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Seven Paley Rothman attorneys—including Paula A. Calimafde, Glenn M. Cooper, Hope B. Eastman, Jeffrey A. Kolender, Roy I. Niedermayer, Linda D. Schwartz and Howard B. Soypher—have been named Maryland Super Lawyers for 2012, while Bibi M. Berry was included in the “Maryland Rising Stars” category. Mr. Cooper, Mr. Soypher and Ms. Berry were chosen for their work in “Family Law.” Ms. Calimafde was recognized for “Employee Benefits/ERISA,” Ms. Eastman for “Employment Litigation/Defense,” Mr. Kolender for “Estate Planning & Probate,” Mr. Niedermayer for “Business Litigation” and Ms. Schwartz for “Real Estate.” The list of honorees, which is comprised of only 5% of the licensed, active attorneys in each jurisdiction, is created in part through a statewide survey of lawyers that solicits nominations based on professional achievement.

The firm has hired Allison L. Lee, formerly a tax consultant with the Comptroller of Maryland’s Office, as an associate in the Estate Planning, Estate/Trust Administration and Business/Commercial Transactions practice groups. A cum laude graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, Ms. Lee also worked at the Annapolis District Court of Maryland where she played a key role in creating the court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution program. She is a member of the Maryland Bar and a Qualified Mediator in the state.

Paley Rothman was included in the Dec. 2011 Fortune Magazine’s list of the country’s top-ranked law firms, based on Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Ratings of those firms with the highest percentage of attorneys achieving an AV Preeminent rating. More than 250,000 law firms around the country were rated, and of that total, less than 1,000 firms were selected based on the attorney’s high ethical standards and professional ability.

Jeffrey A. Kolender was among the featured speakers at a recent seminar for financial planners hosted by the Montgomery College Foundation Planned Giving Committee. Mr. Kolender, the chair of the firm’s Estate Planning and Estate/Trust Administration practice groups, discussed charitable trusts and other charitable gifting options, and offered insights and options for how they can be used to benefit both the charity and the donor.

Roy I. Niedermayer, David P. Shapiro and Patricia M. Weaver were included among the region’s “Legal Elite” top business law attorneys in a recent Washington SmartCEO special survey of area CEO’s. Mr. Niedermayer and Ms. Weaver are members of Paley Rothman’s Litigation and Appellate Practice groups while Mr. Shapiro belongs to the firm’s Business/Commercial Transactions and Mergers/Acquisitions groups.

Glenn M. Cooper and Howard B. Soypher were each chosen among the Washington area’s “Best Lawyers” in the December 2011 Washingtonian Magazine. Both attorneys were named in the “Divorce Law” category; it was Mr. Cooper’s fifth such honor and the third for Mr. Soypher. Paley Rothman was one of very few firms in Bethesda to have multiple awardees in the particular practice group.

Paley Rothman’s Family Law and Real Estate practice groups were each selected in the 2011-12 U.S. News & World Report “Best Law Firms” rankings of national and Washington, D.C. area firms. The Family Law group received “Tier 1” recognition among metropolitan area firms while Real Estate was a Tier 2 choice. These second annual “Best Law Firm” rankings are based on a combination of peer reviews, client assessments and a mix of other qualitative and quantitative data.

Jeffrey A. Kolender, chair of the firm’s Estate Planning and Estate/Trust Administration practice groups, has been named to a three-year term as a member of the Montgomery College Foundation Planned Giving Committee. He will offer financial and estate-related counsel to foundation members, the Director of Gift Planning and potential donors, and conduct seminars on charitable gifting and other relevant topics.

Deborah A. Cohn, a member of the firm’s Estate Planning, Estate/Trust Administration, Tax, Employee Benefits and Retirement Plans practice groups, participated in a National Business Institute seminar entitled “The Probate Process From Start to Finish.” Ms. Cohn’s presentations—”Taking the First Step: Filing an Estate in Probate Court” and “Understanding the Role of the Personal Representative in Probate”—focused on the critical steps in the probate of an estate, the appointment, specific powers and duties of the personal representative, and his or her removal under certain circumstances.

Patricia M. Weaver, chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice group, has been named one of the winners of The Daily Record’s “Leadership in Law” Award for 2011. This award is given in recognition of outstanding work done by members of the legal community throughout the state of Maryland who devote considerable time and energy to bettering the legal profession as well as the communities in which they live and work.

James R. Hammerschmidt was recognized for his distinguished service to and leadership of the Federal Bar Association’s (FBA) Labor & Employment Law Section at the recent FBA Annual Meeting in Chicago. The meeting included an Awards Program in which the association acknowledges the outstanding service and achievements of members who volunteer their time to oversee and implement the activities of more than 25 sections/divisions representing a wide range of practice areas. Mr. Hammerschmidt has been a member of the Labor and Employment Law Section Board of Governors for six years and most recently served as the Chair of the Section, whose members include labor and employment lawyers from across the country who regularly practice in the federal courts.

Hope B. Eastman, chair of the firm’s Employment Law practice group, has been elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Strathmore Hall Foundation. The Board of Directors, comprised of representatives appointed by the County Executive and County Council along with members elected by the Board itself, oversees the operation of the Strathmore Music Center and its allied programs. The Board works to ensure Strathmore’s success and growth in a responsible and proactive manner.