Bethesda, MD – (August 10, 2023) – Offit Kurman is pleased to announce the appointment of seven new practice group leaders.
Candace Dellacona, Practice Group Leader, Estates and Trusts North
Candace Dellacona focuses her practice on serving individuals and families throughout their lives. She creates personalized wills, trusts and medical directives to safeguard assets and address significant life events. Candace offers counsel in various areas, such as estate planning, elder law advocacy, special needs planning and more. She also assists the “sandwich generation” in balancing caregiving and financial responsibilities, provides guidance in mid-life planning for sophisticated estate needs, advocates for the well-being of the elderly, helps young adults with essential documents and works with the LGBTQ+ and sports/entertainment communities to create tailored estate plans.
James Landon, Practice Group Leader, Real Estate
James (“Jim”) Landon has extensive experience in real estate investment and construction. Since 2002, he has focused on real estate transactions and land use, representing individuals and private and public companies in property purchase, sale, leasing, financing and development. Jim also advises lenders and title insurance companies on commercial purchases and refinancing. Clients often describe Jim as an attorney with the legal skills necessary for complex real estate transactions and projects but also possesses the construction and finance background to understand the deal’s business aspects.
Meghan McCulloch, Practice Group Leader, Estates and Trusts South
Meghan McCulloch represents clients throughout the state of Maryland, focusing on creating and developing estate plans, administering probate estates and trusts, guardianships, and special needs planning. She customizes estate plans to meet individual goals, navigating complex family dynamics with compassion and knowledge. Her experience in administering estates and trusts allows her to effectively advocate for her clients, both in representing fiduciaries as well as beneficiaries.
Sarah Sawyer, Practice Group Leader, Labor and Employment
Sarah Sawyer is a highly experienced labor and employment attorney providing businesses with valuable counsel on day-to-day employment-related issues, ensuring that her clients can find the best solutions while being protected from legal risks. Sarah helps companies navigate the complex landscape of compliance issues, employee relations, and litigation. Additionally, Sarah has a specialized practice working with FedEx contractors, providing industry-specific legal advice and guidance for their unique needs.
Anders Sleight, Practice Group Leader, Commercial Litigation South
Anders Sleight is an experienced trial attorney specializing in efficient dispute resolution. He has represented businesses, banks, credit unions, property managers and owners and individuals in Virginia and the District of Columbia. Anders’ litigation practice extends to commercial disputes, real estate matters, domestic disputes and estates and trusts litigation. With a strong knowledge of local practices and judges, he guides clients from case initiation through trial, seeking swift and just resolutions whenever possible.
Franny Wilburn, Practice Group Leader, Creditors’ Rights, Reorganization and Bankruptcy
Frances (“Franny”) Wilburn is a commercial litigator and bankruptcy attorney, serving national and community-based lenders, real estate owners and property managers. She excels in various areas such as secured transactions, property dispositions, foreclosures, creditors’ rights and commercial leasing. Franny is highly regarded for her courtroom knowledge and pragmatic guidance, managing claims of all sizes with equal dedication. Her clients trust her with sensitive and high-value matters, and she effectively advocates for them in all stages of litigation and enforcement. Additionally, she has extensive experience handling transactional matters for financial institutions and real estate owners.
Marshall Yaap, Practice Group Leader, Family Law Central
Marshall Yaap represents clients in domestic and international family law matters. His practice focuses on child custody, child support, divorce, property division, alimony, domestic violence cases, marital and premarital contracts, jurisdictional disputes under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), and cases brought pursuant to the Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. With experience as a judicial law clerk and a background in journalism, Marshall brings valuable insights to his practice. He also represents clients in guardianship and conservatorship matters for children and adults. Additionally, Marshall represents clients in peace order matters, anti-stalking cases, and civil restraining orders.
Offit Kurman would also like to recognize the outgoing practice group leaders for their commitment and dedication to their groups – Brian McLaughlin (Estates and Trusts), Umar Sheikh (Real Estate), Scott Kamins (Labor and Employment), Thomas Repczynski (Commercial Litigation South), Albena Petrakov (Creditors’ Rights, Reorganization and Bankruptcy), and Marjorie Just (Family Law Central).
