Navigating Change

NAVIGATING

CHANGE Maryland Attorneys on Adapting to a Shifting Legal Landscape

BY CHRISTINE SORGE, LILLIAN HUMMEL, JEREMY SCHOLTES, REBECCA SCHISLER-ADAMS, AND RYAN P. SMITH

The legal profession, while rooted in tradition and adherence to precedent, is nevertheless subject to the winds of change. From technological advancements to evolving client expectations and global events, Maryland attorneys are constantly adapting to shifting legal landscapes. MSBA recently interviewed five Maryland attorneys who offered insights into their strategies for navigating the ever-changing legal environment.

Meet the Attorneys CHRISTINE SORGE, Managing Shareholder at Selzer Gurvitch Rabin Wertheimer & Polott, PC, specializes in Estate Planning and Trust & Estate Administration. With over 25 years of experience, she focuses on structuring sophisticated estate plans that ensure an orderly transfer of assets, minimize taxes, and protect family wealth from potential creditors.

LILLIAN HUMMEL, Principal at Elville & Associates, focuses her practice on elder law, estate planning, estate and trust administration, and special needs planning. Hummel advises individuals and families on Medicaid eligibility and other programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities, long-term care navigation, and the establishment and administration of special needs trusts. She also represents clients in guardianship matters.

JEREMY SCHOLTES, Principal at Miles & Stockbridge, serves as outside general counsel for numerous companies, primarily within the construction, IT, and manufacturing sectors, many of which are also government contractors.

His extensive expertise in government contracting includes assisting federal and state contractors with a variety of transactional and dispute matters.

REBECCA SCHISLER-ADAMS, a litigation attorney at McKenna Russo Livingston Burkett Burgy, focuses on a broad range of complex civil litigation. Her practice areas include real estate, business and corporate disputes, insurance defense, and estate and trust matters. Additionally, she maintains a robust guardianship practice, advocating for alleged disabled individuals in Maryland, often serving as a court-appointed attorney while also representing petitioners.

RYAN P. SMITH, Ryan P. Smith is the founding member of Ryan P. Smith Law, PLC. In his practice, he offer solutions to broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and their associates to help them meet their regulatory obligations.

This includes advising them on matters related to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and SEC and FINRA rules; counseling them during regulatory inquiries and arbitration proceedings; and serving as Chief Compliance Officer.

NAVIGATING

CHANGE Maryland Attorneys on Adapting to a Shifting Legal Landscape

BY CHRISTINE SORGE, LILLIAN HUMMEL, JEREMY SCHOLTES, REBECCA SCHISLER-ADAMS, AND RYAN P. SMITH

The legal profession, while rooted in tradition and adherence to precedent, is nevertheless subject to the winds of change. From technological advancements to evolving client expectations and global events, Maryland attorneys are constantly adapting to shifting legal landscapes. MSBA recently interviewed five Maryland attorneys who offered insights into their strategies for navigating the ever-changing legal environment.

Meet the Attorneys CHRISTINE SORGE, Managing Shareholder at Selzer Gurvitch Rabin Wertheimer & Polott, PC, specializes in Estate Planning and Trust & Estate Administration. With over 25 years of experience, she focuses on structuring sophisticated estate plans that ensure an orderly transfer of assets, minimize taxes, and protect family wealth from potential creditors.

LILLIAN HUMMEL, Principal at Elville & Associates, focuses her practice on elder law, estate planning, estate and trust administration, and special needs planning. Hummel advises individuals and families on Medicaid eligibility and other programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities, long-term care navigation, and the establishment and administration of special needs trusts. She also represents clients in guardianship matters.

JEREMY SCHOLTES, Principal at Miles & Stockbridge, serves as outside general counsel for numerous companies, primarily within the construction, IT, and manufacturing sectors, many of which are also government contractors.

His extensive expertise in government contracting includes assisting federal and state contractors with a variety of transactional and dispute matters.

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REBECCA SCHISLER-ADAMS, a litigation attorney at McKenna Russo Livingston Burkett Burgy, focuses on a broad range of complex civil litigation. Her practice areas include real estate, business and corporate disputes, insurance defense, and estate and trust matters. Additionally, she maintains a robust guardianship practice, advocating for alleged disabled individuals in Maryland, often serving as a court-appointed attorney while also representing petitioners.

RYAN P. SMITH, Ryan P. Smith is the founding member of Ryan P. Smith Law, PLC. In his practice, he offer solutions to broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, and their associates to help them meet their regulatory obligations.

This includes advising them on matters related to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and SEC and FINRA rules; counseling them during regulatory inquiries and arbitration proceedings; and serving as Chief Compliance Officer.

Changes in Practice For some, 2025 has brought significant transformations, driven by both personal career decisions and external forces like shifts in law and technology.

Schisler-Adams embarked on a new phase of her career by joining five colleagues to start a new firm in March 2025, McKenna Russo, with a goal "to serve clients in ways that are tailored to individual needs.” Their practice focuses on civil litigation, trusts and estates, business law, real estate, and guardianships. Schisler-Adams acknowledged that clients often come to them during the most stressful times of their lives, and shared, “[t]o ease that stress, we embrace technology to offer multiple methods of client communication, and we effectively utilize a team approach with our support staff so that if an attorney isn't available, someone is always present to address any client concerns.”

In 2025, I've integrated AI into my practice to assist with initial drafting and research.

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Hummel’s practice evolved when she embraced AI: "In 2025, I've integrated AI into my practice to assist with initial drafting and research. I'm using AI to generate drafts of both basic messages and challenging written content; it's much faster to edit written work than to start with a blank sheet of paper. For example, when I need to produce a type of work product that I haven't done before, with sufficient instruction, the majority of the time, AI can provide a solid first draft that I refine and flesh out. Additionally, I use AI for background research and citation gathering, saving time on primary source searches (with the caveat: always confirm what AI spits out!). In short, AI has been invaluable in reducing my mental load on drafting and research tasks."

For Sorge, changes in the law prompted a change in practice. He shared, "Our estate planning practice has evolved significantly in 2025. The anticipated 2026 tax law changes have spurred remarkable client interest this year, with many seeking to lock in current favorable exemptions. The new federal estate tax threshold adjustments have prompted more comprehensive wealth transfer strategies. We've incorporated digital asset planning as a standard component in all estate plans.”

Sorge noted that they also shifted back to in-person consultations, with clients requesting face-to-face meetings more frequently than in previous years. Consequently, their attorneys spend more time in the office, accommodating this preference for traditional engagement.

Changes in Client Service Adaptability is key to client satisfaction. Smith emphasized, "I learned (and continued to learn) the business of law. And quickly."

Hummel highlighted the need for tailored communication, stating, "In an age of information overload and client 'self-help' through online searches, it's essential to meet each client where they are. I've adapted my approach to communication, specifically tailoring it to what works best for each client, rather than adhering to a rigid structure for estate planning, Medicaid applications, or disability consultations. My firm now offers content across various educational mediums, traditional seminars, social media, short videos, consultations, and more."

Schisler-Adams focuses on proactive communication, providing "regular weekly or bi-weekly updates" to anticipate questions, noting that "In a fast-moving world with a slow-moving legal system, clients often want answers and results quicker than we can make them happen. By providing clients with regular weekly or bi-weekly updates, we can anticipate questions from clients before they arise. Often, the update is simply, 'there is no update,' but everyone benefits when the strategy is clear and there's no question about whether a client's case is a priority." Her firm also embraces technology for diverse communication methods and utilizes a team approach with support staff to ensure client concerns are always addressed.

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Guidance for Legal Professionals When asked what advice they would give others in their field, Smith offered, "Stay intellectually curious. (Even Neil Peart of Rush took drumming lessons well into his career.)"

Scholtes advised, "Set short, mid, and long-term goals, identify the actions to implement in support of the goals, and routinely assess the effectiveness of those actions to adjust for changing conditions or missed goals. Enduring client relationships require competent legal counsel, consistent communication, and expectation management. Focus on the long game for business development by cultivating meaningful referral relationships. Build a resilient team of ethical, trustworthy, curious, and diligent professionals. Attend to the health of your own well-being, your family, and your team. Listen more and talk less."

Hummel echoed this strategic thinking, advising, "My advice is to filter the advice and updates you receive through the lens of your professional goals. Not every technological advancement will suit your practice. Change requires significant time, energy, and resources, so approach it strategically.

Develop a project plan, and find a balance between adapting when necessary and avoiding knee-jerk reactions to every piece of new information about practice management.

Staying focused on your long-term vision will help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of legal practice."

Schisler-Adams offered a foundational piece of advice: "Never forget to be kind and approach all encounters with empathy— this is true when engaging with clients and opposing counsel alike. For many clients, working with attorneys is uncharted territory. I try to start new client consults by acknowledging that I know the potential new client is not calling us because they want to be, and that I hope my services can ease some inevitable anxiety. Making the client feel heard can go a long way."

Evolving Client Profiles The nature of client relationships is also shifting. Sorge observed that while they maintain their "core clientele of established professionals and retirees," they've seen "growth among millennials seeking early planning." She added, "Business owners, real estate investors, and entrepreneurs represent an increasing segment, particularly those concerned with succession planning amid economic shifts. Blended families with complex inheritance considerations have become more common. Perhaps most gratifying is having the honor to work with several generations of families—grandparents, parents, and adult children—allowing us to develop comprehensive strategies that reflect each family's evolving dynamics and values across time."

My advice is to filter the advice and updates you receive through the lens of your professional goals.

Not every technological advancement will suit your practice.

Smith stays relevant by being able to translate dense regulatory requirements into clear action items."

Sorge shared that their firm "prioritizes [s] responsiveness to client needs and maintains [s] a full team available to assist on all types of legal issues. Our strength lies in making meaning of complex legal concepts, translating technical jargon into practical implications for our clients' lives. We present regularly to colleagues and community groups, which requires thorough preparation and deepens our understanding of complex topics. We've also cultivated relationships with financial advisors, accountants, and insurance specialists who offer complementary expertise, broadening our understanding of the multidisciplinary aspects of estate planning."

Continuous Learning and Navigating New Trends and Challenges Professional Development The legal field is constantly facing new trends and challenges.

Scholtes highlighted that "the new Administration's flurry of Executive Orders and adjustments to agency priorities have resulted in a significant increase in government contract stop work orders and terminations for convenience. The downstream impacts include: loss of revenue and budget adjustments; termination of employees, leases, and subcontracts; negotiation of settlement proposals; analysis of covenants under lender documents; and myriad other considerations."

Smith's challenge is "helping my clients navigate an aggressive and evolving regulatory agenda."

For Sorge, "Digital assets continue to pose unique challenges for preservation and transfer. The multigenerational household resurgence has required more sophisticated family trust structures. The uncertainty regarding estate tax laws, particularly the potential 2026 sunset of current exemption levels, has created planning urgency among clients."

Strategies for Staying Relevant Staying relevant in a constantly evolving profession requires proactive engagement and continuous learning.

Scholtes emphasized that it is "imperative to stay current regarding rapidly changing statutes, regulations, and case law," dedicating time on a daily basis to review summaries of changes in government contracts, read secondary sources, and drill down on the most relevant primary authorities for my practice. I also set monthly goals to speak on panels or present updates, author or contribute to commentary on changes, circulate at conferences and trade shows, and engage with clients outside of billable projects. Non-billable investment is essential for continuous client development and maintenance, as well as cultivation of referral sources."

Hummel stays current through a "combination of traditional and modern approaches. I attend CLEs and conferences to track emerging trends and best practices. Online communities—particularly lawyer groups on platforms like Facebook— offer real-time insights into new technologies, evolving client needs, and developments in law practice management. These informal exchanges often highlight issues that aren't yet on the radar of formal programming. I also make it a point to connect regularly with colleagues and peers, asking what's new in their practices. These conversations help me stay informed and responsive in an ever-changing legal landscape."

Ryan Smith consumes "as much content as I can from the regulators in my space - the SEC and FINRA." Sorge noted that their attorneys "subscribe to specialized legal publications and participate in advanced continuing education programs beyond minimum requirements. We hold regular firm meetings with dedicated time for discussing recent case law and legislative developments. Beyond consuming information, we actively contribute by presenting to colleagues and community groups. This teaching role requires deeper engagement with emerging topics and helps solidify our understanding. Our network of allied professionals in finance, tax, and insurance provides valuable cross-disciplinary insights that inform our evolving practice approach."

Looking Ahead Change is constant, and proactive engagement is essential for continued success. By embracing technology, prioritizing client communication, staying informed, focusing on fundamentals, and cultivating adaptability, attorneys can thrive in an ever-evolving environment.

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