In a rare defection by a name partner, Louis J. Ulman is leaving the firm formerly called Hodes, Ulman, Pessin & Katz. Effective Friday, Ulman will be a senior partner at Maple Lawn-based Offit Kurman. "We are just ecstatic and thrilled," said partner Theodore A. Offit  "To be able to get someone like Lou with a Howard County presence... it really solidifies us" as a leading firm in the country. Offtit noted that Ulman and his family have deep roots in Howard County. He has been involved in community and charitable activities, and his son, Ken Ulman, was elected county executive last November.

Louis Ulman, 60, was with Hodes, Ulman , Pessin & Katz for 15 years. Stanley J. Neuhauser, who worked with Ulman in the firm's estate planning practice, will follow him to Offit Kurmn. Hodes, Pessin
& Katz founder Michael C. Hodes said that he was "disappointed" but not surprised to learn of Ulman's decision. "He has talked over the years of his desire potentially to move on and do certain things with his life," Hodes said.

Ulman and Offit have known each other for years and, Ulman said, sometimes talked about practicing together. Recently, Ulman approached Offit Kurman about joining the firm. "He indicated he was ready to make a move and we're thrilled... that he selected us," Offit said. Asked about his reasons for switching, Ulman cited the size of Offit Kurman' Howard County office. While Hodes, Ulman, Pessin  & Katz talked of increasing the size of its Columbia office, Ulman said, it never quite happened. That office had seven lawyers including himself and Neuhauser, while Offit Kurman's Maple Lawn office has about two dozen, he said. He said working in a bigger office will help his business.

"It's an opportunity to work with a firm that's headquartered in Howard County, and I'll be surrounded by lots of other lawyers that work in areas I think will be helpful," Ulman said. Specifically, he cited partner Maurice Offit, who he said is a leading authority in asset protection law. Many of his business clients could use Offit's services, Ulman said. He said Offit Kurman's aspirations to become a regional firm are also attractive. The firm has small offices in Owings Mills, Bel Air, Rockville & Philadelphia, with plans to expand to Northern Virginia, where Ulman has many clients, he said. Ulman will bring to Offit Kurman not only his own clients but those of his son, who gave up his law practice upon being elected county executive.

Hodes said he will miss Ulman, whom he considers a close friend, and would have liked to see him stay at the firm. However, he emphasized that Hodes, Pessin & Katz has many other lawyers who are strong in Ulman's specialties, estate planning and elder law. He acknowledged that Ulman and Neuhauser are not the only recent departures - three non-equity partners have left this year - but said he is not worried. "I don't know how to put it gracefully, but when you lose non-equity partners, they're not the business - getting partners," They're more service partners." He said it is common for lawyers at that level to make lateral moves, especially at the beginning of the year, after the holiday bonus season. He also said the firm is very profitable and, departures aside, under steady leadership. "The key core people are here every day running the firm and going on, business as usual," Hodes said. "That's what you have to do in these cases."