BMBFC - Key Persons
A. Wray Fitch, IV is a partner at BMBFC who concentrates his practice on representing individuals injured as a result of medical malpractice.
Wray earned his undergraduate degree in psychology in 2006 from Miami University, and his Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School in 2011, with high honors. During law school, he interned with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia and was a student volunteer with the GW Innocence Project in Washington, D.C. Wray also worked as a judicial intern at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Office of the Magistrate Judges. After law school, Wray clerked for the Honorable Terrence J. McGann and for the Honorable Joseph M. Quirk of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland.
During the next five years, Wray gained significant and successful jury trial experience representing health care providers in medical malpractice and wrongful death actions. Since 2018, Wray has exclusively represented victims of medical malpractice in Maryland and Washington, D.C. His trial work on behalf of medical malpractice victims has resulted in numerous awards and accolades, including recognition by topverdict.com for one of the nation's top 100 medical malpractice verdicts in 2019.
In his free time, Wray enjoys boating, fly fishing, and spending time with his wife and children.
Job Titles:
- LLC Barbara Snapp Danberg Partner
- LLC Brian V. DeMott Attorney
- LLC Catherine M. Cramer Attorney
- LLC Chase T. Brockstedt Partner
- LLC Daniel J. DeMott Attorney
- LLC Donald L. Logan Attorney
- LLC John W. Paradee Partner
- LLC Mackenzie M. Peet Attorney
- LLC MATTHEW P. LEGG ATTORNEY
- LLC Nicole M. Faries Attorney
- LLC PHILIP C. FEDERICO Partner
- LLC Rebecca N. Doyle Attorney
- LLC Stephen a. Spence Partner
- LLC Stephen W. Spence Attorney
- LLC TARA CLARY PARTNER
- LLC Victoria K. Petrone Partner
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Estates and Trusts Section of the Delaware Bar
Barbara is a partner at the firm and practices in the areas of estate and trust planning and administration, tax, business and succession planning. She represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service and fiduciaries and beneficiaries concerning trusts. Taking a personal approach, she guides small business owners from the formation and choice of entity to retirement and succession planning.
Barbara is a member of the Estates and Trusts Section of the Delaware Bar, member of the Wilmington Tax Group, and The Estate Planning Council of Delaware. She is a three-time recipient of Delaware Today's "Five Star Delaware Wealth Manager": 2011-2013 and was named Top Lawyer in Delaware Today for Estate and Trusts in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. She is a frequent speaker for tax-exempt entities on tax issues as well as estate and trust issues.
Brian V. DeMott was born in Seaford, Delaware in 1989. He graduated from high school in 2007 and went on to attend the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He graduated from Mary Washington in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
After college, Brian returned to Delaware and attended the Delaware Law School of Widener University.
After graduating with honors from the Delaware Law School in 2014, Brian served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable T. Henley Graves of the Superior Court of the State of Delaware before entering civil practice. Thereafter, Brian entered private practice as a civil litigator
Brian is part of the firm's Mass Tort & Environmental Litigation team and has assisted clients in class action litigation in obtaining favorable results to improve environmental conditions and health hazards in their communities as well as substantial compensation. Most recently, Brian was part of the team that obtained a $65 Million class action settlement in Millsboro, Delaware for property damages and personal injuries related to air and groundwater contamination claims.
When Brian is not working cases with the Mass Tort & Environmental Litigation Team, he practices in a variety of areas such as employment law, personal injury law, contract disputes, and municipal law. Brian enjoys advising his clients on a variety of issues to ensure their protection and success.
Brian is active in the Rodney Inn of Court and is a graduate of Leadership Delaware, a non-profit devoted to identifying and supporting up-in-coming leaders in the State of Delaware. Brian also volunteers his free time to several community organizations. He is a board member of Rodney Street Tennis & Tutoring Association and ran for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man of the Year in 2018. He lives in Wilmington with his wife, Cristina.
awards
Top Lawyer in Delaware Today for Civil Litigation in 2019
Top Lawyer in Delaware Today for Labor Law for Employer and Employees in 2020 and 2021
Top Lawyer in Delaware Today for Tort Law in 2021
Job Titles:
- LLC Catherine M. Cramer Attorney
Chase Brockstedt is the lead partner in the firm's injury litigation department. He has dedicated his career to representing individuals who have been injured through no fault of their own and are seeking fair compensation. Chase has substantial experience in navigating the complicated world of insurance to ensure that his client's medical bills and lost wages are paid on time and to recover damages for pain, suffering, and permanent injuries. Chase's past success included serving as Class Counsel and a member of the Steering Committee in the Bradley/Beebe pediatric sex abuse class action case which resolved for an unprecedented $123 million, recovering a $13 million verdict in Bailey v. Beebe Medical Center, a nursing home negligence case, and several multi-million-dollar recoveries in motor vehicle collisions, nursing home abuse cases, and for workplace injuries. Although he recently resolved a wrongful death trucking case for $2.25 million, he works just as diligently and successfully in cases where the damages are smaller. Over the last decade, Chase has developed a flourishing mass tort and class action practice. In addition to the Bradley/Beebe matter, Chase is co-lead counsel and class counsel in an environmental pollution case alleging groundwater and air contamination against Mountaire Corporation. Most recently, Chase co-led the team that obtained a $205 Million class action settlement in Millsboro, Delaware for property damages and personal injuries related to air and groundwater contamination claims. Chase also represents clients in the national class actions involving RoundUp and JUUL. He is currently investigating several mass tort cases against a variety of defendants. In addition to his injury and wrongful death trial practice, Chase has a thriving business and commercial law practice, which includes land use matters, including the representation of developers, builders, buyers, and sellers in various contexts. The breadth of his versatility is best exemplified by a $725,000 settlement in a United States District Court case against Sussex County Council as a result of their unlawful denial of a conditional use permit, and a victory in the Court of Chancery commercial action All Pro Maids v. Mama's Maids, a business dispute arising out of an employment agreement which was affirmed on appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court. Chase was born and raised in central and southern Delaware, graduated from Dover High School, and obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He graduated from Widener University School of Law in 1999. While in law school, Mr. Brockstedt served as Judicial Extern to the Honorable Richard S. Gebelien of the Delaware Superior Court. He then served as Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Richard R. Cooch, Resident Judge for the Superior Court of New Castle County, for the 1999-2000 term. Chase is admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and the Delaware State Bar. He is a member of the American Bar and Delaware State Bar Associations. He is an active member of The American Association of Justice, including membership in the motor vehicle and nursing home litigation sections. He is Board of Governor and past President of the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association. Chase also serves on the Sussex Academy Foundation Board, is a Board of Director of Kings Creek Country Club (serving as President from 2017-present) and former board member of the Delaware State Golf Association.
awards
Top Lawyer in Delaware Today for Personal Injury in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Member of the American Bar Association
Daniel is an associate attorney with the firm focusing on real estate. Daniel is a Sussex County, Delaware native, graduating from Seaford High School. From there, Daniel obtained his undergraduate degrees from the University of Delaware (B.A, Political Science), and then, earned his law degree from the Charleston School of Law, in Charleston, South Carolina (J.D.). While in law school, Daniel worked as a law clerk with the Office of the Public Defender, in Sussex County, then later, as a law clerk with a firm also located in Sussex County. Daniel graduated from law school as a Dean's List student and with a distinction for pro bono service.
Daniel is a member of the American Bar Association, the Delaware State Bar Association, and the Sussex County Bar Association. In addition, Daniel serves as the Secretary of the Sussex County Bar Association.
Job Titles:
- LLC Donald L. Logan Attorney
Donald L. Logan, concentrates his practice in the areas of construction law, commercial litigation, commercial transactions and serving as a private mediator or arbitrator. Don's practice includes assisting clients in entity formation, contract development and negotiation, perfecting mechanic's liens, public bid protests, payment and performance bond claims and delay claims. Clients include owners, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, suppliers and vendors, insurance carriers and sureties.
Don earned his B.S. degree from the University of Lowell and his J.D. from Widener University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in Maryland and the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
Don served on active duty in the US Navy and served in Vietnam in 1968-1969. He also served in the Delaware Air National Guard. He served as Chairman of the Delaware Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program.
awards
Delaware Today Top 200 lawyers
Top Lawyer in Delaware Today for Construction Law in 2016, 2018, and 2020
Job Titles:
- School of Law, Paralegal Certificate, 1988
Heidi Gilmore is an equity partner with the firm focusing her practice on all aspects of real estate from commercial to residential properties. She handles real estate closings, zoning and subdivision matters before the local jurisdiction, as well as banking matters. She also handles business planning and estate planning for her clients.
Heidi is a native to the eastern shore of Maryland, growing up in Cecil County, Maryland. She attended the University of Baltimore School of Law for her law degree. Heidi was admitted to practice in Maryland in 1998 and in Delaware in 2000. She is an active member of Delaware State and Maryland State Bar Associations. She is also active with her local Sussex County Bar Association. Heidi practiced with and served as Managing Partner for a prior Sussex County law firm before moving her practice in April of 2014 to her current firm, Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico & Cardea, in order to serve the needs of her clients on a more state-wide level. Heidi has offices in Lewes, Georgetown, and Dover, but travels statewide to meet her client's needs.
Heidi is passionate about helping people. She serves several charitable foundations and nonprofits. She is an active member of Lewes, Rehoboth, Bethany/Fenwick, and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, as well as on the boards of The Bank of Delmarva and the Sussex County Land Trust.
awards
Top Lawyer in Delaware Today for Real Estate in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021
memberships
Delaware State Bar Association
Maryland State Bar Association
Job Titles:
- LLC John W. Paradee Partner
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner of Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico
Kevin Baird is the Managing Partner of Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico & Cardea, and practices in the areas of estate planning and administration, business law, and corporate law. He enjoys a team-based approach to problem-solving and recognizes the importance of building strong relationships with clients. By investing in client relationships Kevin helps to develop legal strategies that harmonize a client's long-term goals with their immediate needs. He understands that for many clients, legal services are only one aspect of a larger plan. Kevin, therefore, works carefully to integrate his services into his client's overall business or life plans to achieve optimal results in both the short and long term.
Kevin has a B.S. in engineering from the University of Buffalo and an M.S. in engineering from Virginia Tech. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law with honors in 2002. Kevin began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge Sue L. Robinson in the United State District Court for the District of Delaware. As a law clerk, he was exposed to many areas of complex litigation involving some of the world's largest companies. After his clerkship, Kevin practiced law in Wilmington at two of the nation's largest law firms. In 2007, Kevin moved his practice to Dover to focus on local practice and to spend more time with his wife and children.
Kevin spends substantial time developing estate plans for a diverse range of clients from new couples with young families to individuals with substantial wealth and special health needs. He also enjoys working with entrepreneurs forming new business and advises on corporate governance and business-succession planning. In addition to his estate-planning practice, Kevin also spends considerable time representing fiduciaries administering estates or trusts.
Kevin's diverse legal background helps him appreciate the complex nature of a client's issues and he enjoys looking for creative solutions to problems. He strives to provide clients with large-firm service and sophistication statewide.
awards
Top Lawyer in Delaware Today for Estate, Probate & Trusts in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021
Mackenzie is an associate attorney with the firm. Mackenzie's practice is concentrated in the areas of Real Estate and Land Use.
Job Titles:
- LLC MATTHEW P. LEGG ATTORNEY
Matthew Legg assists in representing clients in a variety of mass tort and class action matters. He is currently involved in cases regarding individuals exposed to potential bloodborne pathogens in an ambulatory surgery center, dozens of public entities in litigation against opioid manufacturers and distributors, and numerous school boards in lawsuits against vaping company JUUL.
Mr. Legg was a member of the team that achieved a $205 million settlement in litigation against chicken processing giant Mountaire on behalf of residents in Millsboro, Delaware affected by groundwater contamination and air pollution from the company's operations. As part of this case, Mr. Legg was involved with written discovery and the team responsible for the review of millions of pages of responsive discovery material.
Prior to joining Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico & Cardea, Mr. Legg practiced law at a prominent Baltimore firm where he gained significant experience in a broad range of civil litigation matters, including medical negligence, personal injury, and commercial disputes. In 2018, Mr. Legg was a member of the University of Maryland Football Commission that was tasked with investigating the culture of the school's football program after the death of Jordan McNair.
Mr. Legg received his undergraduate degree in English and Classics in 2009 from Bowdoin College and his Juris Doctor in 2015 from the University of Maryland School of Law. While in law school, Mr. Legg served as an Asper Judicial Fellow for the Honorable Paul W. Grimm of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, where he assisted the Court in the administration of cases and drafted an assessment of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 17(c)(2) for presentation to the Rules Committee.
Mr. Legg lives in Baltimore with his wife, Mallory. In his free time, he enjoys golf, fishing, and tennis.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- LLC Nicole M. Faries Attorney
Nicole currently serves as the Treasurer on the Board of Trustees for the Delaware Law Related Education Center. Nicole is also on the Board of Professional Responsibility in Delaware.
Job Titles:
- LLC PHILIP C. FEDERICO Partner
- Partner at Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico
Phil Federico is a partner at Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico & Cardea where he helps lead the Mass Tort / Class Action and Environmental Law practices, transitioning into these areas after beginning his career as a medical malpractice litigator.
Phil has been involved in historic and groundbreaking litigation with verdicts and settlements totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. In 2010, he served as co-lead counsel in the litigation against pedophile pediatrician Earl Bradley, which resulted in a $123 million settlement. In 2016, he served as counsel in a $190 million class action settlement with The Johns Hopkins Hospital arising out of the conduct of Nikita Levy, M.D., an obstetrician gynecologist who surreptitiously videotaped his patients during gynecologic examinations.
In 2017, Phil formed a consortium of attorneys and law firms to take on the opioid industry, today representing more than 40 cities and counties. This includes more Florida public entities than any other group, and the second largest number of South Carolina public entities. In recent years, Phil and his colleagues have been focusing on environmental cases involving contaminated groundwater and air pollution. In 2017, Phil became co-lead counsel in a landmark environmental case against chicken processing giant Mountaire. For close to two decades, the company had violated its permits by disposing of wastewater containing excessive nitrates, causing health problems and property damage for the community of Millsboro, Delaware. Phil led the negotiation with Mountaire and achieved a settlement in November 2020, valued at $205 million. Phil is also involved in litigation involving Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are chemicals that have been linked to cancer.
In addition to environmental cases, Phil also has extensive experience in personal injury, sexual abuse and misconduct, and healthcare. He is leading a consortium of attorneys and law firms in the JUUL litigation, which is based on JUUL's alleged intentional and deceptive marketing of its vaping device to teenagers and young adults. Phil represents more than three dozen school boards from across the country in their fight for justice. He is also representing plaintiffs in the StarPower class action lawsuit that involves the alleged surreptitious photographing and recording of a group of 400 competitive dancers, mostly minors, in various stages of undress in their changing area. Additionally, he is leading a class action involving 3,700 patients who were allegedly wrongfully exposed to HIV and hepatitis at a surgical center in New Jersey as a result of the doctors and staff failing to follow appropriate sterilization protocols and infection protection guidelines.
Phil is active in his community and sits on boards of many local charities and foundations. He lives in Baltimore with his wife of 39 years, Diane, and has a son, Torin; daughter-in-law, Stephanie; and granddaughter, Isabelle. When he is not practicing law or spending time with his family, he enjoys golf, fishing, hunting, surfing, and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- LLC Rebecca N. Doyle Attorney
- Member of the Delaware Bar Association
Rebecca N. Doyle is an associate in the firm's Estates and Trusts Department and is based in the Lewes office. She enjoys learning and understanding her clients' unique individual needs and creating and implementing comprehensive estate plans for them.
Rebecca was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and has been a Delaware resident since the age of seven. She is a graduate of the University of Delaware, earning her degree, cum laude, in criminal justice. She earned her Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Widener University School of Law in 2012. While attending law school, Rebecca interned for the Honorable Myron T. Steele of the Delaware Supreme Court, as well as for the Honorable Jan R. Jurden of the Superior Court of Delaware.
Upon graduation, Rebecca worked for the State of Delaware, Office of Management and Budget, where she represented the State's interest in labor and employment disputes. Rebecca's interest in practicing estates and trusts, and desire to enjoy the beach lifestyle brought her and her family to southern Delaware in 2017. Rebecca practiced estate planning and administration, and real estate law for a local firm prior to joining Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico & Cardea in 2018.
Rebecca is a member of the Delaware Bar Association and the Sussex County Bar Association. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Southern Delaware Estate Planning Council. When Rebecca is not at work she enjoys going to the gym, relaxing on the beach, but most importantly, spending time with her daughter and husband.
awards
Top Lawyer in Delaware Today for Estate, Probate & Trusts in 2019, 2020, and 2021
Memberships
Delaware State Bar
Sussex County Bar Association
Board of Directors for the Southern Delaware Estate Planning Council
Job Titles:
- LLC Stephen a. Spence Partner
Job Titles:
- LLC Stephen W. Spence Attorney
Job Titles:
- Partner at Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico
Tara Clary is a partner at Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico & Cardea with over 25 years of litigation experience handling all facets of the most complex medical malpractice matters, from investigation through discovery and trial.
Tara began her career defending physicians and health care providers against medical negligence claims. Tara then decided to utilize the comprehensive knowledge she developed to advocate for victims of malpractice. She synthesizes the technical, legal, factual and human aspects of all her cases to deliver outstanding results for clients. She finds the truth in the details and is known for an exacting, thorough approach to her work. Tara has extensive trial experience and was recently recognized for obtaining two of the largest medical malpractice verdicts in the country.
Tara graduated cum laude from Washington and Lee University with a degree in Politics and French. She is also a cum laude graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law. She has been a member of the Maryland Bar for over 25 years.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- LLC Victoria K. Petrone Partner
- Member of the Delaware Water Infrastructure
Vicky is a partner in the firm and has a regional practice concentrated on construction law. Her clients include owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers. Vicky advises clients on transactional and litigation needs including corporate formation, contract development, review and negotiation, construction defects, payment claims and mechanic's liens, public bidding and prevailing wage law, surety claims, scheduling and delay claims, employee manuals and employment disputes, insurance coverage and claims and alternative dispute resolution. Her practice spans state and federal courts as well as private and AAA mediation and arbitration. She is a Delaware Superior Court Certified Mediator and has also served as an arbitrator. Vicky was named Top Lawyer in Delaware Today for construction law in 2016 and 2018 (feature article) and authors the Delaware chapter of the Fifty State Construction Lien and Bond Law treatise.
Vicky is a member of the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council and has served on multiple other boards including The Committee of 100. She is a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Delaware Chapter, Delaware Contractors Association and American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Delaware, among other industry trade organizations. In addition to volunteering at several community organizations and serving as an advisor to various entities on construction-related issues, Vicky frequently lectures clients and trade groups on topics such as construction contracts, Department of Labor developments, mechanic's liens, construction documentation and strategies to avoid construction claims.