FFT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Alexandra Cobb received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Sweet Briar College and her J.D. from the College of William and Mary Law School. A native of the "DMV" area, Ms. Cobb is admitted to the Maryland and District of Columbia bars, and practices before Maryland District and Circuit Courts, the D.C. Superior Court, the Maryland Parole Commission, the Maryland Workers Compensation Commission and the DC Office of Workers' Compensation. She actively supports community legal programs and open access to quality legal representation, and has provided volunteer/pro bono representation through legal clinics and for clients of the Maryland Office of the Public Defender.
Ms. Cobb's practice primarily focuses on family law, criminal defense, and trusts and estate matters. She also has experience litigating workers compensation claims, contract disputes, medical malpractice and personal injury matters, and real property disputes as both plaintiff's counsel and defense counsel; she now brings this knowledge of "how the other side works" to bear for her individual clients' benefit, and looks forward to assisting you with your legal needs.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Andrew Silverman received his B.A. degree in 2009 from Penn State University and his J.D. degree in 2015 from New England Law - Boston. Mr. Silverman is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association. Mr. Silverman is a general practice attorney experienced in family law, estate planning and commercial litigation.
A. Zachary Tropf graduated from Rice University in 2000 receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree with a triple major in Economics, Managerial Studies, and Statistics. In 2006, he received his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law, where he graduated cum laude. Mr. Tropf is admitted to practice in Maryland and is an active member of the Maryland State Bar Association.
Mr. Tropf has been an associate attorney with Weinstock, Friedman and Friedman, P.A. since 2009. He has been recognized by Legal Shield with a Member's Choice Award. He has experience in various areas of law, including real estate, contracts, collections, and intellectual property.
Job Titles:
- Supervising Attorney
- Supervising Attorney / Education
Benjamin Peters received his B.A. in 2009 from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his J.D. from American University Washington College of Law in 2012. Mr. Peters is a Member of the Maryland State Bar and has practiced in District and Circuit Court through the state of Maryland. Mr. Peters primarily focuses on criminal defense traffic matters, family law and general civil litigation. Prior to working with LegalShield and Friedman, Framme & Thrush, Mr. Peters managed a small firm, where he primarily practiced in Western and Central Maryland. Mr. Peters has a passion for justice, and a desire to see all persons receive excellent representation. He brings that drive to Friedman, Framme & Thrush, and looks forward to assisting you with your legal needs.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Brian Reddan is a graduate of George Mason University and Washington & Lee University School of Law. Mr. Reddan has been a member of the Virginia State Bar for over 10 years. His professional experience has centered on real estate issues.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Deborah Williams Steele graduated from Sweet Briar College where she studied American Government, Political Science and Sociology. She graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1978 and began her corporate and commercial real estate law career at The Rouse Company. Prior to coming to Friedman, Framme & Thrush, she practiced in the commercial real estate and business departments in some of Baltimore's largest firms. Mrs. Steele has concentrated her more than 30 year career in contract law, corporate law, real estate and financing law and continues to focus her practice in those areas.
Mrs. Steele is admitted to practice in the State and Federal Courts of Maryland. She has an AV rating from and was named a Preeminent Woman Attorney by Martindale-Hubble.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Elice Nicole Sturdivant graduated from the Presbyterian College in 2002 receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, with a minor in Music as a violinist. In 2005, she received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Ms. Sturdivant is a volunteer with the Animal Legal Defense Fund. She is admitted to practice in Maryland.
Ms. Sturdivant joined Friedman, Framme & Thrush in 2015. Her interests include various areas of law, including real estate and consumer protection.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Originally from South Carolina, Evani Patel received her B.A. degree in 2016 from the University of South Carolina and her J.D. Degree in 2019 from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law. Ms. Patel has been a member of the Maryland State Bar since 2020. Ms. Patel is a general practice attorney experienced in family law and landlord-tenants disputes. Prior to joining Friedman, Framme, and Thrush, Ms. Patel was an associate with a family law firm in Maryland with a focus primarily on child custody and divorce.
Francis Paul (Frank) Suraci received his B.L.S. and M.A.H.S. degrees from St. Edward's university in Austin, Texas and his J.D. degree from The University of Tulsa College of Law in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Suraci has been a member of the Virginia State Bar since 2007. He is also licensed to practice in Texas and the District of Columbia Bar and is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association as well. In addition, Mr. Suraci has experience in the field of computer technology.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Ms. Kleinman is admitted to practice in Maryland and to the United States District Court, District of Maryland. After graduating law school, Ms. Kleinman provided litigation support for a pharmaceutical company concentrating on vaccine litigation and product liability.
In 2000, after admission to practice in Maryland, Ms. Kleinman honed her litigation skills, initially as a litigation associate for a prestigious law firm. Ms. Kleinman handled personal injury litigation and product liability cases. She also represented insurance companies for worker's compensation hearings.
In 2001, Ms. Kleinman became an Assistant City Solicitor for the Baltimore City Law Department. During her tenure, Ms. Kleinman was Associate Legal Counsel for the Baltimore Police Department. She handled all phases of litigation, including administrative trial boards. Ms. Kleinman provided legal advice to the Police Commissioner and sworn personnel on employment, criminal and administrative law issues. Ms. Kleinman also served as an Assistant Solicitor for the Labor, Employment and Personnel Division. She handled litigation for all state and federal employment cases. In addition, Ms. Kleinman represented the City of Baltimore's agencies and departments for Civil Service hearings. Presently, Ms. Kleinman has a focus on personal injury, product liability, civil litigation, and employment law.
Gary Lees received his BA in History/Secondary Education from Salisbury University, MD in 2004, Master of Public Administration from University of Phoenix in 2014, and his J.D. from UMASS School of Law in 2018. He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in January 2019. Gary established a low bono private practice, Lees Legal, PC, immediately upon being admitted to the Bar and has been involved primarily in Family Law and Housing Law.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
George Weiss is a 2010 graduate of American University Washington College of Law and a 2006 Graduate of the University of Maryland College Park. With experience at various firms including his own which he ran from 2015 to 2020, he has experience in diverse areas such as including criminal, bankruptcy and collection, family, personal injury and worker's compensation.
Gerald F. "Gerry" Keipert graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in Economics, and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1980. Prior to joining Friedman, Framme & Thrush in 2018, Mr. Keipert was engaged in private practice with several Maryland law firms and also as a solo practitioner. He is an accomplished attorney with a strong background in all aspects of family law, personal injury, consumer matters, landlord/tenant, civil litigation, and other general practice matters. Mr. Keipert is licensed in both Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Jack Rhodes received his B.A in History from the University of Maryland in 1999 and his J.D. in 2005. Mr. Rhodes has been a member of the Virginia bar for 15 years and is a general practice attorney with experience in state and federal courts. He has practiced in the areas of civil litigation, business law, contract law, community association law and workers' compensation among others.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal / Education
Jamie Glick received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Towson University where he graduated with a major in Sports Management and a minor is Business Administration in 2000. Mr. Glick attended New England Law/Boston and received his degree of Juris Doctor in 2004.
Mr. Glick began his employment with Friedman, Framme & Thrush in December of 2004. He is the managing attorney overseeing the daily operations of the Retail Collections Department, and became a partner in the firm in 2016. His practice has a primary focus on retail collections and litigation.
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney
- Managing Attorney / Education
Jason E. Solomon attended Washington University in St. Louis where he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. In 1997, he graduated with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law.
Since 2003, Mr. Solomon has been employed with Friedman, Framme & Thrush, and has Six (6) Member's Choice Awards, from Legal Shield. He is also Supervising Attorney in our Legal Shield department. He is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia. He focuses in general practice areas, including business law, real estate and bankruptcy. Following law school, he worked as a judicial law clerk for Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Evelyn Omega Cannon.
Jennifer McKeever received her B.A. from the University of Virginia before heading to law school at American University's Washington College of Law. Jennifer started her career in civil legal services before moving to private general practice. She has extensive experience with Wills and Estates, Family Law, Landlord/Tenant, and Contracts, in addition to many other civil areas. Jennifer has been on the School Board in her jurisdiction for more than a decade.
Jessica Day first earned her A.S. degree in business finance in 1995 from Mount Washington College. Ms. Day worked as a financial advisor before later returning to Mount Washington College in 2013 to complete her B.A. degree in Criminal Justice. Ms. Day then attended Massachusetts School of Law, earning her J.D. degree. Ms. Day has been a member of the Massachusetts State Bar since 2017 and the United States District Court, District of Massachusetts since 2018. Ms. Day is a general practice attorney experienced in business formation and contract negotiation, landlord tenant disputes, debt litigation and criminal defense.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Supervising Attorney
- Supervising Attorney / Education
Jordan Selzer attended the University of Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1997. In 2000, he received his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law.
Mr. Selzer is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Mr. Selzer has been an associate attorney with Friedman, Framme & Thrush since 2002. Mr. Selzer focuses his practice on personal injury and workers' compensation, however he is well versed in many areas of the law, including administrative law and landlord/tenant law. While Mr. Selzer typically represents injured workers and Plaintiffs in negligence cases, he has also represented many uninsured drivers and uninsured employers. Mr. Selzer has tried countless cases in Maryland District Court, Maryland Circuit Court and the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission, and The Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Mr. Selzer was born and raised in New York and now lives in Howard County, Maryland with his wife and two children. Outside of work Mr. Selzer attends his son's soccer games and his daughter's dance recitals. Mr. Selzer is an avid fan of Bruce Springsteen and the New York Rangers.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Katherine Tarter is a general practice attorney with an emphasis on family law, civil and criminal litigation, business law and real estate. Ms. Tarter was managing partner of a multi office general practice firm in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, Virginia and worked as a LegalShield referral attorney prior to joining Framme Law Firm in 2011
Kathryn received her B.A. degree in 2006 from Roanoke College in Salem, VA and her J.D. degree in 2017 from the University of Baltimore, School of Law. Kathryn has been a member of the Maryland State Bar for 3 years but has over 15 years experience in the legal profession. Kathryn is a general practice attorney experienced in estate planning and bankruptcy.
Attorney O'Neill has represented and insureds and insurers, consumers and manufacturers, individuals and corporations, small businesses and state agencies in a wide range of litigation and appellate matters since his admission to the Florida bar in 1986 in a multi-state law practice that includes Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. He has significant experience in the plaintiff and defense claims involving negligence, contracts, landlord-tenant, family law, motor vehicle, dram shop and premises liability, as well as commercial, bankruptcy, land use and government law claims before administrative agencies and numerous state and federal trial and appellate courts.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Kristin Jacobson received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington in 1994, followed by her J.D. from the College of William and Mary in 1997. She has been licensed to practice law in Virginia since 2002. Prior to joining Friedman, Framme & Thrush , Ms. Jacobson worked as a real estate attorney in northern Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Maria DeLacy received her B.A. degree in English from Loyola College of Maryland in 1996 and her J.D. degree from Widener University School of Law in 1999. Ms. DeLacy became a member of the Maryland bar in 2001, the United States District Court, Maryland in 2007 and the United States Supreme Court in 2016.
Following law school, Ms. DeLacy worked as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Judge John C. Themelis in the Baltimore City Circuit Court. Prior to joining Friedman, Framme & Thrush, Ms. DeLacy served as in-house counsel for a large insurance company and as an associate attorney for a small law firm. Ms. DeLacy has extensive litigation experience having tried numerous court and jury trials throughout the state of Maryland. In addition, Ms. DeLacy has argued before the Maryland Appellate Court on several occasions, one of which resulted in a reported opinion.
Ms. DeLacy's focus is on personal injury and family law.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Mary Griffith graduated magna cum laude from the College of William and Mary with a major in English Literature and Minor in French and Francophone Studies in 2016. She earned her J.D. from Boston University's School of Law in 2019. She is a member of both the Massachusetts and Maryland bars. Ms. Griffith is a general practice attorney with a focus on Family Law and Trusts and Estates.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Matthew S. Hall received his B.A. in Criminology & Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland College Park in 2003, and his J.D. degree from the University of Massachusetts School of Law-Dartmouth in 2007. Mr. Hall has been an active member of the Maryland State Bar for over 10 years.
Mr. Hall is a general practice attorney experienced in family law, consumer protection, child in need of assistance (C.I.N.A), foreclosure defense, criminal law, landlord/tenant, and administrative law matters.
In his spare time, Mr. Hall enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter and their rescue pets.
Meredith Maust graduated Cum Laude from George Mason University before receiving her J.D. degree from Regent University School of Law in 2014. Meredith has been an active member of the Virginia State Bar since 2014. She is a general practice attorney experienced in family law, estate and trust litigation, and guardianship matters.
Mia Folger Benson received her bachelors degree from Loyola college in 2003 and her Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall Law School in 2006. Mrs. Benson has been a member of th3 Virginia State Bar since 2015. She previously practiced in New Jersey and New York.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
- Member of the Maryland State Bar Association
Mr. Townsend graduated from Stevenson University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies. After working as a paralegal in a criminal defense law firm and an insurance defense law firm, he returned to school and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2016.
During law school, Mr. Townsend worked as a law clerk for a firm in the Baltimore City area. Following law school, Mr. Townsend was offered a position as an associate attorney handling landlord/tenant, workers compensation, bankruptcy, family law, probate, civil litigation, employment, and criminal matters. Mr. Townsend's focus has been on the assistance of others in their legal time of need.
Mr. Townsend is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and is licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal / Education
Owen Hare received his Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University in 2006 where he graduated with a Major in Political Science and a Minor in History. Mr. Hare attended the Tulane University Law School and obtained his Juris Doctorate in 2009. He also received a Certificate in Admiralty and Maritime Law and worked for the Tulane University Domestic Violence Clinic.
Mr. Hare worked as the Managing Attorney of Florida Bankruptcy at a large national law firm for several years handling a wide spectrum of creditor rights and bankruptcy matters for secured and unsecured creditors. Mr. Hare also worked as the managing partner of a firm he started handling creditor's rights and bankruptcy work for creditors before joining Friedman, Framme & Thrush. P.A., in April, 2016.
Mr. Hare works in the collections department of Friedman, Framme & Thrush. P.A.. His practice has a primary focus on commercial collections and litigation. Mr. Hare is licensed to practice in Florida and Maryland.
Job Titles:
- Supervising Attorney
- Supervising Attorney / Education
Mary Rachel Barnhill is general practice attorney with experience in personal injury, contracts, consumer law, employment law, real estate and landlord tenant law. Prior to joining Friedman, Framme & Thrush, Ms. Barnhill practiced personal injury, real estate law, and Federal Black Lung litigation. Ms. Barnhill also served as adjunct faculty in contract and employment law at American National University, served as a magistrate for the City of Roanoke, and provided pro bono services for Legal Aid Society of the Roanoke Valley.
Rachel Rojeski received her political science degree from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana and her J.D. degree from Regent Univeristy in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is a member of the Virginia State Bar. Prior to joining Freidman, Framme, and Thrush, she practiced in criminal law and bankruptcy.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Principal / Education
Rebecca A. Carter graduated cum laude from Frostburg State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in both Political Science and Justice Studies. Ms. Carter received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law and became a member of the Maryland Bar in 2003. Ms. Carter is also barred in the District of Columbia and Virginia.
After a period of private practice in domestic and tax law at a boutique firm, Ms. Carter joined Friedman, Framme & Thrush in 2004. She is currently a principal at the firm and manages our LegalShield Department. Ms. Carter is involved in overseeing daily operations of Legal Shield, including the management of all associate attorneys supporting LegalShield. Beyond the management of LegalShield, she primarily focuses her practice on domestic/family law and child advocacy, as well as consumer rights and general practice areas.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Member of the Pace Law Review
Ruth Kochard is a general practice attorney with an emphasis on contract and commercial law. Ruth is a member of the Pace Law Review. She has received Am Jur Awards in Commercial Transactions II, Securities Regulation and Wills. She also act as online instructor for Equine Law courses with horsecoursesonline.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Ryan Hershey is a native of Richmond, Virginia. He is a graduate of James Madison University and the Florida Coastal School of Law. Following law school, Mr. Hershey completed his 3rd year Virginia State Bar internship at the Amelia County Commonwealth's Attorney Office. Since then, he has concentrated his focus on traffic and criminal matters. He also has experience in general litigation and Landlord/Tenant law.
Prior to joining Friedman, Framme & Thrush in March of 2018, Mr. Hershey worked in Southwestern Virginia practicing criminal law.
Sara Vaughn received her B.A. degree in 2011 from Coastal Carolina University and her J.D. degree in 2016 from Regent University School of Law. Ms. Vaughn has been a member of the Virginia State Bar for 5 years. Prior to working at Friedman||Framme & Thrush||Ms. Vaughn had her own law firm. Ms. Vaughn's practice has included a range of civil litigation||criminal and family law. Ms. Vaughn is qualified as a guardian ad litem and was a member of the American Bar Association||Phi Alpha Delta|, the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Henrico Bar Association.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Shannon C. Forrest received her B.A. degree in 2005 from Houghton College, and her J.D. degree in 2010 from Regent University School of Law. She has been licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia for over a decade, focusing her previous practice on family law and estate planning matters. She also has experience in general civil litigation and criminal defense.
Ms. Forrest lives in Williamsburg with her husband, Jeremy Forrest, and her Tuxedo cat, Thaddeus.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Sharon Phillips received her B.A. degree in 1992 from West Virginia University and her J.D. in 1996 from West Virginia University School of Law. Ms. Phillips has been a member of the Virginia State Bar since 1997. Ms. Phillips is a general practice attorney. She has served as corporate counsel to leading information technology companies dealing in commercial and government contracting. She has practiced in the areas of criminal and traffic as well as family law.
Job Titles:
- Senior Counsel
- Senior Counsel / Education
Sidney S. Friedman graduated Cum Laude from the University of Maryland in 1969, with a B.A. in history, and received a J.D. from the University of Maryland Law School in 1974. Mr. Friedman served in the U.S. Army Reserves and National Guard from 1970-1975. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1974 and the Washington D.C. Bar in 1999. He has been with the Firm since 1974 and became President of the Firm in 2000. He served as President of the Commercial Law League of America, an organization of lawyers and laymen who promote the commercial practice of law, from 2006-2007.
Mr. Friedman enjoys an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, and has been recognized as a top attorney in Maryland by both Martindale-Hubbell and Baltimore Magazine, and has been a Baltimore Magazine Super Lawyer in 2015 and 2016. He has also been recognized as a creditor rights specialist by the Academy of Commercial & Bankruptcy Law Specialists. Mr. Friedman, a member of the Maryland State Bar and Washington D. C. Bar, is admitted to practice in both state and federal courts in those jurisdictions, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
- Member of the Maryland State Bar Association
Ms. Kays graduated from the University of Scranton in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and minors in History, Philosophy and Psychology. After working as a paralegal in major law firms, she returned to school and received her Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1998.
Following law school, Ms. Kays worked as a judicial law clerk in the criminal and probate divisions of the Superior Court of New Jersey. Prior to joining Friedman, Framme & Thrush, Ms. Kays practiced in the area of corporate contracts on behalf of Fortune 500 telecommunications companies and government healthcare contractors. She also has experience in general litigation, and estate planning and administration. Ms. Kays' volunteer focus has been on the welfare of children, the homeless and the incarcerated.
Ms. Kays is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and the MSBA Estate and Trust Law Section. She is licensed to practice law in Maryland, the District of Columbia and New Jersey.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Tamar Alexia Fleishman graduated from Goucher College with a degree in Political Science and studied Violin Performance with Daniel Heifetz at The Peabody Conservatory/The Johns Hopkins University. In 1993, she graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law and became a member of the Maryland Bar.
For well over a decade, Ms. Fleishman was a trial attorney practicing in the areas of juvenile and adult criminal defense, family law and landlord-tenant matters in Baltimore City and surrounding counties. Ms. Fleishman has appeared on many national television shows and has been recognized by Daily Record publication for her achievements in law.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Attorney / Education
Tina Kingwood is a general practice attorney with experience in criminal, family and contract law. Prior to joining Friedman, Framme & Thrush, Ms. Kingwood practiced criminal law as an Assistant Public Defender and as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney. Ms. Kingwood served as a magistrate for the Office of the Executive Secretary under the Supreme Court of Virginia and also has prior experience in both the real estate and mortgage industries.
Job Titles:
- Managing Principal
- Shareholder
- Managing Principal / Education
Bill Thrush is a shareholder and the Managing Partner of Friedman, Framme & Thrush. Bill is an experienced trial attorney and has tried cases at all levels of court throughout the state of Maryland, as well as the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Bill's practice is currently focused on Banking and Commercial Finance, Commercial Loan Workout, Creditor's Rights, and Corporate General Counsel Portfolio Management. In addition to his current practice focus, Bill has substantial experience in Contract Law, Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation, Family Law, and General Litigation. In his spare time, Bill enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, coaching youth lacrosse, scuba diving, and playing guitar.