William F. Blue, Partner
Bradford G.Y. Carney, Of Counsel
Eugene W. Cunningham, Jr., Of Counsel
Edward J. Gilliss, Partner
Robert S. Handzo, Managing Partner
Jonathan M. Herbst, Associate
David F. Luby, Associate
Thomas F. McDonough, Partner
Lisa J. McGrath, Of Counsel
R. Taylor McLean, Partner
Timothy J. Oursler, Partner
H. Emslie Parks, Of Counsel
Laurel Paretta Reese, Partner
Richard A. Reid, Counsel Emeritus
Leanne Schrecengost, Associate
James L. Shea, Jr., Associate
E. Harrison Stone, Partner
Keith R. Truffer, Partner
Craig P. Ward, Partner
Martha K. White, Associate
Robert G. Blue, Partner
ROBERT G. BLUE graduated from Gilman School (1981), the University of Virginia (B.A. 1985) and the University of Virginia School of Law (J.D. 1989). Bob’s practice focuses on estates and trusts and estate administration, with an emphasis on advising clients on tax, probate and related issues in connection with the transfer of wealth within families. Bob is a member of the Baltimore Estate Planning Council, the Estates and Trusts Section of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Professional Advisors Council of the Baltimore Community Foundation. Bob also serves on the Board of Trustees of Calvert School as Treasurer. During 1995-96, Bob served as a member of the Character Committee for the Court of Appeals of Maryland for the Eighth Judicial Circuit. He is a member of the Baltimore County Bar Association, the Maryland State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Bob is admitted to practice in all Maryland courts as well as the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
E-Mail: rblue@rmmr.com
William F. Blue, Partner
WILLIAM F. BLUE graduated from Gilman School (1952), University of Virginia (B.S. Commerce 1956) and the University of Virginia Law School (L.L.B. 1960). Before joining the firm, Bill and his son, Bob, were partners in the firm of Blue & Blue, P.A., a firm specializing in 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. Bill practices in the areas of will and trust preparation, estate administration, and charitable gift planning. Bill is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law of the American Bar Association. Bill is also a member of the Estates and Trusts Section of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Baltimore Estate Planning Council.
E-Mail: wblue@rmmr.com
Bradford G.Y. Carney, Of Counsel
BRADFORD G.Y. CARNEY joined the firm in 1996 after a decade of practice with one of Baltimore’s largest law firms. After graduating from Boys’ Latin School in 1968, Brad received his undergraduate degree from Washington College in 1972 and his J.D. from the University of Baltimore in 1976. Throughout his practice, Brad has concentrated in the areas of the defense and prosecution of complex commercial litigation matters before both the State and Federal Courts. A significant portion of his time is devoted to the defense of criminal cases as well as claims brought against national title insurance companies and their insureds. Brad’s practice also involves the defense of errors & omissions claims brought against licensed insurance agents and brokers. Over the years, Brad has practiced extensively in the areas of family law and divorce and has served as a domestic relations mediator for the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Brad has been a member of the law faculty at Villa Julie College for over 20 years and is a member of the Maryland State, American, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City Bar Associations as well as the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys’ Association and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
E-Mail: bcarney@rmmr.com
Eugene W. Cunningham, Jr., Of Counsel
EUGENE W. CUNNINGHAM, JR. was admitted to the Maryland Bar in December, 1981 after graduating from the University of Maryland School of Law with honors and with election to the Order of the Coif. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Maryland in 1977. Gene joined the firm in December, 1988 after private practice elsewhere in Towson. Gene practices in all areas of business, commercial and real estate transactions, representing lenders, real estate developers and businesses in Maryland and throughout the country. He offers daily counsel to businesses and their owners in specific need areas such as employment law, acquisition and financial structuring, restructuring and sale. Gene is a member of the Baltimore County, Maryland State and American Bar Associations.
E-Mail: ecunningham@rmmr.com
Edward J. Gilliss, Partner
EDWARD J. GILLISS has been a partner in the firm since 1990. From 2001 to 2004, at the request of County Executive (now U.S. Congressman) Dutch Ruppersberger, Ed served as the County Attorney for Baltimore County, first representing County Executive Ruppersberger and then County Executive James T. Smith, Jr. as well as the Baltimore County Council and all departments of local government. As County Attorney, Ed supervised a staff of over 25 lawyers. Ed received his law degree, with honors, in 1980, from the University of Maryland. In 1977, he received his B.A. degree, with thesis honors, from the College of Wooster in Ohio. He is admitted to practice in all Maryland state courts and before the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Ed’s 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. Mr. 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. He served as President of the Maryland State Bar Association (with over 23,000 members) in 2006-2007. Before that, he served as the MSBA President-Elect in 2005-2006 and as its Treasurer from 2003-2005. He was a member of the MSBA’s Executive Committee from 2001-2007. Ed is also on the Executive Council of the Baltimore County Bar Association and previously chaired its Bench Bar Committee. Ed is a Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation and served as Chair of the Fellows in 2004. Also active on a national level, Mr. Gilliss was a member of the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association from 2005-2007. He is also a Fellow of the American Bar Association. He has taught continuing legal education courses as well as Maryland’s professionalism course. He was recognized in 2007 and 2008 as one of Maryland’s Super Lawyers. In 2002, the Governor appointed Mr. Gilliss as a Commissioner of the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, where he served until 2004. Since 2005, Mr. Gilliss has served on the Board of the St. Joseph Hospital and since July 2007 has served, now as Chairman, on the Baltimore County Planning Board.
E-Mail: egilliss@rmmr.com
Robert S. Handzo, Managing Partner
ROBERT S. HANDZO began practicing with the firm in 1985 after receiving his Master of Laws degree in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center. He received his J.D. degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1984 and his B.A. degree magna cum laude from the University of Maryland in 1981. Rob has been a Partner in the firm since 1990. As a business attorney, Rob’s practice involves providing all members of the firm and its clients with tax advice. In addition to this emphasis, Rob practices in the areas of estate and business planning, and corporate, partnership and real estate law, with an emphasis on structuring commercial transactions and real estate development. Rob is a member of the Baltimore County Bar Association, the Maryland State Bar Association, the District of Columbia Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He is admitted to practice before all Maryland Courts, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland and the United States Tax Court. Rob has been the Managing Partner of the firm since 1994.
E-Mail: rhandzo@rmmr.com
Jonathan M. Herbst, Associate
David F. Luby, Associate
DAVID F. LUBY is a graduate of the University of Virginia (B.A., Economics, 1998) and the University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D. cum laude, 2002). For approximately two years while attending law school, David worked as a law clerk for a small firm in downtown Baltimore working in general civil litigation. He also practiced general civil litigation as a Rule 16 student attorney for two semesters at the University of Baltimore Civil Law Clinic. Upon graduating from law school, he served for eighteen months as law clerk to the Honorable Robert N. Dugan of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. David joined the firm in March of 2004 and practices family law and general civil litigation. He is an active member of the Young Lawyers and Family Law Committees of the Baltimore County and Maryland State Bar Associations.
E-Mail: dluby@rmmr.com
Thomas F. McDonough, Partner
THOMAS F. McDONOUGH is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Duke University School of Law and has been practicing in Baltimore County since his graduation from law school in 1973. He has been a partner since 1978. His practice is confined to civil litigation and 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. He is a member of the Baltimore County and Maryland State Bar Associations.
E-Mail: tmcdonough@rmmr.com
Lisa J. McGrath, Of Counsel
LISA J. McGRATH graduated from Illinois College (B.S. in Accounting, magna cum laude, 1986) and the University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D. cum laude, 1995 and LLM in Taxation, 1997). Lisa has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1986. Prior to attending law school, Lisa worked in the public accounting field, providing tax and financial planning services to individuals and small businesses. Since her graduation from law school, Lisa’s practice has concentrated in the area of Estates and Trusts law. Lisa is a member of the Maryland State (Estates and Trusts Section) and American Bar Associations. She is also a member of the Maryland Association and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
E-Mail: lmcgrath@rmmr.com
R. Taylor McLean, Partner
R. TAYLOR McLEAN began the practice of law in 1953 in Baltimore City after graduating that year from the University of Virginia Law School where he wrote for the Law Review. He came to Towson to practice with the firm (then, Proctor, Royston & Mueller) in 1960 from the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland where he served as an Assistant United States Attorney. He currently has an active estate administration and estate planning practice, and is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
E-Mail: tmclean@rmmr.com
Timothy J. Oursler, Partner
TIMOTHY J. OURSLER is a graduate of the Gilman School (1986), the University of Virginia (B.A. 1990) and the University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D. cum laude 1993). Upon graduation from law school, Tim concentrated on estates and trusts and civil litigation including worker’s compensation, personal injury defense and bankruptcy with a Baltimore City firm. He became associated with the firm in 1998 practicing in the business and real estate areas. His focus is now on estate planning and administration, real estate and commercial transactions. Tim has been admitted to practice before all state courts, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
E-Mail: toursler@rmmr.com
H. Emslie Parks, Of Counsel
H. EMSLIE (LEE) PARKS brings to Royston, Mueller, McLean & Reid, LLP an extensive general practice background. He joined the firm in January of 1995 after having been senior partner for many years in his own law firm where he was involved in complex litigation with emphasis in the areas of toxic torts and construction law. Lee received his undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. While in law school, he served as law clerk to the late Emory H. Niles, Chief Judge of the Baltimore City Supreme Bench. He is a member of the Maryland and D.C. bars and has practiced extensively in the federal court system, including the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a permanent member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. Lee served as County Attorney for Baltimore County, Maryland and through the years has been involved in many community activities, having served as President of the Board of Education of Baltimore County and a Trustee of the Baltimore County General Hospital, the Baltimore County Community College System, the Maryland State College System and the National Aquarium in Baltimore. He was a founding director of the Bank of Maryland and Maryland’s Bank Corp.
Laurel Paretta Reese, Partner
LAUREL PARETTA REESE is a graduate of Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts (B.A. magna cum laude, 1968) and the University of Maryland School of Law (J.D. January, 1983). Laurel taught secondary school mathematics and did liberal arts graduate work at Johns Hopkins University prior to her admission to the Bar in May of 1983. Laurel served as law clerk to the Honorable J. William Hinkel, Circuit Court for Baltimore County, before joining the firm in 1983. She has been a partner with the firm since 1987. Laurel’s practice is concentrated in family law and general civil litigation. She is a member of the American, Maryland, District of Columbia, and Baltimore County Bar Associations, and the Trial Bar of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Laurel is also 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.
E-Mail: lreese@rmmr.com
Richard A. Reid, Counsel Emeritus
RICHARD A. REID is a retired partner whose roots have always been in Baltimore County. Dick graduated from Sparrows Point High School in 1948 and Gilman School in 1949. He attended Yale University where he received a B.A. Degree in 1953 and the University of Virginia Law School where he received a L.L.B. Degree in 1956. While in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1956‑1959, Dick devoted most of his time to the trial of general courts‑martial. Upon his release from active duty, he came directly to the firm where he continued his trial work. In 1976, Dick was invited to become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a national organization which limits its membership to no more than one percent of the lawyers in any state who have demonstrated outstanding abilities in litigation. Among Dick's particular areas of practice focus was the law of eminent domain with respect to which he gave lectures to lawyers and judges throughout the State. Dick has been active in local and State Bar Associations, having served on the Board of Governors of the Maryland State Bar Association from 1976‑1978 and from 1986‑1987. He was President of the Baltimore County Bar Association in 1985 and President of the Baltimore County Bar Foundation in 1986. He served as a Trustee of the Clients’ Security Trust Fund of the Bar of Maryland from 1988 to 2000 and as its Chairman from 2000 to 2002. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Bar Foundation from 1995 to 1996, holding the office of Secretary/Treasurer from 1992 to 1995 and Chairman of the Fellows of the Maryland Bar Foundation, Inc. from 1995 to 1996. He retired from active practice on January 1, 1998.
Leanne Schrecengost, Associate
LEANNE M. SCHRECENGOST is a graduate of Towson University (B.S., biology major, 1991), Johns Hopkins University (M.S. 1997) and the University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D. cum laude 2001). From 1992 to 2000 Leanne worked as a research scientist for a medical device company. During that same time, she completed her Master’s degree and began pursuing her law degree. Prior to joining the firm in October of 2001, Leanne worked as a law clerk for a Baltimore County firm providing litigation support. Leanne’s practice includes all areas of liquor licensing law, including related corporate and commercial lease work, as well as, general commercial litigation. Leanne has been admitted to practice before all state courts and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. She is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Baltimore County Bar Association.
E-Mail: schrecengost@rmmr.com
James L. Shea, Jr., Associate
JAMES L. SHEA, JR. is a graduate of Northwestern University (B.A., History, 2003) and the University of Maryland School of Law (J.D., 2006). While attending law school, Jim worked as a law clerk and summer associate for a medium-sized firm in Baltimore in general litigation. After graduating from law school, Jim served for twelve months as law clerk to the Honorable Kathleen G. Cox of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. Jim joined the firm in August of 2007 and practices in a variety of areas involving general civil litigation. Jim has been admitted to practice before all state courts and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. He is an active member of the Baltimore County and Maryland State Bar Associations.
E-Mail: jshea@rmmr.com
E. Harrison Stone, Partner
E. HARRISON STONE has been a partner in the firm since 1968. He is a graduate of McDonogh School (1952), Washington and Lee University (B.A. 1956) and the University of Virginia Law School (L.L.B. 1962). Between college and law school, he served as an officer in the United States Navy. Harrison joined the firm in 1962. As with other members of the firm, he has been extensively involved in the activities of the Maryland State Bar Association, serving as a member of its Board of Governors (1983‑85) and its Committee on Judicial Appointments. He was also a member of the Character Committee for the Third Judicial Circuit, which interviews prospective members of the Bar who reside in Baltimore County. Throughout his career with the firm, Harrison has been involved in many different areas of law. Initially, his practice was largely litigation, but during the past twenty years, he has concentrated in the areas of estate planning and estate administration.
E-Mail: hstone@rmmr.com
Keith R. Truffer, Partner
KEITH R. TRUFFER has been associated with the firm since 1983 and is a member of the firm's litigation department. A 1978 cum laude graduate of Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Keith obtained his legal education at the University of Baltimore Law School from which he graduated in 1982. Keith joined the firm in August, 1983 following a clerkship with the Honorable John E. Raine, Jr., the late Chief Judge of the Baltimore County Circuit Court. Keith became a partner in the firm in December, 1989. Keith is an active member of the American, Maryland, and Baltimore County Bar Associations, including service on the Maryland State Bar Association Board of Governors (1989‑1991, 2003-2005) and Litigation Section Council (1996 – present Chair, 2002-2003) as well as numerous other state and local bar committees. Keith is a Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation and serves in connection with the Attorney Grievance Commission. Keith has been admitted to practice before all state courts, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He has been recognized as one of Maryland’s Super Lawyers for 2008 and was selected by the Baltimore County Bar Association as its Professional Lawyer of the Year for 2006. Keith represents Plaintiffs and Defendants in a broad variety of civil litigation, with broad experience in the areas of product liability, personal injury, trust and estate, commercial and eminent domain/condemnation litigation.
E-Mail: ktruffer@rmmr.com
Craig P. Ward, Partner
CRAIG P. WARD is a graduate of Loyola High School (1988), Towson University (B.S., accounting major, 1992) and the University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D. magna cum laude 1997). In May of 1993, Craig passed the Certified Public Accountant examination. As an accountant in the Baltimore area from 1990 to 1994, Craig devoted most of his time to the areas of taxation, audits and litigation support work. Prior to joining the firm in October of 1998, Craig had the privilege of serving a fifteen month clerkship with the Honorable John Grason Turnbull II of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. Craig’s practice is concentrated in the areas of family law and civil and criminal litigation. Craig is a member of the Maryland State and Baltimore County Bar Associations and serves on the Family Law and Criminal Law Committees of the Baltimore County Bar Association. He is admitted to practice in all Maryland Courts and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.
E-Mail: cward@rmmr.com
Martha K. White, Associate
MARTHA K. WHITE is a graduate of Clarkson University in New York (B.S., Business Administration, 2003) and the University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D., 2006). While attending law school, Martha held several clerk positions. She also practiced general civil litigation as a Rule 16 Student Attorney at the University of Baltimore Tax Clinic. Upon graduation from law school, Martha served as law clerk to the Honorable Louis A. Becker of the Circuit Court for Howard County. Martha joined the firm in August of 2007 and practices general civil litigation and family law. She is an active member of the Maryland State Bar Association, and the Young Lawyers and Family Law Committees of the Baltimore County Bar Association.
E-Mail: mwhite@rmmr.com