Areas of Practice

Areas of Practice

Presently, the firm is divided into practice areas which are supervised and staffed by experienced attorneys who are knowledgeable in their respective fields. These departments include:

w Land Use Planning and Development/Administrative Law
w Real Estate Transactions
w General Business, Corporate, Partnership and Banking Law
w Municipal and Municipal Finance Law
w Health Care Law
w Litigation
w Bankruptcy and Creditor's Rights
w Alcoholic Beverage Licensing
w Estate Planning/Administration, Wills and Probate Matters
w Legislative and Administrative Lobbying

LAND USE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT/ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

This department practices law applicable to zoning and all phases of land use and development. It

has the capability to take sites through all development processes, to include: rezonings, special exceptions, master plan and sectional map adoptions, subdivisions, water and sewer category changes, site plan reviews, variances, administrative and judicial appeals from administrative decisions, permitting and lobbying on behalf of clients' interests before local and state governing bodies.

We regularly represent clients securing governmental approval for the establishment of uses such as: research and technology parks; major employment centers; residential communities; the mining and wet processing of sand and gravel; landfills and other types of solid waste disposal facilities; automobile service stations; learning and day care centers; medical facilities; senior housing; as well as all types of industrial and commercial uses.

As a result of the Land Use Department's daily involvement and interaction with local government, our attorneys are familiar with the land development trends and with the various technical issues in the land development field, such as environmental issues (floodplain, wetlands, critical area legislation, tree stand delineations); adequate public facilities issues (transportation, police and fire fighting capability and water and sewer capacity and availability); and recreational issues. Our attorneys coordinate the responsibilities of experts in these various technical fields who are retained to provide critical information for the support of development proposals.

The department's ability to be responsive to the needs of our clients is complemented by the functions of other departments within the firm. In conjunction with those other departments, we guide and assist our clients from initially locating appropriate parcels of land through the contract, acquisition and settlement phases, including the financing of acquisition and construction, to project completion and issuance of final occupancy permits.

Attorneys experienced in Land Use Planning and Development/Administrative Law are Russell E. Warfel and Michele La Rocca.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Independently and in conjunction with the firm's Land Use and Business Departments, MR&R offers full-service real estate transaction and financing representation.

The Real Estate Transactions Department handles the structuring and closing of acquisition and construction financing on behalf of businesses, developers and lending institutions for both residential and commercial ventures. Additional areas of service provided include reviewing title abstracts, preparation and review of sales contracts, settlements, leases, preparation of land use covenants, homeowner association documents, planned unit developments and condominium documentation. The firm has represented a range of clients in this discipline, from the first-time home buyer to nationally known corporations and lending institutions.

Attorneys experienced in Real Estate Transactions are Robert H Rosenbaum and William V. Meyers, Brett C. Beehler.

GENERAL BUSINESS, CORPORATE, PARTNERSHIP
AND BANKING LAW

This department offers a full range of business counseling for sole proprietorships, limited liability companies, corporations and partnerships, from pre-organization to re-organization. Members of the firm serve as general counsel to various business organizations and financial institutions.

Experienced in the organization, acquisition and disposition of small and medium-sized businesses, via stock or asset sales, the department's attorneys engage in the negotiation and drafting of agreements relating to such transactions as well as pre-incorporation agreements, general and limited partnership agreements, limited liability company documents, buy-sell agreements, leases, deferred purchase money promissory notes, security agreements and similar documents.

In addition, the department regularly acts as counsel for buyer, seller, lender or borrower in numerous transactions involving the purchase, sale and financing of businesses ranging in size from the fledgling enterprise to the multi-million dollar diversified entity.

Attorneys experienced in General Business, Corporate, Partnership and Banking Law are William V. Meyers, Robert H Rosenbaum, Linda C. Carter, M. Evan Meyers and Douglas C. Meister..

MUNICIPAL AND MUNICIPAL FINANCE LAW

The firm's Department of Municipal and Municipal Finance Law has previously served as attorney for Hyattsville, Mount Rainier and Laurel.

The firm has served as bond counsel to the City of Hyattsville and the Housing Authority of Prince George's County and as co-bond counsel to the City of Baltimore, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Prince George's County and the Industrial Development Authority of Prince George's County, overseeing the issuance of tax-exempt general obligation, revenue and mortgage revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $4,000,000,000. MR&R also serves as underwriter's counsel and as borrower's counsel in public finance transactions.

The firm has also rendered validity and tax opinions in connection with equipment lease-purchase agreements for the cities of Hyattsville and Mount Rainier, and has rendered tax opinions in connection with equipment conditional sales purchases by the City of Takoma Park.

Attorney experienced in Municipal and Municipal Finance Law is Frederick J. Stichnoth.

HEALTH CARE LAW

The firm serves as counsel to a major suburban health care provider that operates two hospitals, a free-standing emergency clinic and a nursing home. In its role as counsel, the firm has drafted and enforced the hospitals' medical staff bylaws, negotiated and drafted contracts with physicians in hospital-based departments, rendered numerous formal and informal opinions, and reviewed and drafted internal hospital policies and contracts with external organizations. This enables MR&R to offer assistance in regard to legal issues involving health care providers and matters. In short, the firm effectively represents both the individual and institutional health care provider.

Attorneys experienced in Health Care Law are William V. Meyers, Joseph B. Chazen and Gina M. Smith.

LITIGATION

Operating effectively and efficiently in a litigation-prone environment is one of today's greatest business challenges. MR&R strives to provide its clients with legal solutions that minimize the risk of litigation. When litigation becomes a necessary alternative, we do everything possible to provide the most cost-effective services that at the same time meet the client's objectives. Our firm's experienced attorneys have represented clients in all forums within the State of Maryland. These include appearances before administrative agencies, arbitration panels, and the various levels of state and federal courts.

The firm has served as litigation counsel for major insurance carriers, general contractors, municipalities and other public entities, developers, resource recovery and management businesses, commercial landlords and tenants, hospitals and health care providers and businesses. Individuals in need of representation and assistance in their own personal matters due to tragedy, serious injury and contractual disputes also seek our counsel and representation.

Our litigation services include:

w Automobile collisions
w Business disputes
w Civil rights litigation
w Commercial law (sales, commercial paper, collection)
w Construction litigation and arbitration
w Corporate disputes
w Criminal defense
w DWI/Traffic cases
w Employment discrimination and personnel management
w Enforcement of contracts and agreements
w Landlord and tenant
w Mechanics liens
w Medical malpractice
w Personal injury and general liability
w Insurance Defense and Coverage
w Environmental and Toxic Substances Law
w Casualty Claims
w Life, Health, Disability and Accident Insurance
w Professional negligence
w Real estate

Attorneys experienced in Litigation are Joseph B. Chazen, Paul A. Turkheimer, David A. Carter, Gina M. Smith, M. Evan Meyers, Douglas C. Meister, David J. Martin, Michael R. Acker, Brett C. Beehler, Jennifer L. Banach, Ninette M. Ponton, Jennifer L. Wilson, Chantelle M. Custodio, and Kimberly Longford.

BANKRUPTCY AND CREDITOR'S RIGHTS

This department is experienced in all areas of federal bankruptcy law and represents both creditors and debtors in the forum of the Bankruptcy Court. It has developed a significant practice in the representation of municipal governments as creditors for the recovery of various taxes and other debts. The firm represents various municipalities for several counties in this field of law.

Attorneys experienced in Bankruptcy are Robert H Rosenbaum and M. Evan Meyers, Brett C. Beehler.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSING

The firm has thirty-eight years of experience representing clients throughout Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania before local boards of license commissioners and alcoholic beverage control, as well as in the circuit and appellate courts in the field of alcoholic beverage law.

The firm has represented clients before boards of license commissioners in 13 of Maryland's counties as well as the City of Annapolis and the City of Baltimore. Members of the Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Department have made presentations before the Maryland Bar Association, Prince George's County Bar Association and various industry trade associations. We have also sponsored our own seminars on problems facing the liquor industry.

Attorneys experienced in Alcoholic Beverage Licensing are Linda C. Carter, William V. Meyers and Douglas C. Meister.

ESTATE PLANNING/ADMINISTRATION, WILLS AND PROBATE MATTERS

The firm regularly counsels clients in the field of federal and state taxation of estates, and offers will and trust drafting services that range from the simple reciprocal wills between husband and wife, to more elaborate wills and trusts for the benefit of surviving spouse and children, and the use of inter vivos gifts, either outright, under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act or in trust.

The Wills, Estate Planning and Administration Department is experienced in the probate of wills and the administration of estates in Maryland. Practice in the field of estate planning ties in directly with the firm's activities in the field of business planning.

Attorneys experienced in Estate Planning/Administration, Wills and Probate Matters are William V. Meyers, Edward S. Marin, and Linda C. Carter. For additional information, please visit Estate Planning.

LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE LOBBYING

Regular interaction with state and local government positions the firm to provide guidance to clients seeking to lobby the branches, departments or agencies of state or local governments whose regulations, actions or legislation might have an impact on their business interests.

Attorneys experienced in Legislative and Administrative Lobbying are William V. Meyers, Russell E. Warfel and Linda C. Carter.

		*Areas of Practice* Presently, the firm is divided into practice areas which are supervised and staffed by experienced attorneys who are knowledgeable in their respective fields. These departments include: w Land Use Planning and Development/Administrative Law w Real Estate Transactions w General Business, Corporate, Partnership and Banking Law w Municipal and Municipal Finance Law w Health Care Law w Litigation w Bankruptcy and Creditor's Rights w Alcoholic Beverage Licensing w Estate Planning/Administration, Wills and Probate Matters w Legislative and Administrative Lobbying
		LAND USE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT/ADMINISTRATIVE LAW This department practices law applicable to zoning and all phases of land use and development. It has the capability to take sites through all development processes, to include: rezonings, special exceptions, master plan and sectional map adoptions, subdivisions, water and sewer category changes, site plan reviews, variances, administrative and judicial appeals from administrative decisions, permitting and lobbying on behalf of clients' interests before local and state governing bodies. We regularly represent clients securing governmental approval for the establishment of uses such as: research and technology parks; major employment centers; residential communities; the mining and wet processing of sand and gravel; landfills and other types of solid waste disposal facilities; automobile service stations; learning and day care centers; medical facilities; senior housing; as well as all types of industrial and commercial uses. As a result of the Land Use Department's daily involvement and interaction with local government, our attorneys are familiar with the land development trends and with the various technical issues in the land development field, such as environmental issues (floodplain, wetlands, critical area legislation, tree stand delineations); adequate public facilities issues (transportation, police and fire fighting capability and water and sewer capacity and availability); and recreational issues. Our attorneys coordinate the responsibilities of experts in these various technical fields who are retained to provide critical information for the support of development proposals. The department's ability to be responsive to the needs of our clients is complemented by the functions of other departments within the firm. In conjunction with those other departments, we guide and assist our clients from initially locating appropriate parcels of land through the contract, acquisition and settlement phases, including the financing of acquisition and construction, to project completion and issuance of final occupancy permits. Attorneys experienced in Land Use Planning and Development/Administrative Law are Russell E. Warfel and Michele La Rocca.
		REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Independently and in conjunction with the firm's Land Use and Business Departments, MR&R offers full-service real estate transaction and financing representation. The Real Estate Transactions Department handles the structuring and closing of acquisition and construction financing on behalf of businesses, developers and lending institutions for both residential and commercial ventures. Additional areas of service provided include reviewing title abstracts, preparation and review of sales contracts, settlements, leases, preparation of land use covenants, homeowner association documents, planned unit developments and condominium documentation. The firm has represented a range of clients in this discipline, from the first-time home buyer to nationally known corporations and lending institutions. Attorneys experienced in Real Estate Transactions are Robert H Rosenbaum and William V. Meyers, Brett C. Beehler.
		GENERAL BUSINESS, CORPORATE, PARTNERSHIP AND BANKING LAW This department offers a full range of business counseling for sole proprietorships, limited liability companies, corporations and partnerships, from pre-organization to re-organization. Members of the firm serve as general counsel to various business organizations and financial institutions. Experienced in the organization, acquisition and disposition of small and medium-sized businesses, via stock or asset sales, the department's attorneys engage in the negotiation and drafting of agreements relating to such transactions as well as pre-incorporation agreements, general and limited partnership agreements, limited liability company documents, buy-sell agreements, leases, deferred purchase money promissory notes, security agreements and similar documents. In addition, the department regularly acts as counsel for buyer, seller, lender or borrower in numerous transactions involving the purchase, sale and financing of businesses ranging in size from the fledgling enterprise to the multi-million dollar diversified entity. Attorneys experienced in General Business, Corporate, Partnership and Banking Law are William V. Meyers, Robert H Rosenbaum, Linda C. Carter, M. Evan Meyers and Douglas C. Meister..
		MUNICIPAL AND MUNICIPAL FINANCE LAW The firm's Department of Municipal and Municipal Finance Law has previously served as attorney for Hyattsville, Mount Rainier and Laurel. The firm has served as bond counsel to the City of Hyattsville and the Housing Authority of Prince George's County and as co-bond counsel to the City of Baltimore, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Prince George's County and the Industrial Development Authority of Prince George's County, overseeing the issuance of tax-exempt general obligation, revenue and mortgage revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $4,000,000,000. MR&R also serves as underwriter's counsel and as borrower's counsel in public finance transactions. The firm has also rendered validity and tax opinions in connection with equipment lease-purchase agreements for the cities of Hyattsville and Mount Rainier, and has rendered tax opinions in connection with equipment conditional sales purchases by the City of Takoma Park. Attorney experienced in Municipal and Municipal Finance Law is Frederick J. Stichnoth.
		HEALTH CARE LAW The firm serves as counsel to a major suburban health care provider that operates two hospitals, a free-standing emergency clinic and a nursing home. In its role as counsel, the firm has drafted and enforced the hospitals' medical staff bylaws, negotiated and drafted contracts with physicians in hospital-based departments, rendered numerous formal and informal opinions, and reviewed and drafted internal hospital policies and contracts with external organizations. This enables MR&R to offer assistance in regard to legal issues involving health care providers and matters. In short, the firm effectively represents both the individual and institutional health care provider. Attorneys experienced in Health Care Law are William V. Meyers, Joseph B. Chazen and Gina M. Smith.
		LITIGATION Operating effectively and efficiently in a litigation-prone environment is one of today's greatest business challenges. MR&R strives to provide its clients with legal solutions that minimize the risk of litigation. When litigation becomes a necessary alternative, we do everything possible to provide the most cost-effective services that at the same time meet the client's objectives. Our firm's experienced attorneys have represented clients in all forums within the State of Maryland. These include appearances before administrative agencies, arbitration panels, and the various levels of state and federal courts. The firm has served as litigation counsel for major insurance carriers, general contractors, municipalities and other public entities, developers, resource recovery and management businesses, commercial landlords and tenants, hospitals and health care providers and businesses. Individuals in need of representation and assistance in their own personal matters due to tragedy, serious injury and contractual disputes also seek our counsel and representation. Our litigation services include: w Automobile collisions w Business disputes w Civil rights litigation w Commercial law (sales, commercial paper, collection) w Construction litigation and arbitration w Corporate disputes w Criminal defense w DWI/Traffic cases w Employment discrimination and personnel management w Enforcement of contracts and agreements w Landlord and tenant w Mechanics liens w Medical malpractice w Personal injury and general liability w Insurance Defense and Coverage w Environmental and Toxic Substances Law w Casualty Claims w Life, Health, Disability and Accident Insurance w Professional negligence w Real estate Attorneys experienced in Litigation are Joseph B. Chazen, Paul A. Turkheimer, David A. Carter, Gina M. Smith, M. Evan Meyers, Douglas C. Meister, David J. Martin, Michael R. Acker, Brett C. Beehler, Jennifer L. Banach, Ninette M. Ponton, Jennifer L. Wilson, Chantelle M. Custodio, and Kimberly Longford.
		BANKRUPTCY AND CREDITOR'S RIGHTS This department is experienced in all areas of federal bankruptcy law and represents both creditors and debtors in the forum of the Bankruptcy Court. It has developed a significant practice in the representation of municipal governments as creditors for the recovery of various taxes and other debts. The firm represents various municipalities for several counties in this field of law. Attorneys experienced in Bankruptcy are Robert H Rosenbaum and M. Evan Meyers, Brett C. Beehler.
		ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSING The firm has thirty-eight years of experience representing clients throughout Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania before local boards of license commissioners and alcoholic beverage control, as well as in the circuit and appellate courts in the field of alcoholic beverage law. The firm has represented clients before boards of license commissioners in 13 of Maryland's counties as well as the City of Annapolis and the City of Baltimore. Members of the Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Department have made presentations before the Maryland Bar Association, Prince George's County Bar Association and various industry trade associations. We have also sponsored our own seminars on problems facing the liquor industry. Attorneys experienced in Alcoholic Beverage Licensing are Linda C. Carter, William V. Meyers and Douglas C. Meister.
		ESTATE PLANNING/ADMINISTRATION, WILLS AND PROBATE MATTERS The firm regularly counsels clients in the field of federal and state taxation of estates, and offers will and trust drafting services that range from the simple reciprocal wills between husband and wife, to more elaborate wills and trusts for the benefit of surviving spouse and children, and the use of inter vivos gifts, either outright, under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act or in trust. The Wills, Estate Planning and Administration Department is experienced in the probate of wills and the administration of estates in Maryland. Practice in the field of estate planning ties in directly with the firm's activities in the field of business planning. Attorneys experienced in Estate Planning/Administration, Wills and Probate Matters are William V. Meyers, Edward S. Marin, and Linda C. Carter. For additional information, please visit Estate Planning.
		LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE LOBBYING Regular interaction with state and local government positions the firm to provide guidance to clients seeking to lobby the branches, departments or agencies of state or local governments whose regulations, actions or legislation might have an impact on their business interests. Attorneys experienced in Legislative and Administrative Lobbying are William V. Meyers, Russell E. Warfel and Linda C. Carter.