Nicole Whitaker

Catherine is a partner in the Hanover, Maryland office. She assists national and state banks, investment banks, consumer and commercial finance companies, mortgage bankers, installment lenders and other licensed lenders in the development and maintenance of nationwide consumer and commercial lending programs. Catherine engages in credit due diligence on behalf of investors in fintech firms, bank partnership platforms, small business lenders, merchant cash advance companies, consumer finance c...

Rochelle S. Eisenberg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Education Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Rochelle S., who practices law in Columbia, Maryland, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rochelle S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen M. Cornelius is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Stephen M., who practices law in Hanover, Maryland, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eric Harlan is a dedicated attorney at Smith, Gildea & Schmidt LLC, focusing on Litigation in Towson, Maryland. With his comprehensive understanding of RESPA and Kickback Schemes, and Mortgage and Financial Services Fraud, Eric is a valuable asset to clients seeking legal support in these areas. He has received recognition from his peers for his professional contributions since 2017. Eric joined Smith, Gildea & Schmidt LLC in 2022, bringing nearly 30 years of trial and appellate exper...

Abba David Poliakoff is Chairman of the Firm's Securities Practice Group and Israel Practice Group, and a member of the Firm's Business Law and Electronic Discovery Practice Groups. After law school, Abba joined the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C., where he became a senior attorney in the Division of Corporation Finance. From 1980 to 1983, when he joined the Firm, Abba was associated with the Wall Street law firm of Cahill, Gordon & Reindel in New ...

Leianne S. McEvoy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Leianne S., who practices law in Baltimore, Maryland, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Leianne S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. O’Meally is an equity member of the labor and education department at Hodes, Pessin & Katz, P.A., and has worked closely with superintendents, boards of education, private schools, and private sector employers for over twenty years on a wide-variety of matters including collective bargaining, employment litigation, student discipline and special education, drug and alcohol issues, construction and procurement issues, and Open Meetings Act compliance. A 1984 graduate of the Unive...

Joy M. Napier-Joyce is a Partner in the Baltimore office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and leader of the firm’s Employee Benefits Practice Group. Ms. Napier-Joyce counsels clients in a broad range of benefit matters, including general compliance and administration of qualified retirement plans under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. She also assists clients with welfare plan issues involving cafeteria plans, health plans, flexible spending accounts, group insurance products, COBRA and HIPAA....

Avery B. Strachan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Real Estate. Avery B., who practices law in Baltimore, Maryland, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Avery B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lorenzo A. Bivans is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships). Lorenzo A., who practices law in Baltimore, Maryland, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lorenzo A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.