Congratulations to the five RSRM attorneys who were selected to Maryland's 2026 Super Lawyers!

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

 

Partner
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2017 – 2026

 

James R. Andersen will retire on December 31, 2025, after over three (3) decades of litigation experience. Jim earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Over his 30 years of practice, Jim earned a reputation for exceptional trial advocacy and strategic insight while handling a broad spectrum of civil litigation matters, including complex motor torts, insurance coverage disputes, premises liability, products liability, construction litigation, and medical malpractice.  His depth of legal knowledge and sound judgment has allowed him to successfully navigate high-stakes litigation and try more than 100 jury trials across Maryland, the United States District Court, and even a jury trial in Alameda County Superior Court, California.

We thank Jim for his dedication to the firm and congratulate him on nearly ten (10) years of being a Super Lawyer!

                                                                                                                                                           

Tara A. Barnes

 

Managing Partner
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2023 – 2026
Selected to Rising Stars: 2015 – 2018

Tara A. Barnes has been a Partner at RSRM since 2015 and was recently promoted to Managing Partner in July of 2025.  Tara has over 20 years of experience and tried over 100 trials at every court level. Formerly an Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, Tara is licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Tara’s practice includes complex civil litigation involving products liability, construction litigation, motor torts, and coverage disputes. In 2023, Governor Wes Moore appointed her as an Attorney Member of the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities. She is an Emeritus Chair of the MSBA Judicial Appointments Committee and a former President of the Alliance of Black Women Attorneys of Maryland. Tara earned her law degree from the University of Maryland and her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Morgan State University.

                                                                                                                                                           

Benjamin A. Beasley

 

Partner

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2026
Selected to Rising Stars: 2022 – 2025

 

Benjamin A. Beasley became a Partner at RSRM in 2022 and has litigated hundreds of cases across the state. His practice focuses on complex motor torts, premises liability, coverage disputes, and appellate advocacy. He also represents clients in administrative hearings before the Maryland Insurance Administration and/or Office of Administrative Hearings.

Ben has served as an Adjunct Professor and mock trial coach at the University of Baltimore School of Law. He is a frequent speaker on trial advocacy and judicial clerkships and was previously featured on the podcast Latte with a Lawyer. Ben earned his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he clerked for RSRM during his final year.

                                                                                                                                                           

Rising Stars

Ashley M. Bond

 

Partner
Selected to Rising Stars: 2021 – 2026

 

Ashley M. Bond joined RSRM in 2017 and was elevated to partner in 2024. She is a versatile and skilled litigator, currently the only attorney at the firm practicing in both general litigation defense and workers' compensation defense. Ashley has significant experience defending clients in motor tort, premises liability, and a broad range of civil litigation matters. In addition to her general litigation practice, Ashley also regularly appears before the Maryland and District of Columbia Workers' Compensation Commissions, handling all aspects of claims, from inception through resolution.

Ashley is known for her strong courtroom presence, thoughtful case strategy, and commitment to client advocacy. She is admitted to practice in Maryland, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The Appellate Court of Maryland recognized Ashley’s litigation talent by quoting her closing argument in an unreported opinion in 2018. A dedicated mentor and educator, she served as an Adjunct Professor and coach of the University of Baltimore School of Law's nationally recognized mock trial team, which won the 2021 Regional Championship and placed second at the 2022 Buffalo Niagara Trial Competition. She is a former co-chair of the MBSA Young Lawyer's Wellness Committee. Ashley earned her law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law and her B.A. from Towson University. 

                                                                                                                                                           

Regan S. Leavitt

 

Associate
Selected to Rising Stars: 2025-2026

Regan S. Leavitt joined RSRM in 2023 and quickly distinguished herself through her legal research and support on complex litigation. Her practice focuses on the defense of motor tort, premises liability, insurance coverage matters, and administrative hearings before the Maryland Insurance Administration and/or Office of Administrative Hearings. Regan is admitted to practice in Maryland, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

Regan earned her J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she served as a staff editor for the University of Baltimore Law Review. She previously clerked for the Honorable John J. Nagle III of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. A former varsity athlete, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, where she played on the university’s Division I Field Hockey Team, won three (3) Big Ten Championships and participated in the 2018 Final Four.