Congratulations to the Six Rollins, Smalkin, Richards & Mackie LLC Attorneys That Have Been Named to the 2025 Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List!

The Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars are exclusive lists of top-rated attorneys in specific practice areas who were chosen after thorough evaluation of numerous criteria.  Each year, approximately five percent (5%) of Maryland attorneys are selected as "Super Lawyers" and two-and-a-half percent (2.5%) are selected as "Rising Stars."  We could not be any prouder of our attorneys!

Super Lawyers

 James R. Andersen: Selected to Super Lawyers: 2017 – 2025

James R. Andersen is an attorney providing legal services covering Personal Injury - General: Defense, Insurance Coverage and Personal Injury - Products: Defense.

James Andersen, who practices law in Baltimore, Maryland, was selected to Super Lawyers for 2017 - 2025. This peer designation is awarded only to a select number of accomplished attorneys in each state. The Super Lawyers selection process takes into account peer recognition, professional achievement in legal practice, and other cogent factors.

Prior to becoming an attorney, he studied at University of Baltimore School of Law. He graduated in 1988. After passing the bar exam, he was admitted to legal practice in 1988.

Paul Donoghue: Selected to Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2018, 2020 - 2025

Paul Donoghue is a Workers' Compensation: Employer / Insurance attorney working in Baltimore, Maryland. Paul Donoghue works as an attorney at Rollins, Smalkin, Richards & Mackie, L.L.C. As one of a small number of attorneys selected to Super Lawyers, Paul Donoghue gained this recognition through professional achievement, peer recognition, and other distinguishing criteria. He graduated from University of Baltimore School of Law in 1985. He was subsequently admitted to legal practice in 1987 after passing the bar exam.

Tara A. Barnes: Selected to Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2025 | Selected to Rising Stars: 2015 - 2018

Tara A. Barnes, an attorney with Rollins, Smalkin, Richards & Mackie, L.L.C. in Baltimore, Maryland, helps clients address Civil Litigation: Defense situations.

She received legal training from The University of Maryland School of Law. She graduated from law school in 2004. Tara Barnes became licensed to practice law in 2004.

Tara Barnes was selected to Super Lawyers. The designation means that she is a top-rated attorney as recognized by peers. She was selected to Super Lawyers for 2023 - 2025.

Rising Stars

Ashley M. Bond: Selected to Rising Stars: 2021 – 2025

Ashley M. Bond is a top-rated attorney practicing in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Providing legal representation in Maryland for a variety of different issues, Ashley Bond was selected to Rising Stars for 2021 - 2025. She is admitted to practice before the courts in Maryland.

After completing undergraduate studies, Ashley M. Bond attended law school. Ashley Bond was enrolled at University of Baltimore School of Law. She earned a juris doctor degree in 2016. Ashley Bond was admitted to the practice of law in 2016.

Attorneys like Ashley M. Bond are recognized by their peers for their outstanding work and commitment to the spirit of the legal profession. Their knowledge of the law, professional work ethic, and advocacy on behalf of their clients allow them to stand out among other attorneys in the field.

Ashley Bond represents clients with Civil Litigation: Defense issues.

Benjamin A. Beasley: Selected to Rising Stars: 2022 - 2025

Benjamin Beasley is a top-rated attorney practicing in the Baltimore, Maryland area. Providing legal representation in Maryland for a variety of different issues, Benjamin Beasley was selected to Rising Stars for 2022 - 2025. He is admitted to practice before the courts in Maryland.

After completing undergraduate studies, Benjamin Beasley attended law school. Benjamin Beasley was enrolled at University of Baltimore School of Law. He earned a juris doctor degree in 2014. Benjamin Beasley was admitted to the practice of law in 2015.

Attorneys like Benjamin Beasley are recognized by their peers for their outstanding work and commitment to the spirit of the legal profession. Their knowledge of the law, professional work ethic, and advocacy on behalf of their clients allow them to stand out among other attorneys in the field.

Benjamin Beasley represents clients with Civil Litigation: Defense issues.

Regan S. Leavitt:  Selected to Rising Stars: 2025

Regan Leavitt attended law school and graduated from University of Baltimore School of Law in 2022. Regan Leavitt began practicing law in 2022.

Regan Leavitt is an attorney at Rollins, Smalkin, Richards & Mackie, L.L.C., helping people with Insurance Coverage issues. Rollins, Smalkin, Richards & Mackie, L.L.C. has an office in Baltimore, Maryland, serving the local community. Regan Leavitt was selected to Rising Stars for 2025. Rising Stars is an exclusive list of top-rated attorneys in specific practice areas who were chosen after thorough evaluation of numerous criteria.

Please Congratulate Partner Paul Donoghue on His Retirement!

As we near the end of 2024, RSRM sends well wishes for a happy retirement to Partner Paul Donoghue.  Paul devoted 34 years of his life to the growth of our firm, and it’s fair to say that we wouldn’t be where we are without him.

For those who were lucky enough to work with him, you’ll recall how Paul was consistently the first person in the office every morning.  He often started his day sipping coffee and jamming to Motown hits as he worked his way through his files.  Paul spent most of his career handling workers’ compensation claims, which often meant that he spent most of his days reading large volumes of medical records.  For the average person, reviewing medical records may seem like a dry task.  Paul, however, never shied away from rolling up his sleeves.  In mentoring younger associates, he would often pass on the knowledge bestowed upon him by the partners before him, “Paul, there’s dirt in every file, and it’s your job to find it.”

He was meticulous in his work effort, intentional with his words, and creative in his problem solving.  While many attorneys are known for being well-organized, Paul was a true expert in the field.  He was never too busy to ensure that each paper was properly filed, and each folder was placed in his preferred order. It was truly a work of art to watch him maintain that level of organization through all the chaos that comes with running a litigation law firm.

 Above all, Paul will be remembered for the way he cared for and treated others.  When it came to resolving disputes with opposing counsel, Paul attacked the issues head on by always picking up the phone and talking the issues through.  Inside the office, Paul showed a true curiosity into the lives of his colleagues and staff.  He was the type of individual who remembered the small things about your life and made sure to reach out to you if you were going through a hard time.  No matter your experience or rank in the firm, Paul made sure that you had a voice and felt heard about any issue that may be bothering you.  There’s not much more that you could ask for from a mentor.

 As Paul’s time with RSRM comes to an end, we are truly grateful for all that he’s poured into this firm over the years.  We hope that this next chapter of his life is filled with lots of traveling and family time, for the hardest working attorney deserves the most relaxing retirement.  You will be missed, Paul.

Congratulations to Partner, Ashley Bond, on recent win in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City!

Partner Ashley Bond recently represented an individual in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City who was accused of negligence for failing to stop for a red light and causing a five-car pileup.  Mrs. Bond’s client was sued by two plaintiffs who claimed that they were injured in the motor vehicle accident. Mrs. Bond’s client admitted that he caused the motor vehicle accident, therefore the only issue for the jury to decide at trial was what money, if any, plaintiffs should be awarded for their injuries.  Throughout trial, Mrs. Bond engaged in vigorous cross-examinations of both plaintiffs and their doctors, pointing out various inconsistencies in their testimony and highlighting plaintiffs’ pre-existing medical conditions.  Mrs. Bond also produced surveillance footage of one of the plaintiffs engaging in activities that the plaintiff previously claimed she could not do.  At the conclusion of trial, plaintiffs collectively asked the jury to award them close to $700,000 for medical bills, lost wages, and noneconomic damages.  Instead, the jury found that the first plaintiff was not injured in the motor vehicle accident and therefore awarded him $0.  As for the second plaintiff, the jury declined to award her any money for lost wages, but did award her medical bills and just $10,000 in noneconomic damages. This award for the second Plaintiff was over $500,000 less than what she requested at trial.  

Congratulations to Partner Ashley Bond on her success at trial!