With over a decade of experience representing more than 10,000 defendants, Mr. O’Brien brings a wealth of courtroom expertise to each client. He has successfully defended hundreds of individuals in criminal trials across Maryland’s District and Circuit courts. His deep knowledge of criminal law allows him to handle complex cases with precision, ensuring every client receives skilled representation. Mr. O’Brien’s legal career began at the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he excelled academically and gained invaluable experience in criminal law. He clerked for one of Maryland’s leading criminal law experts, Professor Byron L. Warnken, and participated in the Appellate Practice Clinic, where he argued a criminal appeal before the Appellate Court of Maryland. These early experiences sharpened his ability to navigate the intricacies of criminal defense. After passing the bar in 2010, Mr. O’Brien served as an attorney with the Office of the Public Defender, where he handled a heavy caseload with professionalism and skill. Over the years, he has developed defense strategies for a wide range of criminal charges, such as criminal law, sex crimes, harassment, and weapons crimes, consistently striving to achieve the best outcomes for his clients. To schedule your free consultation with the Towson Criminal Defense Lawyer, please call our office at 858-523-8423.

Robert Demirji pursued his law degree at the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he contributed as Production Editor for the University of Baltimore Journal of International Law and was a Student Fellow at the Center for International and Comparative Law. His academic background also includes degrees in Criminology & Criminal Justice and Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park. With a wealth of experience in numerous cases, Robert is dedicated to providing strong representation in criminal defense, traffic and personal injury services. His compassionate and thorough approach allows him to address challenging legal situations effectively, ensuring clients receive the support they need. Fluent in Arabic, Robert takes pride in his Lebanese roots and enjoys playing basketball, soccer, and spending time outdoors when not practicing law. To arrange a FREE consultation, please visit the website or contact 301-589-9500 today.

A.J. Serafini grew up in Hagerstown, Maryland, and is the son of former State Senator Andrew Serafini, Sr. He graduated from Grace Academy in 2005 and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Government from Liberty University, graduating summa cum laude in 2008 after just three years. He further pursued his education at Liberty University School of Law, finishing in the top 5 of his class in 2011. During his time at law school, Serafini was active on the moot court board, mentored first-year students, and coordinated the Street Law program, which educates at-risk youth about the law’s significance. He is part of several legal associations, including the Maryland State Bar Association, the Maryland Association for Justice, The National Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. Professionally, A.J. concentrates on his practice in personal injury, medical malpractice, and nursing home abuse. He has achieved notable successes in personal injury cases throughout Western Maryland. He keeps his legal knowledge current by attending continuing education courses through associations like the American Association for Justice and the Maryland State Bar Association. A.J. is also a board member of the Washington County Bar Association and has served on the Judicial Nominating Commission under Governor Larry Hogan. A.J.’s excellence in his field has been recognized with several awards; he was voted Best Attorney in the Herald-Mail Readers' Choice Award in 2018, and received the Herald-Mail Media's “Best of the Tri-state” award in 2019 and 2020. His peers have recognized his skills and dedication with a Top 40 Under 40 ranking from the National Trial Lawyers Association. He has been four times named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers and was recently designated an Elite Lawyer. To schedule a free consultation, contact Serafini Law by filling out a form online, or calling 240-744-1600.

Mallon Snyder has dedicated over 40 years to assisting clients and their families as an attorney. Throughout his career, he has supported not only his clients but also their children and grandchildren. Mr. Snyder pursued a legal education with the intention of actively advocating for his clients, rather than accepting guilty pleas without thorough representation. His entire staff is committed to demonstrating genuine care for their clients, fostering lifelong relationships that lead to referrals from family, friends, and coworkers. Additionally, Mr. Snyder's team maintains strong connections with other attorneys and law firms, consistently receiving client referrals over the years. Attorney Mallon Snyder serves clients in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and eleven other Maryland counties, bringing over four decades of experience to his practice. He has conducted hundreds of jury trials and handled thousands of District Court cases. Mr. Snyder is a former President of both the Montgomery County Bar Association and the Montgomery County Bar Foundation. He also served on the Board of Governors for the Maryland State Bar Association for two years. Currently, he is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association, the Montgomery County Bar Association, and the Maryland State Bar Association. During law school, Mr. Snyder interned with the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office, where he participated in criminal jury trials involving cases of assault, forgery and uttering, and rape. He also managed criminal proceedings related to child abuse and CINA cases in juvenile court. As a former executive committee member of the Montgomery County Bar Association, he established the Recent Practitioners section. Mr. Snyder has been a guest speaker at the University of Maryland and CASA of Maryland and serves as a mentor to many new attorneys.

Sharon T. Diamant has been working as an attorney for over twenty-five years. In October 2000, she became a prosecutor in the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office. She left the state's attorney's office in 2002 and practiced Criminal Law in Hillsborough County, Florida for two years before returning to the state's attorney's office in 2004. Ms. Diamant remained at the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office until 2010, when she opened her own office and went into private practice. While a prosecutor, she handled a wide variety of matters in the District Court Unit, including bad checks, burglary, theft, drunk driving and other traffic offenses, assault, and violations of protective orders (Gazette). In the Juvenile Division, she handled sexual abuse cases involving juvenile offenders. She handled one famous juvenile matter involving a youth who had molested several children in his neighborhood which ultimately led to the first-ever sexual offender legislation which would require juveniles engaged in sexual offenses to register as sex offenders (Washington Post). In 2007, Ms. Diamant joined the white-collar crime team in her office, where she handled the prosecution of a myriad of crimes, including large-scale thefts, embezzlements from employers and the federal government, misappropriations, as well as the investigation of police officer-involved shootings and crimes involving public officials. For the past fifteen years, Sharon has focused her practice on criminal law and domestic law. She appears regularly before Magistrates and Judges on all issues surrounding criminal law and domestic law, to include: contested and uncontested divorce, child custody, child support, peace and protective orders, and post-judgment issues. Sharon also handles cases that cross over between criminal and domestic law. Sharon was featured on WJLA 7 News in a case involving a grandparent's right to custody of a grandchild where the mother is deceased and the father is a convicted criminal. Sharon also handled a case of a woman accused of attempted murder but who never intended to hurt anyone. That client is now receiving mental health treatment, as opposed to being locked up in a jail. Sharon is a client's biggest advocate and at the same time acts as a mentor and friend. She personally answers her phone calls, answers all emails and texts, and is always available to her clients. She is an experienced litigator with 25 years of trial experience, but she also mediates for clients and promotes non-litigation strategies, where appropriate. Sharon is a 1999 graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law and is licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland, the State of Florida, and the US District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland. Sharon was also admitted to the US Supreme Court. She has been selected to the Super Lawyers list for the State of Maryland in 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. She is a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association, the Women's Bar Association, the Sobeloff Society, the Collaborative Divorce Law Society, the National College for DUI Defense, the Montgomery County Ethics Committee, the Montgomery County Criminal Law Society, and the Inns of Court. Sharon also sits on Montgomery County's Judicial Nominating Commission and is a board member with the Sobeloff Society. She has won Avvo's Client Choice Award and has a "superb" rating on Avvo.com. We are open 24/7, so give us a call today at 301-560-2685.

Michael Schreyer is an advocate for the injured. He is a leader among injury attorneys in the state of Maryland, and across the greater Washington, DC region. Mr. Schreyer’s experience and record of success in the courtroom has led to the recognition of his skills, including: a “National Recognition of Achievement in Civil Trial Advocacy” from the Million Dollar Advocates Forum; “Preeminent,” from Martindale-Hubbell; “Superb” from AVVO; as well as membership in Super Lawyers. Mr. Schreyer currently serves as a member of the Interstate Trucking Group of the American Association of Justice, which provides leadership and education for the nation’s advocates for victims of catastrophic injuries in tractor trailer and bus collisions. Mr. Schreyer also serves as a member on the National Advisory Board of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA). He is also an active member of the Medical Malpractice Section of the Maryland Association for Justice. In the past, Mr. Schreyer has served in the position of Chairman of the Negligence, Insurance and Workers’ Compensation Section of the Maryland State Bar Association. He has tried cases and negotiated claims with some of the largest insurance companies in the world. His experience as a personal injury and workers’ compensation attorney has taken him to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States, the Court of Appeals of Maryland, and many of the trial courts in Maryland and Washington, DC. Mr. Schreyer has seen first hand the devastating physical and financial toll an injury can cause when others violate rules of safe conduct. He understands that without a fair and full verdict, an injury victim may never fully recover. Whether he is working on a car collision, truck crash, motorcycle wreck, pedestrian injury, construction catastrophe, medical malpractice or workers’ compensation case, Mr. Schreyer understands that each client faces a unique set of challenges. He applies his extensive knowledge of personal injury law, insurance, evidence, medicine and loss of earnings and disability to address the specific circumstances of each of his clients. He has been doing that since graduating from one of the nation’s top 20 law schools, The Washington and Lee University School of Law, and receiving a Juris Doctorate in 1988. Mr. Schreyer’s passion for aiding others has led him to contribute to a wide variety of organizations, including the Pope John Paul II Academy, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Following the September 11, 2001, Pentagon and Twin Towers attacks, Mr. Schreyer was honored for his charitable representation of a victim through the Trial Lawyers Care Project of the American Association for Justice. While his litigation resulted in an award of more than one million dollars for a wounded hero, he accepted no legal fee for his work.

Mr. Melehy began his legal career in 1987 as a judicial law clerk to Maryland Court of Appeals Judge William H. Adkins II, followed by eight years as an Assistant Attorney General with the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. During that time, he developed significant courtroom experience and became a seasoned trial lawyer. Since 1997, Mr. Melehy has focused on advocating for employees in disputes involving wage violations, discrimination, and other workplace injustices, representing clients across both the private sector and federal government. He has secured numerous favorable verdicts, judgments, and settlements, many of which have resulted in lasting changes to employment law. Mr. Melehy holds an AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell — the highest available — reflecting his legal ability and ethical standards. He is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia and has served in leadership roles with several employment rights and civil justice organizations, including MWELA and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. If you're facing an issue with your employer and need strong legal representation, contact Melehy & Associates LLC today at 301-587-6364 or complete our contact form to schedule your free consultation.

Marla Zide’s interest in the law began at a young age, inspired by her father’s work as an attorney. A native of New England, she moved to Maryland in 1993 to attend Goucher College, earning a degree in psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies. She later graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2001, focusing her studies on family law. During law school, she gained valuable experience through the Family Law Clinic and her work with the Maryland Legal Service Network, where she helped expand access to legal resources across the state. Since her admission to the Maryland Bar in 2001, Ms. Zide has dedicated her practice to guiding clients through family law matters, including divorce, custody, visitation, support, and adoption. She has represented parents, grandparents, and children in Anne Arundel County and throughout Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Harford County, and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Known for her compassionate approach, she strives to provide clear guidance and strong advocacy during times of uncertainty and stress. Marla Zide’s professional achievements have earned her recognition as a “Super Lawyer” in Family Law from 2013 to 2025 and inclusion among the “Top 50 Women Attorneys in Maryland” for multiple years. She remains active in the legal community through her involvement with the Maryland State Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association, and the Anne Arundel County Bar Association. To speak with Ms. Zide about your family law concerns, call 410-760-9433 to schedule a consultation or complete our online contact form.

When you speak with Ben for even a few minutes, it’s impossible to ignore his energy. His enthusiasm comes both from his roles as Attorney, Chief Executive Officer, and Owner at CHASENBOSCOLO, and, more importantly, his passion for people. When it comes to his clients, he is a trial lawyer whose sole focus is on fighting for his client’s rights. Ben cannot tolerate a world where working men and women are not treated fairly by the legal system. Ben and the CHASENBOSCOLO team believe in better. They work tirelessly to hold wrongdoers accountable and help their clients overcome troubles. Ben was taught the importance of the right way to earn respect at a young age by his grandfathers - one of whom immigrated from Italy and the other who was a mechanical engineer. Throughout his life, he’s seen firsthand how people in power take advantage of honest, hard working men and women. Ben is thankful the skills his education and experience have helped develop. He believes he is obligated to use these skills to fight for those of us who are stepped on and bullied. This uncompromising integrity and commitment to clients has allowed him to help grow the firm from one lawyer to more than thirty lawyers. Practicing law is more than just verdicts and settlements—Ben fights for true change. He works to make sure that not only his clients’ rights—but just as importantly the rights of others—are protected for years to come. In each cases he handles, Ben demonstrates a commitment to pursuing justice for us all. For example, he once represented an injured truck driver who was denied workers’ compensation benefits on the ground that he was a sub-contractor and not an employee of the company. The truck driver initially lost his case. Ben could not imagine giving up on his client.He and his team faced the challenge by appealing to the highest court in the District of Columbia, where they won. CHASENBOSCOLO's efforts not only got the truck driver the benefits he needed to care for his family, but also expanded the coverage of the workers’ compensation law to protect more of men and women who work in the District of Columbia. As a consequence of fighting for his client Ben protected the rights of men and women who work in the District of Columbia.

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.