Family Law Attorney

I founded this firm in 1997. At that time, I had a handful of clients and made quite a leap of faith by branching out on my own. However, I had a great mentor, the late Paul B. Rodbell, Esq., and truly helpful experience through earlier employment at two highly regarded Maryland law firms. When this firm first opened, I operated from a small office, sublet from a generous attorney and friend. Slowly and carefully, I built my practice and the firm. Today, I have a full staff and moved in 2011 to our newly re-developed office building in the Glen Burnie.

I decided to become a lawyer while in high school and have been licensed to practice since 1990. I knew early on that the law was the right profession for me, and I graduated from the University of Maryland – College Park with a degree in Law Enforcement. However, I wasn’t sure at the start of law school (University of Maryland at Baltimore, this time) what practice areas would be most interesting to me and, at the same time, best fit my skill set. During law school, I was truly blessed by working in the office of the General Counsel the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Here, I was able to work on a range of issues, from the commission’s police force to zoning and land use. The zoning experience at the commission paved the way to my next great experience working for a law firm in Prince George’s County where I expanded my zoning practice along with general business law and real estate transactions. I then became an associate at a law firm in Howard County, Maryland where I further expanded my zoning practice into Howard and Anne Arundel Counties and in more complex real estate transactions and financing, representing both lenders and borrowers for residential and commercial transactions.

Currently, I truly enjoy all manner of real estate and business cases often because I like solving the mathematical complexities presented by cases involving business matters and property issues. I joking call this area ‘math law’. I concentrate my practice in areas such as real estate, bankruptcy, financing, business transactions, zoning, and contracts. Client success in these areas requires meticulous attention to detail and the innate ability to follow the numbers to the desired result. It is precisely these traits that I put to the service of our clients.

Amanda Schmidt was born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. In college, Amanda realized her dream of becoming a family law attorney. She went on to attend the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she argued cases in District Court & Circuit Court for economically disadvantaged clients for the Family Law Clinic. She was also a participant in the Center for Families, Courts, and Children, where she became involved in the Truancy Court Program. She interned for the Honorable Yolanda Tanner and Master Claudette Brown at the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Juvenile Division. Amanda also obtained her mediation certification while attending law school.

After graduating from Law School, Amanda was selected to clerk for Domestic Relations Master William M. Dunn at the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Family Law Division. After her clerkship, she immediately went on to work for Ward & Co. Chtd. where she has concentrated on further developing the family practice of the firm.

A Columbia, Maryland native, Bradley Shepherd is a Glen Burnie criminal defense attorney who is passionate about providing top-notch legal services to clients throughout the local community. Bradley graduated from Oakland Mills High School and went on to attend Saint Mary's College of Maryland, graduating with a dual degree in Economics and Sociology. After completing his undergraduate education, Bradley enrolled at the University of Baltimore School of Law.

While working two jobs throughout law school, and in addition to his studies, Bradley competed on the University's National Trial Advocacy Team. He has interned with the Honorable Louis A Becker, III of Howard County's Circuit Court, as well as with Warnken, LLC, which is led by the renowned Maryland criminal defense attorney Byron L. Warnken, Esq.

Bradley began working for Ward & Co., Chtd. as a law clerk while in his second year of law school. Since being admitted to the Maryland Bar, Bradley has been practicing as an Associate at Ward & Co., Chtd. Bradley's practice area is diverse, and his ability to diagnose legal issues ranging through a multitude of legal fields is one of his greatest assets to clients. Whether you have an estate planning/administration issue, personal injury case, family law, landlord-tenant disputes, bankruptcy/debt problems, or if you need a civil litigation attorney, business law consultation, or criminal defense attorney, Bradley Shepherd is committed to helping those who are in need.