ABOUT FARTHING & FARTHING PC

Partner 3/1/2002 – Present 

Associate 8/1/1994-3/1/2002 

 Average hours per week: varied between 25 and 45

                     

 Extensive experience in trusts and estate planning, estate-related civil litigation, will contests, adult guardianships, elder law, special needs planning, and probate. Conducted general civil litigation at the administrative, circuit, and appellate levels. I have negotiated contracts, including a contract for software acquisition for an insurance association, many pre-nuptial agreements, legal settlements, and contracts involving various real estate matters. Represented clients in arbitration proceedings, and negotiated commercial lease contracts on behalf of the law firm itself. Plaintiff matters have included recovery of over $800,000 in funds for one client, and IRA funds of over $100,000 for another client. Defense matters have included successfully defending constructive trust and related cases. The majority of the current practice is drafting wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and advising clients on the income and estate and gift tax implications of their estate plans. Many clients include specific charitable bequests and charitable gift annuities as part of their estate plans. Frequently conducted seminars for civic groups on both estate planning and planning for incapacity.

Attorney Adviser 8/22/1993-7/15/1994

Average hours per week: 40

                     

As a member of the Heathrow Arbitration Team arbitrating against the United Kingdom over user charges at Heathrow Airport, provided legal research and case support, including drafting the procedural portion of brief on motion for clarifications, discovery review, participating in formulating litigation and settlement strategies, drafting information requests, responses to information requests, memoranda reviewing the progress of settlement discussions, and an assessment of potential damages theories. After the Heathrow case settled, became the main legal adviser to a small department in the Buildings and Acquisitions department, advising the employee associations and oversight office on legal questions, including tort and contract actions, regulations, and the use of diplomatic privileges by personnel stationed overseas. During the employment at the Department of State, held a security clearance at the top secret level.

Attorney Attorney, 10/1/1991-8/16/1993

Average hours per week: 55

                     

Assisted in various civil litigation matters, including the defense of a class action against automobile manufacturer and an administrative hearing on energy regulatory matter. Won an application for stay of deportation for client in a pro bono immigration case, and litigated a political asylum case on behalf of client from El Salvador. Drafted briefs, motions, requests to admit, interrogatories, and document requests. Took depositions of individual witnesses and class plaintiffs, conduct the cross-examination of a witness in an administrative hearing, and wrote legal memoranda on liability and other issues as assigned.