With the recent additions of attorney Christopher Mincher, former chief legal counsel to Governor Larry Hogan, and family law attorney Nathan Volke, expanding to a brick-and-mortar presence in the state capital was a natural next step. 

The firm already maintains a substantial presence in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County and is proud to deepen its commitment to the region. This new Annapolis office complements Silverman Thompson’s existing locations in Baltimore, Towson, and Washington, D.C. 

“Opening our doors in Annapolis allows us to better serve our clients where they live and work,” said Managing Partner Steven D. Silverman. “We are dedicated to making our services as accessible and responsive as possible for the communities we proudly represent.” 

Chris Mincher Anchors New Office

Partner Christopher Mincher is now based in our Annapolis office. A trusted advisor with deep roots in the city, Chris served as chief legal counsel to Governor Larry Hogan and has spent his career advising government officials and private clients on matters involving regulatory compliance, administrative law, and litigation. A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and an active member of the local community, Chris brings unmatched insight and connections within Maryland’s legal and governmental landscape. 

“Annapolis is not just my hometown – it’s an obvious place to expand Silverman Thompson’s strong ties to Maryland politics, deep experience with government issues, and growing presence in the Anne Arundel courthouse and legal scene,” said Chris Mincher. 

 “The office will be a hub for serving clients with State matters and statewide concerns, as well as local clients looking for top-notch, high-level representation conveniently located right here where they are.” 

Nathan Volke Expands Regional Reach

Counsel Nathan Volke will also work from the Annapolis office as needed to serve his Anne Arundel County clients. In addition to his thriving law practice, Nathan is a dedicated public servant and a current member of the Anne Arundel County Council. He is well known for his work in local government, community engagement, and his experience navigating complex family law matters in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. His presence further strengthens the firm’s ties to the region. 

“Having spent most of my career in Annapolis, both as an attorney and an elected official, I am thrilled to be a part of the Silverman Thompson team’s growth into our State’s Capital,” said Nathan Volke.  

Visit Silverman Thompson in Annapolis

We hope this new office provides our clients with peace of mind and ease of access, offering an alternative to traveling downtown. All our attorneys are available to meet with clients in this welcoming space, conveniently located in the heart of Annapolis. 

You can find us at our other locations here. 

For more information, please contact us. 

To reach Chris Mincher directly regarding services in the Annapolis area, please visit his profile. 

Effective January 1, 2025, the following attorneys have been named partners of the firm: 

• Kerri Smith, Real Estate – Ms. Smith has made a significant impact in the Maryland real estate sector and in landlord-tenant law, specializing in commercial and residential real estate. She has been with Silverman Thompson for her entire legal career, gaining vast recognition for her skills as a litigator and involvement in the Baltimore legal community.  

• Ethan Nochumowitz, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury – Mr. Nochumowitz is a dedicated advocate for individuals and families affected by medical negligence and personal injury. Regularly obtaining significant verdicts and settlements for his clients, he has a reputation for having an unparalleled attention to detail and commanding knowledge of the law. 

• Patrick Seidel, Criminal Defense – Mr. Seidel is a skilled litigator and former prosecutor with extensive experience in criminal defense. He has successfully represented clients in high-stakes cases, earning a reputation for his strategic thinking and unwavering commitment to his clients.  

Managing Partner Steven D. Silverman announced the firm’s new partners at the annual Silverman Thompson holiday party in December, “these three lawyers are top tier in their respective fields and represent the future of the firm.”  

Along with Silverman Thompson’s three new partners, Ilona Shparaga, from the business litigation department, has been promoted from associate to counsel. Bill Sinclair, who leads the department, praised Ms. Shparaga’s development and contributions: 

“Ilona has done what you hope for every associate when they first join a firm: develop to a point where she thoughtfully manages cases with little if any need for oversight.” 

These promotions highlight the firm’s commitment to recognizing the hard work and talent of our attorneys. Silverman Thompson is thrilled to celebrate the achievements of Kerri, Ethan, Patrick, and Ilona, who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and excellence in their practice areas. 

Each year, Silverman Thompson honors one first-year student at UB Law with the goal of cultivating local talent from the Baltimore community and retaining top talent at the Firm. At the end of their first year, Fellows are awarded a two-year scholarship, a one-year fellowship stipend, and a position in the Firm’s summer associate and law clerk programs. 

“We are thrilled to honor Will Cellitto with the UB Law Fellowship award. His dedication and exceptional academic performance, achieving straight As while working to put himself through college, exemplify his remarkable work ethic and commitment to excellence,” says program founder and firm Managing Partner Steve Silverman.  

“Will’s drive and perseverance make him an invaluable asset to our firm, and we have no doubt he will have a bright and impactful future in the field of law.” 

Due to Will’s excellent grades and eagerness to explore all legal practice areas, UB Law counseling suggested he research Silverman Thompson’s fellowship program. They called the Firm one of the “best environments [they had] seen” because of its collaborative approach and prestigious reputation.   

Joining Silverman Thompson has allowed Will the opportunity to identify “what skills [he needs] to develop and what [his] weaknesses are.” He sees Silverman Thompson as a place where, as a summer associate, “you cover a lot of different practice areas where if I was somewhere else, I’d kind of be stuck researching like one subject for the entire summer.” 

Beyond the mentorship and legal development, the UB Law fellowship has granted Will the opportunity to focus on law school, extracurriculars, and the University of Baltimore Law Review, where he is a staff editor. “It’s an investment in myself so I can do better during the year and succeed after, as well,” he says.  

Past University of Baltimore School of Law Fellowship Recipients 

“I look back at being awarded the 1L Fellowship as one of the defining moments of my life and legal career. Having the opportunity to work with many different attorneys and learn about a wide variety of practice areas, I was given a chance to prove myself as an aspiring attorney.

Many of the attorneys I worked with during the fellowship continued to act as mentors as I completed law school and worked as a judicial law clerk following graduation. Now that I have returned to Silverman Thompson as an attorney, I am honored to call them my coworkers today.” –Joseph Stephan, 2018 University of Baltimore School of Law Fellow, Silverman Thompson family law associate

2023 – Bella Winslow

“I came to Maryland from Texas for law school not knowing anyone for a thousand miles. This fellowship has given me not only the assurance that I can make it on my own but a network of professional support and people I can trust.”

• Ms. Winslow currently works as a clerk at the Firm and will continue to work as a summer associate and law clerk through her graduation

2022 – Keira Sherper  

• Ms. Sherper stayed at Silverman Thompson as a law clerk until she graduated from the University of Baltimore Law, where she then began a federal clerkship  

2021 – Jeffrey Neuman  

• Mr. Neuman is currently an associate at DLA Piper  

2020 – Joel Jordan  

• After graduation, Mr. Jordan worked as a federal clerk and is now an associate at Nelson Mullins  

2019 – Christian Coward  

• Mr. Coward is now an associate at Venable, LLP 

Learn more about the University of Baltimore School of Law Fellowship on our Careers page. 

If you are a current law student interested in our summer associate or year-round clerk program, we accept applications on a rolling basis and typically start hiring by Thanksgiving for the following year. Please reach out to Senior Partner Andrew Slutkin for all inquiries and send a CV and transcript to firm@silvermanthompson.com at your earliest convenience.