Lawyer Overview

Began practice of law in Prince George's County, Maryland in June of 1975, as a litigation associate primarily concentrating in personal injury and death claims, with the firm of Schwartzbach and Wortman in College Park, Maryland. In 1976, appointed Associate Attorney for the Prince George's Housing Authority and began private solo practice in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Initially opened offices in Crofton, Maryland in 1977, and moved to the present location of the firm of Whitworth & Trunnell, P. A. in 1979, where offices have been maintained constantly through to present.
Engaged in the private practice of law full time since 1975, maintaining a general civil and litigation practice in State and Federal courts. Have successfully tried over one hundred jury trials and represented clients in numerous administrative and appellate proceedings.

Litigation experience includes professional negligence, personal injury, death claims, civil rights, commercial litigation, intentional torts, and product liability. Civil litigation experience has been predominantly the representation of plaintiffs; however, on a number of occasions, representation has included both medical and legal professionals in defense of professional negligence claims, or licensing issues, both with or without defense insurance coverage.

Significant legal accomplishments include developing a reputation in the mid-Atlantic region as a consultant, expert and litigator in the field of attorney-client relations, including intra-attorney disputes and law firm dissolutions, as well as attorney grievances, fee disputes and attorney professional negligence. Since 1976, over 800 legal malpractice claims have been handled through trial or other successful resolution. Additional experience includes being retained either as a testifying or consulting expert related to the standard of care and related professional practice issues in both State and Federal courts in numerous venues.

Areas of Practice

• Civil Rights
• Commercial Litigation
• Death Claims
• Intentional Torts
• Personal Injury
• Product Liability
• Professional Negligence
• Professional Licensing

Representative Cases

• Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland v. Robert Joseph O'Neill, III, 285 Md. 52,400 A.2d 415 (1979)
• Vietnam Veterans Foundation, et al. v. Ellis E. Erdman, et at, CA No. 84-0940 (United States District Court for the District of Columbia)
• Bernard V. Osterman v. Prince George's County, September Term No. 109 (Court of Special Appeals of Maryland 1980)
• Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company, Inc., et al. v. Sew Vac World, Inc., September Term No. 1595 (Court of Special Appeals of Maryland 1985)
• John W. Steffey, Sr., et al. v. Kidde Consultants, Inc., September Term No. 1513 (Court of Special Appeals of Maryland 1987)
• William Chesley v. Goldstein & Baron, Chtd., et al., 806 A.2d 296 (2002)
• William Chesley v. Goldstein & Baron, Chtd., et al., 825 A.2d 985 (2003)

Bar Admissions

• Maryland, 1975
• District of Columbia, 1976
• U.S. District Court District of Maryland, 1976
• U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit, 1976
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1996
• U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 2006

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Anne Arundel County (Member)
• Prince George's County (Member)
• Maryland State Bar Association (Member)
• District of Columbia Bar Association (Member)
• Maryland Trial Lawyers Association (Member)
• Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. (Member)
• American Association For Justice (Member)
• American Bar Association (Member)

Honors and Awards

• Awarded AV Peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Address

2101 Defense Highway
Maryland Route 450
Crofton, MD 21114

Phones

(301) 261-0035 (Washington)
(410) 721-7169 (Annapolis)
(410) 793-3977 (Baltimore)
(866) 328-0600 (Toll Free)

Faxes

(301) 261-0114 (Washington)
(410) 793-0291 (Baltimore)

Emails

Contact Us

Websites

http://www.wstlaw.com