The firm has an established tradition of leadership in the field of family law. Bruce Kaufman, Tom Ries, and Susan Elgin, the three divorce lawyers who created the firm, were all Fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (“AAML”). During their professional careers, each of the founding members also served as Chair of the Maryland State Bar Association’s very active Family and Juvenile Law Section (www.msba.org). Bruce Kaufman was Chair of the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association (www.abanet.org) at the time of his death.

Tom Ries is a Past President of the Maryland Chapter of the AAML. He served on the National Board of Governors of the AAML from 2008 – 2010, and was Co-Chair of the AAML Institute for Family Law Associates training program from 2006 – 2018 (www.aaml.org). Beginning in 2008, Tom became a co-author of Fader’s Maryland Family Law (www.lexisnexis.com), the leading publication concerning family law issues in Maryland. He has been included in Best Lawyers in America (copyright by Woodward/White, Inc.) for both “Family Law” and “Family Law Mediation” (www.bestlawyers.com). He has written and lectured on many different family law topics at the national, state and local levels. Tom was honored in 2020 with the Maryland State Bar Association Family & Juvenile Law Section prestigious Beverly Ann Groner Award that is given annually in recognition of a lawyer’s dedication to the practice of family law and who has exemplified the highest professional standards during a distinguished career.

Susan Elgin is also Past President of the Maryland Chapter of the AAML. She succeeded Tom Ries as a member of the National Board of Governors of the AAML. Susan co-authored the Maryland Chapter’s amicus brief to the Court of Appeals of Maryland regarding the constitutionality of Maryland’s statute which prohibited same-sex marriage. She has served as a Board Member of the Women’s Law Center of Maryland since 1991, and was President from 1997-1999 (www.wlcmd.org). She was a recipient of The Maryland Daily Record Leadership in Law Award, and has been included in Maryland’s Top 100 Women and the Circle of Excellence by Warfield’s Business Record. Susan received the 2005 Machen Award from the Maryland Legal Services Corporation for extraordinary service by a member of the private bar to the delivery of legal services to the poor and reform of the legal system. She is a Past Chair of the Maryland Commission for Women. Susan has also has been included in Best Lawyers in America (copyright by Woodward/White, Inc.) for “Family Law” (www.bestlawyers.com).