Richard brings over twenty years of experience in estates and trusts law. A former Vice President of the Trust Department at Mercantile-Safe Deposit and Trust Company (now PNC), Richard dealt with the administration of estates, various kinds of trusts for individuals and charities and the administration and taxation of trusts and estates.

While in the private practice of law, Richard has counseled individuals about the creation of estate plans, taking into account the nature of each client’s assets, complex estate, gift and income tax matters, and family circumstances. He works closely with the client’s other advisors, such as accountants, insurance agents, investment advisors and employee benefit consultants to develop an estate plan that maximizes the value of the assets that are being passed along while minimizing the taxes that affect the client’s plans. He has represented beneficiaries and fiduciaries on all aspects of trust and estate administration, including the validity and interpretation of the controlling documents, general administrative matters and estate, gift and income tax matters.

Because of his depth and breadth of knowledge, Richard is a sought-after lecturer for courses taught to lawyers, accountants and other professionals. He has also served as an expert witness on cases involving trust accountings, trust operations and the interpretation of wills and trust documents.

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Marquette University, J.D., 1978

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with honors, B.S., 1975

American Bar Association

Section on Real Property, Probate & Trust Law

Tax Section

Baltimore Estate Planning Council

Board of Directors, 2003-2006

Catholic Charities of Greater Baltimore

Planned Giving Advisory Committee

Chair, 2007-2008

Maryland Bar Foundation

Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development

Tax Advisor

Maryland Institute of Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers

Board of Directors

Board of Trustees

Maryland State Bar Association

Estates & Trusts Section

Section Council, 2003-2007

Chair, 2007-2008

Tax Section

Section Council, 2002-2006

American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow

Listed in Maryland Super Lawyers for Estates Planning & Probate, 2008

Legal Excellence Award, Maryland Bar Foundation, 2003

Co-author with Michael W. Davis, "Uniform Power of Attorney Act," Maryland Bar Journal, 2008

Presenter, "Mental Capacity and Competency Issues," MICPEL, 2005

Presenter, "When Does Persuasion Become Coercion" Chesapeake Planned Giving Council, 2005

Presenter, "Dynasty Trusts," Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants 36th Annual Tax Conference

Presenter, "Pre and Post-Mortem Planning for Non-Probate Assets," MICPEL, 2003

Presenter, "Essential Fiduciary Tax, Accounting and Investment Rules Accountants Should Know," Maryland Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 2002

Presenter, "An ESBT QSST Potpourie," American Bar Association Section of Taxation, 2002

Presenter, " Income Taxation of Estate and Trusts," MICPEL, 2002

Presenter, "Federal Estate Tax Controversies," Maryland State Bar Association Estates and Gift Tax Study Group, 2001

Presenter, "Maryland Legislative Update," MICPEL Advanced Estate Planning Institute

Presenter, "Federal Estate Tax Audits," MICPEL, 2001

Presenter, "The New Uniform Principal and Income Act: How It Works and How It Affects Trust Operations," Maryland State Bar Association Annual Meeting, 2001

Presenter, "Principal and Income Act – Its Importance to Accountants," Capital Region, 2001

Partner, Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC

Vice President, Trust Division, Mercantile-Safe Deposit and Trust Company

Associate, Denny and Yanisch