Cortlan Hitch

Steven R. Director (Steve) is senior counsel at Bayard. Steve has over 40 years of experience in private practice in the areas of business transactions, tax, trust planning and administration (both personal and corporate), estate planning and administration, and business succession planning. Through a “hands-on” approach, Steve develops effective strategies and follow-through steps to assist his entity and individual clients form, acquire, and sell businesses, resolve significant ...

Chase Brockstedt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Chase, who practices law in Lewes, Delaware, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chase is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John W. Paradee is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. John W., who practices law in Dover, Delaware, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Anthony W. Clark has handled high-profile bankruptcy-related matters for diverse industry giants with transactions ranging in the multibillions. With decades of experience representing debtors, creditors, and acquirers, he regularly advises on corporate, securities, and general litigation matters. The former head of a major law firm’s Delaware Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Litigation Practice for more than 25 years, he focuses his practice on Chapter 11 debtor ...

Ann L. Martino Frazier prepares complex estate plans for high net worth individuals. With her extensive background in corporate law and international tax, as well as all aspects of Delaware and Pennsylvania trusts and estate law, she offers a comprehensive approach to estate planning that is unique in her field. Ann is also well recognized for the compassion she brings to her work. Having suffered the sudden loss of her spouse while still a young mother, she understands the financial and emot...

Kristen Bennett is passionate about the law and enjoys helping her clients navigate potentially confusing areas of estate planning, as well as estate and trust administration, with care, understanding and compassion. She keeps abreast of the ever-changing laws that affect her clients so that she can give them the most up-to-date information possible. Practicing in the firm’s Greater Wilmington, Delaware office, Kristen also provides counsel on taxation and tax planning for individuals a...

Peter Keane is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Peter, who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shawn Tucker is an accomplished and well-respected real-estate attorney who has successfully quarterbacked some of Delaware’s largest development projects – from negotiating complex purchase agreements to obtaining final land use approvals in short order. In fact, Shawn’s unique background makes him a natural choice for developers and business leaders looking to expand in Delaware. Prior to entering private practice, Shawn served as New Castle County’s First Assistant ...

Curtis P. Bounds is a director at Bayard and is the senior attorney in its Family Law Group. He has practiced law at Bayard since he graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1990. Curtis is experienced in all areas of domestic relations law –adoption, alimony, child support, custody, dependency/neglect, divorce, equitable distribution of property, petitions for protection from abuse, prenuptial agreements, separation agreements, termination of parental rights and visit...

Michael DeNote is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Michael, who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.