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I'm a Maryland Attorney who has worked with many families (divorces, custody, support, adoption) and helped many individuals with their estate planning.  I've represented construction companies, a nursing college, hospice companies, an assisted living network, the United States Food and Drug Administration,  the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, the Public Health Law Network, the Center for Tobacco Regulation, and multiple federal defense contractors.  I received my Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law (the nationally ranked top tier law school and second oldest law school in the United States), where I graduated from its famous Law and Health Care Program (recognized nationwide as the second best program in the country).  I worked in the University's Clinical Law program, which is ranked fifth in the U.S. and provides more than 110,000 hours of free legal services to Maryland's poorest citizens each year.

Chris came to the firm approximately 23 years ago as a courier and then a law clerk. He earned a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the Towson State University and then, in 2002, graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law with a concentration in family law and litigation and has remained with the firm as Partner. Chris is admitted to practice before the Maryland Court of Appeals, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.Chris was born and raised in Howard County with family roots in the County spanning nearly 100 years. He has practiced in the County his entire career. He has tried and handled cases in nearly every county in the State of Maryland, including the Courts of Appeal, Howard County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Wicomico County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Washington County, and Allegany County. He has successfully handled matters relating to construction law, domestic relations law, criminal matters, landlord/tenant matters, estate administration, personal injury, and contract disputes.During his years with the firm, Chris has become an integral part of the practice. Chris devotes his time to trial advocacy in the areas of criminal and civil law.

Ms. Leatherman received her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in May 2012, after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Neuroscience and Media and Communications Studies, summa cum laude, from Ursinus College in May 2009. While at Ursinus College, Ms. Leatherman worked as a legal assistant, focusing primarily on family law litigation. She co-authored several publications, as well as a book chapter, on research to provide solutions for protecting children from cyber-predators. While in law school, Ms. Leatherman interned at the Circuit Court for Howard County, Maryland under the Asper Fellowship Program. Ms. Leatherman also represented individuals in civil cases as a Rule 16 Student Attorney with the law school’s Health Care Delivery and Child Welfare Legal Issues Clinic. Ms. Leatherman received the Ward Kershaw Clinical Advocacy Prize, presented to students who excel in client advocacy, for her work in the clinic. In addition, Ms. Leatherman received the Rose Zetzer Fellow Award for her work in the Women, Leadership and Equality Program. Ms. Leatherman joined Weinberg & Schwartz, L.L.C. as a law clerk in June 2010. She remained in this role until she was sworn into the Maryland Bar in December 2012 and became an associate attorney with the firm. Along with being a certified mediator and a collaboratively trained attorney, Ms. Leatherman is trained to serve as court appointed counsel for children in high conflict domestic cases.

I received myBachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Frostburg State University in May 2009 where I was an active member of Delta Zeta National Sorority and the Student Government Association.. After college, I spent two years as a legal assistant before attending law school. I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law in May 2014. While in law school, I worked for several law firms, gaining experience in criminal and family law.. For the first year after law school, I served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Nancy M. Purpura in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. I spent six months of her judicial clerkship in the family law rotation and was exposed to a variety of family law matters.. I was admitted to the Maryland bar in December 2014 and I joined Weinberg & Schwartz, L.L.C. in August 2015.. Professional Associations:

My domestic law experience began while completing an internship in the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office. I realized the need for not only aggressive litigation, but compassion for those who were victimized.. This experience led me to focus my career path on domestic law because of the unique dynamic it creates. Clients find themselves in a legal battle against their spouse or child’s parent. During this sensitive time, I take my legal skills and experience to fight for clients’ rights while incorporating an element of compassion towards my clients behind the scenes.. Prior to joining the Law Office of James E. Crawford, Jr. and Associates, LLC in May of 2016, I had my own domestic firm located in Baltimore County.. I'm a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Baltimore County Bar Association. I’m previously a member of Baltimore County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service: Family Law Panel Member; Civil Justice, Inc.; Women’s Law Center’s Judicare Program; Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service (MVLS); and MVLS’ Judicare Program.. I earned my Bachelor of Arts Degree from DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania and my Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.. I live in Carroll County, Maryland and enjoy spending time with my husband and our dogs.

Effective and compasionate representation at affordable rates.  I focus on Domestic Relations and Family law, tenant/landlord disputes, criminal infractions, traffic citations, health care issues and Mediation.  I am a certified mediator (NC). Mediation can be an effective way to settle differences with other parties without the cost, stress and time of a court proceeding.  I have been practicing for 23 years in general practice and can assist my clients with the everyday issues that they face by helping them understand the intricacies of legal issues before they turn into a nightmare.

Jan-Paul Lukas is a native to the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  His advocacy skills began during his collegiate career as a member of top 10 National Mock Trial Team in the country. Through law school he continued to hone his advocacy skills by participating in  courses from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy under the direction of a prestigious Circuit Court Judge. After Law School Mr. Lukas was choosen to be a Judicial Law Clerk in the Circuit Court of Wicomico County for the Adminstrative Judge. Now in private practice his practice is focused on crifamily law and criminal defense.  Mr. Lukas also handles a variety of legal issues, so whatever questions you may have, he will diligently represent you in your legal action.  Call and schedule a consultation.

Meghan Forbes has lived the majority of her life on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She attended James M. Bennett High School and graduated in 2003. After high school she attended the University of Maryland in College Park, where she studied Government and Politics. She became interested in political science and law after she travelled to Turkey and connected with two American diplomats, which also sparked her interest in studying International Law. After she graduated in 2007, she worked for the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation as a Labor Exchange Specialist where she assisted underprivileged clients in creating resumes and obtaining employment.. She began attending the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2009, where she continued her focus on International Law. During her time in school, she gained legal experience working for the Law Offices of Peter Angelos, PC and the Maryland Attorney General’s Office in the Consumer Protection Division.. Meghan became involved in Alternate Dispute Resolution during her time in law school and is certified in Alternative Dispute Resolutions by the University of Baltimore School of Law. She recently completed her Apprentice Mediator training through the Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence to become a court appointed mediator. She is also involved in the Young Lawyers Section Council as the Wicomico Circuit Representative.. Meghan has always been involved in bettering her community, especially focusing on supporting youth–orientated endeavors by working with Camp Odyssey and volunteering for Optimist Club of Salisbury “friend of youth” programs throughout the year.

My mission is to provide outstanding,personalized representation, focusing on the long-term effects of family lawdisputes.  My Firm is devoted to thearea of domestic relations and family law.  As a small firm, we are uniquely suited to afford client matters the individualized attention they deserve.   We represent both men andwomen in all areas of domestic relations, including divorce, child custody andaccess, child support, spousal support, domestic violence, separation and propertysettlement agreements, marital settlement agreements, grandparent and thirdparty custody and visitation, and adoptions.. I am a certified mediator and am trained in the practice of Collaborative Family Law, both alternative forms ofdispute resolution designed to create solutions without the need to go tocourt.  While my goal is to assist ourclients in reaching an amicable resolution of their family conflict, I zealously litigate those matters which cannot be resolved alternatively.. Additionally, I have the privilege of providing representation of minor children as appointed by the Court.