Partners
The following attorneys are members of our partnership. As such, they are owners of the law firm of Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid, LLP located in Towson and practicing in the Baltimore, MD metro area and surrounding regions.
R. Taylor McLean
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After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School in 1953, Taylor McLean served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Maryland in Baltimore. He came to Towson to practice with the firm (then, Proctor, Royston & Mueller) in 1960. He currently has an active estate administration and estate planning practice.
Practice Areas
- Trusts and Estates
Bar Admissions
- Maryland (all state courts)
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
Education
- University of Virginia (B.A. 1950)
- University of Virginia School of Law (J.D. 1953)
- Law Review
Professional Associations, Achievements, and Honors
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Baltimore County Bar Association
- Maryland State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®
William F. Blue
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Before joining Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid, LLP, Bill Blue and his son, Bob, were partners in the firm of Blue & Blue, P.A., concentrating on estate planning and estate and trust administration. Prior to forming Blue & Blue, P.A., Bill practiced estates and trusts law with several larger firms in Baltimore for more than 30 years. He continues his practice with us in the areas of will and trust preparation, estate administration, and charitable gift planning.
Practice Areas
- Trusts and Estates
Bar Admissions
- Maryland (all state courts)
Education
- Gilman School (1952)
- University of Virginia (B.S. Commerce 1956)
- University of Virginia Law School (L.L.B. 1960)
Professional Associations, Achievements, and Honors
- Baltimore County Bar Association
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Estates and Trusts Section
- American Bar Association
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
- Baltimore Estate Planning Council
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®
Thomas F. McDonough
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Thomas F. McDonough has been practicing law in Baltimore County since his graduation from law school in 1973. He has been a partner in Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid, LLP since 1978. In addition to his active civil litigation practice, he has devoted much of his time to public service. He has served as a member of the Attorney Grievance Commission Inquiry Panel as well as a member of its Review Board. He is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Maryland State Bar Association, former chairman of the Baltimore County Bench Bar Committee and served two terms as a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission for Baltimore County. Tom served as a member of the Maryland Racing Commission from 2003 to 2007 and was its chairman from 2003 to 2005.
Practice Areas
- Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Maryland (all state courts)
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
Education
- Johns Hopkins University (1969)
- Duke University School of Law (J.D. 1973)
Professional Associations, Achievements, and Honors
- Baltimore County Bar Association
- Maryland State Bar Association
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®
Laurel Paretta Reese
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Laurel Paretta Reese has been a partner with the firm since 1987. Prior to her admission to the bar in 1983, Laurel taught secondary school mathematics and did liberal arts graduate work at Johns Hopkins University. She also served as law clerk to the Honorable J. William Hinkel, Circuit Court for Baltimore County, before joining the firm in 1983. Laurel is an active member on committees of the Family Law Sections of the American and Baltimore County Bar Associations and served three terms on the Baltimore County Bench Bar Committee. She represents clients in all phases of litigation in numerous family law cases and contracts disputes, achieving favorable results in the circuit courts throughout Maryland and in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Laurel is fluent in French and Italian as well as English.
Practice Areas
- Family and Divorce Law
- Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Maryland (all state courts)
- District of Columbia Court of Appeals
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
Education
- Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts (B.A. magna cum laude 1968)
- University of Maryland School of Law (J.D. 1983)
Professional Associations, Achievements, and Honors
- Baltimore County Bar Association
- Family Law Committee
- American Bar Association
- Family Law Committee
- Maryland State Bar Association
- BV® Distinguished™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®
Keith R. Truffer
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Keith R. Truffer joined the firm in August 1983 following a clerkship with the Honorable John E. Raine, Jr. of the Baltimore County Circuit Court. Keith has been a partner in the firm since December 1989. Keith represents plaintiffs and defendants in a broad variety of complex civil litigation, with extensive experience in the areas of products liability, serious personal injury, trust and estate, commercial and condemnation litigation.
Practice Areas
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Bar Admissions
- Maryland (all state courts)
- District of Columbia
- United States Supreme Court
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Education
- Mount St. Mary’s College (B.A. cum laude 1978)
- University of Baltimore Law School (J.D. 1982)
Professional Associations, Achievements, and Honors
- Baltimore County Bar Association
- Professional Lawyer of the Year 2006
- Executive Council Member (2009–present)
- Professionalism Committee (1993–present; Chair, 1996–97; 2003–04)
- Bench Bar Committee (1992–93; 2001–03; 2006–10; Chair, 2009–10)
- Long Range Planning Committee (1986–89; Chair, 1988–89)
- Baltimore County Bar Foundation: Member, Board of Directors (2004–present)
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Board of Governors (1989–1991; 2003–2005; 2007–2009)
- Litigation Section Council (1996–2005; Chair, 2002–2003)
- Professionalism Committee (Chair, 2008–present)
- Judicial Appointments Committee (1990–2000)
- Recognized among Maryland Super Lawyers for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012
- American Bar Association (1983–present)
- Maryland Bar Foundation – Life Fellow
- Maryland Board of Bar Examiners – Character Committee, 2d Cir. (2010–present)
- The Believe in Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation Director (2008–present)
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®
Robert S. Handzo
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Robert S. Handzo began practicing with the firm in 1985 and became a partner in 1990. As a business attorney, Rob provides tax advice to all members of the firm and its clients. Rob has been the firm's managing partner since 1994. In addition, he is engaged in estate and business planning, and practices corporate, partnership, and real estate law, with an emphasis on structuring commercial transactions and real estate development.
Practice Areas
- Commercial Transactions
- Real Estate
- Trusts and Estates
- Business and Tax Matters
- Commercial Lending
Bar Admissions
- Maryland (all state courts)
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- United States Tax Court
Education
- University of Maryland, College Park (B.A. magna cum laude 1981)
- University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D. 1984)
- Master of Law Degree, Georgetown University (L.L.M. 1985)
Professional Associations, Achievements and Honors
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Baltimore County Bar Association
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®
Edward J. Gilliss
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Ed Gilliss has been a partner in the firm of Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid, LLP since 1990. His practice areas capitalize on his various professional experiences, civic participation, and firsthand knowledge of Baltimore County government. Civil litigation, including real estate development, title insurance, zoning and liquor licensing issues, as well as general representation of restaurants and other corporate entities, are a major part of his broad practice. Ed Gilliss also has an active estate planning and estate administration practice. Commitment to the legal profession is a major part of Ed’s civic life.
Practice Areas
- Litigation
- Commercial Transactions
- Alcohol and Beverage Licensing
- Land Use and Local Government
- Trusts and Estates
Bar Admissions
- Maryland (all state courts)
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
Education
- The College of Wooster (B.A. with thesis honors 1977)
- The University of Maryland School of Law (J.D. with honors 1980)
Professional Associations, Achievements, and Honors
- County Attorney for Baltimore County, Maryland, 2001–2004
- Counsel to County Executives Dutch Ruppersberger and Jim Smith
- Counsel to County Council and all county agencies and departments
- Baltimore County Planning Board
- Chairman, 2008–present
- Vice Chairman, 2007
- Maryland State Bar Association
- President, 2006–2007
- President-Elect, 2005–2006
- Treasurer, 2003–2005
- Board of Governors, 1989–1991; 1996–1998; 2001–2007
- Executive Committee, Board of Governors, 2002–2007
- Professionalism Course Faculty, 2003–2010
- Young Lawyer Section, Distinguished Service Award, 1989
- Judicial Appointments Committee, approx. 1988–1998; Regional Vice Chair, approx. 1995–1997
- Budget and Finance Committee, approx. 1987–2006; Chair, 2003–2006
- Investment Committee, 1998–present; Chair, 1998–2003
- Special Committee to Study MICPEL, Chair, 2001
- Continuing Legal Education Committee, Chair, 2001–2002
- Program Committee, 2002–2004; Co-Chair, 2002–2003
- Maryland Bar Foundation
- Life Fellow
- Chairman, Fellows, 2003–2004
- Board of Directors, 2003–2011
- Baltimore County Bar Association
- President, 2011–2012
- President-Elect, 2010–2011
- Secretary, 2009–2010
- Treasurer, 2008–2009
- Executive Council, 2003–present
- Bench Bar Committee, 1993–1997, 2001–2004; Chair, 1996–1997
- Nominating Committee, Chair, 1992
- Constitution and By-Laws Committee, 1989–2001; Chair, 1991–1992 and 2000–2001
- American Bar Association
- House of Delegates, 2006–2008
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- St. Joseph Medical Center
- Chairman, Board of Directors, 2011–present
- Member, Board of Directors, 2005–present; Vice Chair, 2010
- Chair, Finance Committee, 2009–2011
- Member, Executive Committee, 2009–present
- Leadership in Law Award from The Daily Record, 2006
- Recognized as a Maryland Super Lawyer in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 , 2011 and 2012
- Charter Member, Alliance of Alcohol Industry Attorneys and Consultants (AAIAC)
- Commissioner, Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays from 2002–2004
- Commissioner, Judicial Compensation Commission (appointment by Governor O’Malley), 2008–present
- Commissioner, General Assembly Compensation Commission (appointment by State Senate President Mike Miller), 2009–present
- Member, County Executive's Task Force to Study Liquor Licenses, 2011
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®
Timothy J. Oursler
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Upon graduation from law school, Tim Oursler concentrated on estates and trusts and civil litigation including workers compensation, personal injury defense, and bankruptcy with a Baltimore City firm. He became associated with Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid, LLP in 1998, practicing in the business and real estate areas. He is now a partner, focusing his practice on estate planning and administration, real estate, and commercial transactions.
Practice Areas
- Trusts and Estates
- Estate Planning including preparation of Wills and Trusts
- Administration of Trusts and Estates
- Special Needs Trusts
- Real Estate
- Residential and Commercial Real Estate and Leasing
- Commercial Transactions
- Commercial Lending
- Business Succession Planning
- Foreclosures
Bar Admissions
- Maryland (all state courts)
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Education
- Gilman School (1986)
- University of Virginia (B.A. 1990)
- University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D. cum laude 1993)
Professional Associations, Achievements, and Honors
- Maryland State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- BV® Distinguished™ Peer Review RatedSM by Martindale-Hubbell®
Robert G. Blue
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Prior to joining Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid, LLP, Bob Blue practiced law at one of Baltimore’s largest law firms and then later was a partner with his father, Bill, in Blue & Blue, P.A., a firm that concentrated on estate planning and the administration of decedents' estates. In 2004, Blue & Blue, P.A. joined forces with Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid, LLP and buttressed an already dynamic trusts and estates practice. Bob is a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates practice group and focuses on assisting clients with developing strategies for the tax-efficient transfer of wealth through lifetime and testamentary planning. He works to craft sensible, understandable plans and then drafts the wills, trusts, and other documents needed to accomplish his clients’ goals. He also advises clients on probate matters, charitable planning, and matters relating to trust administration. Bob has written articles on estate planning for a number of publications and has made several appearances as a guest on the Baltimore radio show, Money, Riches and Wealth.
Practice Areas
- Trusts and Estates
- Will and Trust Preparation
- Estate Administration
- Gift Taxation
- Trust Administration
- Charitable Planning
Bar Admissions
- Maryland (all state courts)
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
Education
- Gilman School (1981)
- University of Virginia (B.A. 1985)
- University of Virginia School of Law (J.D. 1989)
Professional Associations, Achievements, and Honors
- Baltimore Estate Planning Council
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Estates and Trusts Section
- American Bar Association
- Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
- Baltimore County Bar Association
- Character Committee for the Court of Appeals of Maryland for the Eighth Judicial Circuit (1995–1996)
- Treasurer, Board of Trustees of Calvert School (2003–2010)
News and Publications
- 2010 Tax Notice for Married Couples
- 2010 Tax Notice For Unmarried Individuals
- Summer 2009 Issue, Maryland Investor, Preserving Wealth
- Winter 2009 Issue, The BCF Edge, Leaving a Legacy of Philanthropy
Craig P. Ward
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Craig is a partner of the firm whose practice is concentrated in the areas of family law and civil and criminal litigation. In May of 1993, Mr. Ward passed the Certified Public Accountant examination. As an accountant in the Baltimore area from 1990 to 1994, Mr. Ward devoted most of his time to the areas of taxation, audits and litigation support work. Prior to joining the firm in October of 1998, Mr. Ward had the privilege of serving a 15-month clerkship with the Honorable John Grason Turnbull II of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County.
Practice Areas
- Family and Divorce Law
- Litigation
- Criminal Law
Bar Admissions
- Maryland (all state courts)
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- United States Tax Court
Education
- Towson University (B.S. Accounting 1992)
- University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D. magna cum laude 1997)
Professional Associations, Achievements, and Honors
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Baltimore County Bar Association
- Family Law Committee
- Criminal Law Committee
Leanne M. Schrecengost
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From 1992–2000, Leanne Schrecengost worked as a research scientist for a medical device company in Baltimore County. During that same time, she completed her Master of Science degree in Biotechnology and began pursuing her law degree. Leanne joined the firm as an associate in October of 2001 after working as a law clerk for another Baltimore County firm. Leanne’s practice includes all areas of alcohol and beverage licensing law, including related corporate and commercial lease work, as well as general commercial litigation.
Practice Areas
- Alcohol and Beverage Licensing
- Commercial Transactions
- Commercial Lending
Bar Admissions
- Maryland (all state courts)
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
Education
- Towson University (B.S. Biology 1991)
- Johns Hopkins University (M.S. 1997)
- University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D. cum laude 2001)
Professional Associations, Achievements, and Honors
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Baltimore County Bar Association
- 2009 Graduate Leadership Baltimore County
