I am licensed to practice law in Maryland and Washington, D.C. I have served the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area since 1985, with a principal focus on the business client.

In my capacity as an advisor to business owners, I regularly address issues such as: business start-ups, commercial lease negotiations, franchise disclosure document review and negotiation, contract implementation, and copyright and trademark registration and protection. I frequently write important business contracts relating to copyright, trademarks, domain names, proprietary information, trade secrets, and independent contractors. Some relevant agreements deal with licensing of copyrighted works or trademarks and others address protecting intellectual property by way of agreements for trade secrets, confidentiality and non-competition.

The cornerstone of my success is the quality relationship which I maintain with my clients. Each person is treated with integrity and respect for their needs, goals, and objectives. I focus on intelligent legal representation and pledge not only to listen to and communicate with clients, but also to be available. To the best of my efforts, I seek to return telephone calls promptly.

I use the latest technology and cost-effective methods to enhance my productivity and to provide services in a professional and friendly atmosphere.

Areas of Practice

• Business & Commercial Law
• Business Organizations
• Commercial Lease Negotiation
• Contracts
• Copyright
• Franchising
• Intellectual Property Law
• Trademarks
• Licenses
• Registered Agent (Maryland)

Bar Admissions

• Maryland
• District of Columbia
• U.S. District Court District of Maryland
• U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia

Education

• American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, District of Columbia
  LL.M, Focused on Intellectual Property
  
  
• Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  J.D.
  
  
• Douglass College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
  B.A.
  
  

Published Works

• "What Are You Doing to Protect Your Trade Secrets?", Smart Business Ideas, May, 2008
• "Who Owns Intellectual Property?", Smart Business Ideas, December, 2007
• "Deal on Distance Learning Still Faces Pro-License Pressures", IP Supplement to Legal Times, March 24, 2003
• "Some Rules for Negotiating Your Retail Lease", Merchant, Newsletter of the Maryland Retail Merchants Association, March, 1995
• Don't Let Your Franchise Agreement and Lease Conflict, Merchant, Newsletter of the Maryland Retail Merchants Association, December, 1995
• Cooperative Efforts in Lease Negotiations, Franchising World, Magazine of the International Franchise Association, March/April, 1996
• Patience and Careful Eye Needed in Negotiating Office Space, Executive Update, Magazine of the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, April, 1996

Classes/Seminars Taught

• Intellectual Property Basics for Copyright, Trademarks, Trade Secrets and Licenses Workshop for Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), U.S. SBA, Washington, DC
• How to Purchase a Franchise and How to Make Your Business Successful, Howard University School of Continuing Education, Silver Spring, MD
• Pre-Business Workshops of Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), U.S. SBA, Washington, DC
• Intellectual Property Basics Workshop, Rockville Economic Development, Inc, 2007

Honors and Awards

• Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione Award for Excellence in Intellectual Property Law, 2003

Professional Associations and Memberships

• District of Columbia Bar, 1978 - Present
  Member
  
  
• District of Columbia Bar, Intellectual Property Section, 2006 - Present
  Co-Chair
  
  
• District of Columbia Bar, Intellectual Property Section, 2005 - Present
  Steering Committee Member
  
  
• District of Columbia Bar, Intellectual Property Section, 2003 - Present
  Legislation Committee Chairman
  
  
• Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland, 1985 - Present
  Member
  
  
• Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland, Intellectual Property Law Section, 2003 - Present
  Member
  
  
• Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia, 2003 - Present
  Member
  
  
• Rockville, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, 2007 - Present
  Board Member