Recognition

Forty-Three Offit Kurman Attorneys Named to the 2023 Best Lawyers in America List

August 18, 2022

Four Lawyers Receive “Lawyer of the Year” Recognition; Seven are Honored as “Ones to Watch”

Bethesda, MD | August 18, 2022

Offit Kurman is pleased to announce that forty-three of the firm’s attorneys have been included on the Best Lawyers in America list for 2023. Lawyers throughout each of the firm’s five regions were recognized. In addition, four attorneys were selected as Lawyer of the Year and an additional seven were chosen as Ones to Watch.  Based on over 7-million peer reviews provided by attorneys throughout the country, the rankings are a leading, unbiased source of legal referrals in the United States.

Theodore A. Offit, firm co-founder and Principal, was selected as Lawyer of the Year for his work in Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships). Firm President and Principal, Timothy Lynch also received this award for his work in Real Estate Litigation. Steven D. Stone, an Education Law Principal and Zipporah B. Edwards, a Real Estate Litigation Principal, were also awarded Lawyer of the Year. To be named a Lawyer of the Year, one must receive the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Only one lawyer is recognized as the Lawyer of the Year in each specialty and location.

Attorneys in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch category are extraordinary lawyers who have been in private practice for less than 10 years in the United States. Like traditional Best Lawyers awards, the Ones to Watch recognition is based entirely on peer review.

The Offit Kurman lawyers on the lists are a diverse group of individuals whose practices span various legal service areas, including family law, bankruptcy, insurance, real estate, education law, estates and trusts, business organizations and commercial litigation. Many of the attorneys recognized this year have appeared on the list multiple times.

Links to these attorneys’ biographies, along with their Best Lawyers practice areas and years included on the list, can be found below.

Maryland


Russell B. Berger (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Employment Law - Management

Baltimore Office

Edward A. Bloom (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010)

Real Estate Law (Since 2010); Litigation - Real Estate (Since 2023)

Bethesda Office

Sandra A. Brooks (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2018)

Family Law; Family Law Arbitration

Bethesda Office

William P. Cannon III (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Real Estate Law

Bethesda Office

William E. Erskine (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)

Real Estate Law (Since 2021); Land Use and Zoning Law (Since 2023); Litigation – Construction (Since 2023)

Columbia Office

Michelle L. Evans (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Trusts and Estates

Bethesda Office

Jack A. Garson (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)

Real Estate Law (Since 2013); Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (Since 2023)

Bethesda Office

Cheryl L. Hepfer (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2003)

Family Law (Since 2003); Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law (Since 2023);

Bethesda Office

James M. Hoffman (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)

Litigation – Bankruptcy

Bethesda Office

Robert J. Kresslein (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Banking and Finance Law

Frederick Office

Joyce A. Kuhns  (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007)

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Bankruptcy Litigation

Baltimore Office

Howard K. Kurman (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015)

Employment Law - Management

Baltimore Office

Timothy C. Lynch (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)

Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Real Estate

Baltimore Office

Stephen Metz (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (Since 2021); Litigation - Real Estate (Since 2022); Commercial Litigation (Since 2023); Litigation - Banking and Finance (Since 2023); Litigation – Bankruptcy (Since 2023)

Bethesda Office

Catherine H. McQueen  (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2018)

Family Law

Bethesda Office

Theodore A. Offit (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Baltimore Office

Linda S. Ostovitz (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Family Law; Family Law Mediation

Columbia Office

Keith Schiszik (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Family Law

Frederick Office

David A. Severn (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Real Estate Law

Frederick Office

Bryn H. Sherman (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)

Real Estate Law

Bethesda Office

Fred H. Silverstein (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Family Law

Columbia Office

Pennsylvania


Michael Conley (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010

Insurance Law

Philadelphia Office

Neil A. Morris (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012)

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Philadelphia Office

Joshua Quinter  (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)

Construction Law

Plymouth Meeting Office

Megan E. Smith (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Family Law; Collaborative Law: Family Law

Philadelphia Office

New York


Thomas M. Pitegoff (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)

Franchise Law

New York Office

New Jersey


Louis Tambaro (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Commercial Litigation

Metropark Office

Virginia


Kyle F. Bartol (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015)

Family Law

Tysons Corner Office

Joseph A. Condo (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1983)

Family Law

Tysons Corner Office

C. Thomas Hicks III (Recognized in Best Lawyers from 1989 - 2006, retired from law, then listed again after retirement since 2014)

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Corporate Law; Real Estate Law

Tysons Corner Office

Lauren A. Jenkins (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Trusts and Estates

Tysons Corner Office

Steven David Stone (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)

Education Law

Tysons Corner Office

Washington D.C.


Stephen O. Hessler (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Real Estate Law

Washington, DC Office

Delaware


Katherine Witherspoon Fry (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Employment Law – Management

Wilmington Office

James A. Landon (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023)

Land Use and Zoning Law

Wilmington Office

North Carolina


Paul R. Baynard (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016)

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Charlotte Office

Clayton S. Curry, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011)

Real Estate Law

Charlotte Office

Zipporah B. Edwards (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020)

Litigation – Real Estate (Since 2020); Real Estate Law (Since 2021); Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants (Since 2023)

Charlotte Office

G. Edward Hinshaw, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyerssince 2022)

Corporate Law (Since 2022); Tax Law (Since 2023); Trusts and Estates (Since 2023)

Charlotte Office

Elizabeth T. Hodges (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2008)

Family Law

Charlotte Office

Robert B. McNeill (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)

Insurance Law (Since 2013); Commercial Litigation (Since 2022); Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants (Since 2023); Litigation – Real Estate (Since 2023)

Charlotte Office

H. David Powell (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010)

Real Estate Law

Charlotte Office

South Carolina


James C. Hardin III (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1987)

Trusts and Estates (Since 1987); Litigation - Trusts and Estates (Since 2011)

Rock Hill Office

Ones to Watch


Tracy Buck

Litigation - Real Estate

Washington, DC Office

Gabriel Celii

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Philadelphia Office

M. Jemi Cho

Family Law

Bethesda Office

Samantha H. Kravitz

Family Law

Bethesda Office

Rachel Mech

Commercial Litigation; Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation

Baltimore Office

Franklin C. Miller, Jr.

Construction Law

Philadelphia Office

Gwendolyn Roy-Harrison

Litigation - Real Estate

Baltimore Office

Firm Highlights

  • Events
    MACFO's Inside Successful CEO & CFO Partnerships
    Please join us on September 18 for an event that’s sure to be a home run! ***We will lead off by interviewing our Spotlight Speaker Series guest, Baltimore Orioles CFO, Darline Llamas Llopis.*** After, we will ask ourselves, what separates great companies from good ones? We believe that more often than not, it is the strength of the partnership between the CEO and CFO that matters, so we are bringing you three CEO/CFO leadership teams to learn from. The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore – Andrew Cushnir and Sam Klein Canusa Paper & Packaging – Mike Walter and Vince Salamone Secom, LLC – Toni Toomey and Mourad Awad Join us for an exclusive executive briefing – three tandem presentations followed by a panel discussion - featuring CEOs and CFOs from different but leading organizations as they share candid insights into building trust, navigating difficult decisions, driving strategic growth, and leading through today's business challenges. You'll hear firsthand how these executive teams navigate conflict, align on priorities, and build high-performing organizations. Whether you're a CFO, controller, finance executive, or an aspiring business leader, you'll leave with practical ideas and fresh perspectives you can apply immediately. Meet Our Speakers: Darline Llamas Llopis • Orioles  Chief Financial Officer Darline Llamas Llopis is in her second season with the Orioles as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Prior to joining the Orioles, Llamas Llopis spent four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, and the F1 Miami Grand Prix as Vice President of Finance and Retail. In this capacity, she managed the finance, accounting, payroll, account payables, procurement and merchandise operations for the team and race. She also previously served for four years as the Director of Finance and Controller at the Los Angeles Rams. Llamas Llopis started her career in public accounting with Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers as a member of the Commercial Real Estate practice.  Llamas Llopis completed her MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Management and received her Master of Accountancy from the University of Southern California (USC) where she also graduated cum laude with an undergraduate degree in business. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and is an active CPA. She resides in Baltimore with her husband, Devin, and their son, Santiago. Andrew Cushnir • The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore   President & Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cushnir is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Associated, having started in the role in May 2024. He is the eighth person to serve in this role since The Associated’s founding over 100 years ago. Andrew brings a wealth of experience and a profound dedication to strengthening and enriching the Jewish community. His journey within the Jewish Federation system began as a passionate lay leader and volunteer before he transitioned into serving as a professional. He worked for the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles for twenty years, including in the roles of Chief Planning and Program Officer and Chief Development Officer. During this time, Andrew played a crucial role in reshaping the allocation process and fostering a culture of collaboration and partnership and he also led all annual, project, and emergency fundraising, as well as planned giving efforts. As a member of the Federation’s executive team, he also addressed complex community and organizational issues. Andrew and his wife Sharon Spira-Cushnir, a seasoned nonprofit human services executive, are the proud parents of two children in their early 20s. Sam Klein • The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore  Chief Financial Officer Sam Klein is a seasoned nonprofit finance executive with nearly two decades of experience leading financial strategy, operations, budgeting, and organizational transformation for mission-driven institutions. As Chief Financial Officer of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, he oversees the organization's financial operations, investment stewardship, budgeting processes, risk management, and long-term financial planning, helping advance the Federation's mission of strengthening and supporting Jewish life in Baltimore, Israel, and around the world. Throughout his career, Sam has been recognized for his ability to align financial stewardship with organizational mission, drive process improvements, implement technology solutions, and build high-performing teams. His expertise includes nonprofit finance, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting, investment oversight, financial reporting, compliance, operational excellence, and organizational growth. Sam earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from Syracuse University. Mike Walter • Canusa's Paper & Packaging Chief Executive Officer As Chief Executive Officer of Canusa Paper & Packaging (CPP), Mike Walter leads one of the world's leading independent international brokerages of containerboard and packaging papers. Mike recently celebrated his 20th anniversary with Canusa and has overseen a doubling of the business in the past five years. Mike’s first role at Canusa was an intern before moving into a risk management role. Progressive promotions over the years led Mike to serve as Canusa's Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, as well as General Counsel for its affiliate, Canusa Hershman before becoming the CPP CEO on January 1st, 2025. Mike graduated with a B.S. in Commerce & Engineering from Drexel University before earning his J.D. at the University of Baltimore’s School of Law. Vince Salamone • Canusa's Paper & Packaging Chief Financial Officer Vince Salamone serves as Chief Financial Officer of Canusa Paper & Packaging, overseeing the company's global financial strategy and overall operations, risk management, and other shared services. Since joining Canusa in 2018, Vince has advanced from Corporate Controller to CFO. Prior to Canusa, Vince held senior accounting and financial reporting roles at modular space leader Algeco Scotsman and supply chain real estate operator Realterm, bringing extensive expertise in finance and corporate accounting. He began his career with Deloitte, providing assurance services to clients in aerospace and defense, software, and manufacturing throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Vince attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, earning his B.S. in Accounting in 2012 and his CPA license in 2014. Toni Toomey • Secom, LLC Chief Executive Officer As Chief Executive Officer of Secom, LLC, Toni Toomey leads the company's external vision, culture, and strategic growth. A Howard County native, Toni brings an entrepreneurial spirit and a people-first philosophy to one of Maryland's leading commercial security firms — championing internal promotion and a culture of integrity. Toni serves on the Board of Directors for Maryland Tech Council, the Howard County Chamber, as well as the Steering Committee for the Maryland Rural Tech Network. Mourad Awad • Secom, LLC Chief Financial Officer As Chief Financial Officer of Secom, LLC, Mourad Awad architects the company’s financial strategy, performance, and value creation. A leader, by example, Mourad believes in empowering people and fostering communication. With 20+ years of leadership across private equity, federal contracting, construction, and infrastructure services, Mourad brings a strategic approach to partnering with Toni – CEO to turn vision into precision execution, delivering exceptional value to Secom customers and sustainable growth for SECOM.  Thank You to Our Sponsors