Crisfield, MD

James V. Anthenelli, one of the founders of Anthenelli, Phoebus & Hickman, LLC, died on May 26, 2015. He leaves a legacy of a career in litigation, focusing on criminal defense, that spanned 38 years and a dedication to serving his community, both professionally and through his work on local nonprofit boards. He began his career more than 35 years ago as a prosecutor in Salisbury, Maryland and has maintained an office in Salisbury since 1977. After entering private practice, Attorney Anthenelli continued to handle all types of criminal cases and further enhanced his litigation and trial skills by representing clients in personal injury, commercial and business litigation. Attorney Anthenelli quickly gained a reputation as being one of the area's most accomplished litigators recognized for his passion in representing clients and his courtroom skills. For the remainder of his career, Attorney Anthenelli specialized exclusively in the defense of criminal and serious motor vehicle cases.

Attorney Kristy M. Hickman started her legal career more than 20 years ago, beginning first as a law clerk to Judge Daniel M. Long, of the Circuit Court for Somerset County and then spending more than 15 years as a prosecutor. In 1996, she began as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Somerset County. In 2005, she was appointed interim State’s Attorney, succeeding Logan C. Widdowson. In 2006, she was elected State’s Attorney for Somerset County. As a prosecutor, she tried hundreds of felony cases and won murder convictions in all 16 murder trials she prosecuted. In addition to serving as the highest elected law enforcement officer in Somerset County, Hickman has also served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Dorchester County, Maryland. She entered private practice in 2014. Attorney Hickman concentrates her practice in the areas of family law and personal injury.

For more than 20 years, John K. Phoebus has zealously fought for his clients in the circuit courts and district courts of Somerset County, Wicomico County, and Worcester County. Attorney Phoebus has been in private practice and focused solely on litigation for his entire career, seeking to provide his clients with the highest level of representation. He has a long track record of success and a reputation for winning throughout the Eastern Shore. He was the recipient of the 2014 Pro Bono Award, presented by the Maryland State Bar Association in recognition of his efforts in forming and chairing the Somerset County Long Term Recovery Committee which organized the nonprofit recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy.