Of Counsel
“People often don’t understand that the legal system isn’t necessarily designed to be a moral system. It’s a system that has been set up to help humans function together in the safest, fairest and most organized way; sometimes, that doesn’t feel like the most moralistic way. I strive to help my clients find clarity in a world of confusion by listening to their story and working with them to find an ending that is as peaceful and positive as possible.”
While working as a paralegal for the Department of Social Services, Jennifer realized she had the potential and desire to do more to help children and families within her community. This realization compelled her to change careers and attend St. Mary’s College of Maryland and then continue on to get her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. Meeting with new clients, establishing relationships and watching them grow from their experience while working with her is one of Jennifer’s favorite parts of the job, and has been since her early days as a paralegal.
In her Family Law practice, Jennifer takes a reasonable and calm approach that is mindful of the needs of everyone involved. Because of this level-headedness and poise, Jennifer is often requested by the courts and private counsel to mediate high-conflict custody and marital property cases. When she’s not in court for a hearing or in conference with a Judge on behalf of her clients, she is meeting with her clients to work through issues or prepare them for court. She strives to keep the lines of communication open between her and her clients or other attorneys, working with them toward a fair outcome for all involved. After listening to her clients’ histories and concerns, she works with them to set goals and create an action plan for achieving them.
Jennifer applies the same insightfulness and compassion to the clients she serves through her Estate Planning & Probate practice. For these clients, Jennifer will often travel to the homes of the elderly, or visit with them at their nursing homes or hospitals, so as to help those in need get their Wills and Powers of Attorneys squared away. She also works closely with clients who have been tasked with the responsibility of following their loved ones’ last wishes and meeting the many legal requirements to take care of their estates.
As a lawyer, Jennifer’s primary goal is to understand all the complexities and inner-workings of the legal system, which she is able to do thanks to her 20+ years of experience working in the legal world. This way, she can help her clients navigate their way through simpler matters (like filing for an uncontested divorce, drafting a simple will, or handling a small estate) to the more emotionally-charged matters (like deciding to leave a spouse or handling a dispute over custody) in the best way possible. While she understands that it’s rarely possible to get a client everything they want, she works hard to keep everyone moving forward in a positive manner, with the goal of causing as little harm as possible to all those involved.
Education
- St. Mary’s College of Maryland, B.S. , Cum Laude
- University of Maryland School of Law, Juris Doctor
Bar Admissions
- Maryland State Bar
- Calvert County Bar
- Charles County Bar
- St. Mary’s County Bar
- Washington, D.C. Bar
Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Family Law Section & Elder Law
- Active Member of the MSBA Family Law and Elder Law Sections
- Prior Member of the MSBA Family Law Section Council
- Former President of Calvert County and Southern Maryland Women’s Bar Associations
