Mark A. Binstock, a principal with the firm’s Litigation practice group, was a speaker at the recent 11th Annual Solo and Small Business Conference sponsored by the Maryland State Bar Association. Mr. Binstock’s presentation to the attorneys in attendance was on “Avoiding Mistakes in Estate Planning.”
David P. Shapiro made a presentation on the legal considerations of professional businesses engaging in social media. Mr. Shapiro belongs to Paley Rothman’s Business/Commercial Transactions, Mergers/Acquisitions, Health Law and Employment Law practice groups.
Paula A. Calimafde, the chair of the firm’s Retirement Plans, Employee Benefits and Government Relations practice groups, recently participated in the U.S. Small Business Administration Pension Roundtable that included Treasury and IRS officials, representatives of small business associations and private practitioners. Ms. Calimafde, who chairs the Small Business Council of America, joined with the other panelists in discussing a variety of estate tax, retirement plan and cafeteria plan issues.
Roy I. Niedermayer and Arthur G. House were included among the business law “go to attorneys” in a reader poll conducted by Washington SmartCEO. Mr. Niedermayer is a principal of the firm and a member of its Litigation and Appellate Practice groups. Mr. House, also a Paley Rothman principal, is a member of the Business/Commercial Transactions and Computer, Internet & Technology groups and chairs the Alternative Dispute Resolution group.
Robert H. Maclay and Deborah A. Cohn in November made their twice-a-year presentation on estate planning as part of the World Bank Pension Department’s Pre-Retirement Planning Series. Mr. Maclay, a member of the firm’s Estate Planning, Estate/Trust Administration, Tax and Health Law practice groups, spoke to unmarried U.S. citizens and couples comprised of two U.S. citizens on taking advantage of state and federal estate tax exemptions, the use of trusts and a variety of other topics of interest to the participants. Ms. Cohn, who also belongs to Paley Rothman’s Estate Planning, Estate/Trust Administration and Tax groups, provided an overview presentation on basic estate planning (e.g., defining and differentiating between a will, a revocable trust, power of attorney, medical directive, probate and its advantages and disadvantages) and then addressed non-U.S. citizens on a variety of issues, including the different tax systems that apply to individuals who are—and are not—domiciled in the U.S. for estate tax purposes, the federal estate tax exemption available in both scenarios and those assets subject to or exempt from tax in both situations. Ms. Cohn also chaired a full-day MICPEL program on Will Drafting and discussed ethics, standard of care and attorney-client privilege in addition to speaking on certain non-dispositive provisions, including probate avoidance strategies, beneficiary designations and joint property.
Patricia M. Weaver, chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice group and a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Litigation groups, was recently the subject of the Washington Business Journal’s “People & Community” profile. The question-and-answer piece—entitled “Mediating on mediation”—focused on her being the president-elect of the Bar Association of Montgomery County and the professional and personal experiences that have played a major role in her life.
Five Paley Rothman attorneys have been selected by their peers in the legal community for inclusion in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Glenn M. Cooper and Kathleen M. Dumais were chosen in the “Family Law” category. Daniel P. Hodin and Linda D. Schwartz were named in “Real Estate Law.” Hope B. Eastman (Labor & Employment Law) also received recognition.
Patricia M. Weaver, chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice group, has been elected to serve as president of the Bar Association of Montgomery County (BAMC) in 2010-11. She is a two-time winner of the BAMC’s Chair of the Year Award for her work heading up the group’s Fee Dispute Committee and its Social Committee, and is a past president of the Women’s Bar Association of Montgomery County. Bibi M. Berry, a member of the Family Law practice group, was elected to serve on the BAMC Executive Committee. She already sits on that organization’s Case Watch Committee of the Family Law Section, and is a member of the Diversity Committee of the Maryland Association for Justice (formerly Maryland Trial Lawyers’ Association).
Paley Rothman recently received a Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation from Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett for its years of outstanding dedication, leadership and service to the Jewish community. An event was held at the firm’s office in mid-May at which Mr. Leggett made the official presentation to co-Managing Principals Robert H. Maclay and Ronald A. Dweck, and Presidential Title President Daniel P. Hodin.
David P. Shapiro and Bibi M. Berry have been named principals of the firm. Mr. Shapiro, a member of the Business/Commercial Transactions, Mergers/Acquisitions, Health Law and Employment Law practice groups, represents individuals and business entities in a broad range of general business, commercial and complex transactional matters. Ms. Berry, who devotes most of her practice to matters relating to the firm’s Family Law practice group, is certified as a Best Interest Attorney throughout the state of Maryland, allowing her to represent minor children in contested custody and visitation cases.
Arthur G. House, who chairs the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution practice group, has been appointed to the National Roster of the American Arbitration Association (AAA). The roster of over 8,000 impartial experts or “neutrals” includes preeminent arbitrators who are selected and trained to hear and resolve arbitration cases around the country. Mr. House was previously appointed to the AAA’s Panel of Mediators, an honor bestowed only to those with extensive mediation experience and training.
Daniel S. Koch, the head of the firm’s Government Contracts practice group, made a presentation in April to the Patuxent Partnership entitled “Mandatory Disclosure Rule—Preventing Violations Becomes Even More Critical For (Government) Contractors.” The organization, which describes itself as “southern Maryland’s gateway to a world-class technology community,” boasts a membership consisting of government offices and agencies, local businesses and academic institutions.