Michael Katz practices exclusively family/child welfare law and education law. Michael has dedicated his professional career to assisting families navigate the often complex and emotionally challenging child welfare and education law arenas. Michael strongly believes that his clients need to be knowledgeable about legal issues directly impacting their families so that they can be empowered to make decisions that best meet the needs of their families. Michael has been involved with issues relating to child welfare for the past twenty years both as an educator and an attorney. Michael grew up in Baltimore County and attended Boys’ Latin School. After high school he attended Towson State University graduating with a degree in Elementary Education. Throughout college, Michael worked each summer with cognitively challenged youth and continues to this day to volunteer with various organizations that assist mentally and cognitively limited youth. He began his professional career as a teacher of special education students in Baltimore County and then as an elementary school teacher in Baltimore City before entering law school. While Michael thoroughly enjoyed his teaching experience, he felt that he could better serve children as a legal advocate. Michael graduated Magna Cum Laude, in the top 10% of his class, from the University of Baltimore Law School. While in law school he completed various internships with private and public agencies that centered on child welfare issues including Legal Aid’s Child Advocacy Unit and Advocates for Children and Youth. Upon being admitted to the Maryland Bar, Michael accepted employment as an Assistant Public Defender with the Office of the Public Defender, Child in Need of Assistance Division. This position allowed Michael to fully develop his litigation skills, foster relationships with court personnel, and provided the opportunity to observe the positive impact an experienced, knowledgeable, pro-active attorney can have on the life of a child. After three years of employment with the Office of the Public Defender, Michael accepted a position as staff attorney with the Law Office of Darlene A. Wakefield, P.A. For the last nine years, Michael has served first as Supervising Attorney then as Managing Attorney. Over the past nineteen years, the Law Office of Darlene A. Wakefield, P.A., through contracts with the state of Maryland, has been the second largest provider of legal advocacy services for abused/neglected children, representing well over twenty-five thousand children. Michael has represented over a thousand children and continues to represent parents in child welfare cases as he believes he brings a unique perspective to parents regarding how their actions affect their children. Michael has received certification to serve both as a Court Appointed Child’s Counsel in family law cases and as a mediator in Maryland Courts. Michael also represents parents in education matters as he has extensive experience advocating at Individual Education Plan Meetings and Due Process hearings. Education advocacy allows Michael to advocate for the services children need to be successful. Michael strongly believes that regardless of the socio-economic environment in which a child is raised, education truly is the key to a successful future for all children. Michael has extensive experience handling all aspects of Estate Planning. He enjoys helping individuals and couples plan for their future by ensuring that all life and legacy needs are honored. Michael and his extended family reside in Baltimore County. Michael is an avid sports fan who was fortunate to be able to attend the Raven’s victorious Super Bowl win. He also enjoys animals, traveling, and volunteer work with children’s organizations.

Since earning his law degree in 2004, David Marquardt has devoted his career to family law, guiding clients through matters involving divorce, property division, financial support, child custody, and protective orders. He approaches each case with empathy and determination, understanding that his clients are often navigating one of the most challenging times in their lives. David works diligently to secure fair and amicable resolutions that serve his clients’ best interests, yet he also prepares every case with precision should court intervention become necessary. His balanced approach reflects his commitment to helping families find stability and hope for the future. A lifelong resident of Montgomery County, Maryland, David earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. Returning to his home state, he takes great pride in serving his community both inside and outside the courtroom. David’s dedication and professionalism have earned him the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, recognizing the highest standards of ethical conduct and legal ability. He has also been featured in Super Lawyers magazine and included among The Best Lawyers in America. Outside of work, he enjoys time with his children, playing soccer, sampling new Oreo flavors, and volunteering for local charities. To discuss your family law or divorce matter with David Marquardt, contact DM Family Law at 443-545-8100 or complete our online contact form today.

Johanna Kelley, founder of J Kelley Law Group, obtained her law degree in Colombia in 2001, where she practiced Labor, Constitutional, Administrative, Human Rights, International Law and International Business Law. She advised private companies, local and international human rights organizations, governmental agencies, the Colombian Army and grassroots community organizations, with a broad portfolio that included innovative initiatives and the improvement of Colombia’s image abroad. She prepared and accompanied cases of Colombian citizens before the Organization of American States (OAS). After immigrating to the United States, she found that the policy and Immigration Law of this country were a perfect fit for her professional development project and after graduating with Master’s degrees in Law (Duke University) and International Development Policy (Sanford School of Public Policy), she founded in 2013 a non-profit organization aimed at protecting and promoting immigrant rights and social justice. In July 2015, she left the nonprofit sector to serve in government. She began working for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as a supervisor, a wonderful experience professionally and personally, which allowed her to participate in ensuring the integrity of the US immigration system, provide immigration benefits and support the country’s Homeland Security. In November 2017, Johanna Kelley said goodbye to USCIS to kick off the biggest of her work projects: building her own law firm. The founder of our firm believes in legal development and empowerment, therefore, she has been involved in public discussions at mass events and through the media. She hosted the television program ‘Batalla Política’ for the international news channel NTN24 and is a frequent analyst on radio stations and Hispanic channels such as Telemundo, Caracol Televisión, Univisión and RCN News. Mrs. Kelley leads a team committed to the cases of clients and investors, and we are grateful every day for the opportunity to serve our community with professionalism, ethics, and positive results generated through teamwork.