Nottingham, MD

Karmen M. Slezak

Karmen M. Slezak is a Partner at the firm. She received her B.A. in International Relations from Scripps College in 1986 and her Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1991. She has significant trial experience in personal injury litigation and practices in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Ms. Slezak has been recognized by Lawyers of Distinction for Excellence in Personal Injury Law, inducted into the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and the National Trial Lawyers Motor Vehicle Top 25. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, Baltimore County Bar Association, and the Maryland Association for Justice (MAJ). She concentrates in civil and automobile tort litigation, and also handles criminal/traffic matters, landlord/tenant matters, and bankruptcy cases.

Ronald W. Parker

Ronald W. Parker is a Founding Partner at Parker, Pallett, Slezak & Russell, LLC. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Baltimore. He is a member of the Maryland and National American Trial Lawyers Association, Maryland State, Baltimore County, and Harford County Bar Associations. He is admitted to the Maryland Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court, and has been named a National Top Lawyer of America. His primary areas of concentration include personal injury and workers’ compensation law, as well as real estate law, construction law, medical malpractice law, DWI/DUI and traffic violations defense, criminal defense, estate and trust law, wills, and landlord/tenant issues.

Donald E. Pallett

Donald E. Pallett is Of Counsel to the firm. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Colorado in 1971 and his Juris Doctor Degree from George Mason University in 1982, where he was a member of the Law Review. He is a Member of the Maryland and National American Trial Lawyers Association, and the Maryland State Bar Association. He is admitted to the United States Supreme Court and frequently appears in appellate litigation in Maryland courts. His primary areas of concentration include personal injury, automobile accident and slip-and-fall litigation; family law matters; real estate law, trusts, estates, criminal law, and traffic matters. He is fluent in American Sign Language.

Perry W. Lericos

Perry W. Lericos is an accomplished trial attorney with a strong background in personal injury, contractual law, and business litigation. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Towson University in 1979 and his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1981. He is licensed to practice in Maryland and admitted before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and the Court of Appeals of Maryland. He is a former Assistant State’s Attorney for Baltimore City. Mr. Lericos is rated as “Distinguished” with a “Very High Rating” in both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards by Martindale-Hubbell®, and has been rated as a Top Lawyer by Super Lawyers in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 and as one of America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators.

Hon. G. Darrell Russell, Jr.

Hon. G. Darrell Russell, Jr. became a Partner at the firm in January 2012, following his retirement from the District Court of Maryland after twenty-one years of service as a judge. He is a graduate of Loyola High School, Loyola College, and the University of Baltimore School of Law, and holds a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Towson University. Prior to his judicial appointment, he served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland, an Adjunct Faculty Member at Loyola College and Towson State University, and an Assistant Public Defender for Baltimore County. He handles most of the firm’s Criminal and Traffic Defense, as well as some Personal Injury work.

Tara L. Westra

Tara L. Westra is a Partner at the firm and head of its Workers’ Compensation department. She received her Juris Doctor Degree cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2001. Ms. Westra is admitted to practice at all levels of Maryland courts and the United States District Court. She has extensive trial experience, especially in personal injury law. She belongs to the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, the Maryland Association for Justice, and is a Judicial Panel Attorney for the Baltimore County Bar Association. She is also a certified mediator for all Maryland courts. She has been named as one of the 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys and a Top Attorney in Personal Injury by America’s Best Advocates. She concentrates in Bankruptcy, Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, and Domestic Law.

Robert M. Westra

Robert M. Westra is an Associate Attorney. He received his Juris Doctor Degree cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law and graduated from Towson University. He handles cases in a wide range of legal areas, including personal injury, business formations & transfers, commercial law, estate planning & administration, and bankruptcy law. He is fluent in Mandarin and written Chinese.