F&P Employee Spotlight on Counsel Andrew P. Hanlin

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What lesson have you learned in the past year?
Whatever situation you find yourself in, always ask: What is the next good thing I can do?

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t rely on teachers, friends, family, or anyone else to tell you what you need to know. Go out and find it for yourself.

What do you like to do outside of the office?
I like to visit all the parks in the Richmond area and walk and observe all the plants and wildlife.

What was your first job?
I dressed up as Bunky the Bear Mascot for Funland in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

What is your practice area, and how did you choose it?
Insurance Defense. I started off working for a major car insurance company in-house, loved it, and have been doing it ever since. In my opinion, we really are the good guys.

What is your favorite thing about working with your clients?
Guiding them through what can be a scary process with kindness.

If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be?
Living or dead? In either case, it would have to be a philosopher I admire, like Jürgen Habermas (living) or David Hume (dead).

What’s your proudest accomplishment?
Raising my son, August Azadi Hanlin, age 5.

F&P Employee Spotlight on Principal Michael T. Bennett

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What is your favorite restaurant/show/event in Baltimore?
If there’s an event in Baltimore that is better than catching an O’s game with a beer in hand, I have not found it. Camden Yards is an absolute gem and still one of the best ballparks in the league.

Do you have a favorite quote?
“Passion is what makes life interesting, what ignites our soul, drives our curiosity, fuels our love and carries our friendships, stimulates our intellect, and pushes our limits. In my life I want to create passion in my own life and with those I care for, I want to feel, experience, and live every emotion.” – Pat Tillman

What do you like to do outside of the office?
My wife and I are both really active and love taking our two kids to explore nature, with Harpers Ferry being one of our favorite spots to hike. We’re not far from Patapsco State Park, and I really love mountain biking, kayaking, and fishing there. Nothing beats a game of football/wiffle ball in the neighborhood with the kids too.

Have you recently read any good books or seen any good movies you would recommend?
“The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien and “11/22/63” by Stephen King are some of my favorite novels. “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw and “The Autobiography of Malcom X” both do a tremendous job at transporting you to a different time to view the world from another perspective.

What is your favorite food?
Mexican and it’s not even close. Tacos, burritos, empanadas, tamales, enchiladas, fajitas, chimichangas, etc. Just put some jalapenos on them, slide them my way, and watch them disappear.

What is your all-time favorite city or town, and why?
Knoxville, Tennessee, will always have a piece of my heart due to the family and memories I have there. Put me there on a Saturday during football season and I’m in heaven. Go Vols!

Do you have any bizarre talents?
I’m not sure if it qualifies as a talent, but it is bizarre. I was the mascot at my kids’ elementary school last year for their field day, and then got recruited by the principal at wife’s school to do the same. I ran the obstacle courses before dunking a basketball (ok, it was a 7’ rim), so I have to step up my game now. If I leave it up to my kids I’ll end up getting shot out of a cannon or jumping through a flaming hoop this year.

What are some of the biggest life lessons you have learned?
Treat everyone in the building with respect, whether it’s the CEO or the janitor. Embrace new experiences, and always maintain a sense of humor and gratitude.

F&P Principal Lynn Fitzpatrick Selected to Virginia Super Lawyers for 2025

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F&P Herndon Principal Lynn M. Fitzpatrick has been selected to 2025 Virginia Super Lawyers. This is the third consecutive year that Fitzpatrick has received this honor.

This distinction is awarded to select attorneys throughout each state based on peer recognition and professional achievement within legal practice. Fitzpatrick is being recognized for her accomplishments in Workers’ Compensation, Employer/Insurance, and Appellate law.

To learn more about Super Lawyers and its selection process, visit their website at: https://www.superlawyers.com/about/

F&P’s Stacy Rippetoe Among 2025 Leaders In Law Honorees

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The Daily Record named Franklin & Prokopik’s Stacy Rippetoe to its 2025 “Leaders in Law” listing in their Law Firm Support Staff category.

Stacy joined F&P in 2013 as an Administrative Assistant, becoming a vital member of our firm’s legal support team. Now a Resource Specialist, Stacy assists in several areas of the firm’s day-to-day operations, such as training new users, overseeing program onboarding, and collaborating with IT and HR on firm-wide initiatives.

Through Leaders in Law, The Daily Record, and the Maryland State Bar Association honors outstanding legal professionals across Maryland who are serving businesses, clients, and individuals and making communities stronger.

Awards are presented in the following categories: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Generation J.D., In-House Counsel, Justice Champion, Law Firm Support Staff, Leadership in Law, Legal Educator, Lifetime Achievement, and Paralegal.

Winners will be profiled in a special magazine that will be inserted into the April 8 issue of The Daily Record and will be available online at TheDailyRecord.com.

F&P Spotlight on Stephanie Harrison

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What do you like to do outside of the office?
Outside of the office, I enjoy cooking, attending baseball games, and spending quality time with my husband and dog. I also enjoy staying active in my professional community and am involved with the Maryland ALA.

What’s your favorite thing about F&P?
My favorite thing about F&P is my supportive team! I love working closely with a team that has supported my growth throughout my career.

What’s your favorite restaurant/show/event in Baltimore?
I love attending Orioles games with my husband and friends!

What’s your proudest accomplishment?
Growing from an HR Assistant to the Firm Administrator. I love having the opportunity to impact various areas of the firm positively.

If you had an eighth day every week, how would you spend it?
If I had an eighth day, I’d likely spend it relaxing, maybe cooking a nice meal, or catching up on a good series on Netflix.

F&P Spotlight on Principal James K. Hetzel

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What is your practice area, and how did you choose it?
I primarily work in transportation and logistics and it wasn’t a choice per se. When I started working at F&P, I was able to work on some matters in the field and was just drawn to it. I have been primarily working in that field since.

What do you like to do outside the office?
When I’m not working, I spend a lot of time coaching basketball and absolutely love it.

What is your favorite food?
Detroit Style Pizza

What’s the best news you ever received?
That I was going to be a father.

If you had an eighth day every week, how would you spend it?
I’d spend it doing some type of activity with my daughter and my wife.

F&P Recognized By U.S. News & World Report in the “Best Companies to Work For” Category

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Franklin & Prokopik is proud to be named as a Best Company to Work For among U.S. Law Firms by U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. News & World Report gathers its data from publicly available sources such as Leopard Solutions, Revelio Labs, and Glass Door. The information is categorized into six metrics that eligible firms are graded on.

  • Quality of pay and benefits.
  • Work/life balance and flexibility.
  • Job and company stability.
  • Physical and psychological comfort.
  • Belongingness and esteem.
  • Career opportunities and professional development.

At F&P, we strive to create a positive working environment for our employees by maintaining a flexible atmosphere and emphasizing a cooperative team approach to the representation of our clients. We believe this perspective fosters enthusiasm and exceptional professional commitment toward our goals of providing quality service, along with emphasizing work/life balance.

Since F&P’s inception 25 years ago, we have valued the importance of a diverse workforce and are committed to promoting diversity and opportunity in the legal field and our local community. Now a majority women-owned firm, our female representation highly exceeds the national average at equity and non-equity partner levels. As a testament to our efforts to close the legal gender gap, Law360’s annual Glass Ceiling Report has ranked F&P in the top 20 among mid-sized firms for several years straight.

F&P has also achieved Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Certification Plus 2023-2024 and is currently a participant for 2024-2025. The Mansfield Rule diversifies leadership in law firms by increasing the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers. “Plus” designations indicate a firm has not only taken steps to increase inclusivity but has also made measured progress in doing so.

D.C. Court of Appeals Affirms Summary of Judgment to One Parking in Slip and Fall Case

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A three-judge panel of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals affirmed the Superior Court of the District of Columbia’s grant of summary judgment to One Parking 555, LLC (“One Parking”). One Parking was sued by a patron who allegedly tripped and fell on a single step riser in a parking garage operated by One Parking. The patron contended that the single step was “improperly marked and inconspicuous,” but there were handrails on either side of the step, the vertical edge of the step was highlighted in yellow, and the top of the landing was painted a darker gray than the floor of the garage. After the completion of discovery, One Parking moved for summary judgment because the patron did not adduce any evidence that a hazardous condition caused the fall. The Superior Court granted the motion and entered judgment in favor of One Parking. The patron appealed the grant of summary judgment. The Court of Appeals reviewed the matter de novo and affirmed the grant of summary judgment. The Court of Appeals concluded that “no reasonable factfinder could conclude that One Parking had constructive notice of a hazard” because the patron was unable to prove that a hazard existed in the first place. The Court of Appeals reasoned that the evidence by the patron and her family merely indicated that the patron did not perceive the step while she was walking and that such evidence did not prove that the step was hazardous or that One Parking knew or should have known about the alleged hazard.

One Parking was represented by Ellen R. Stewart throughout the proceedings. The case is Catherine Leach v. One Parking 555, LLC, 319 A.3d 415 (2024).

2025 Attorney Promotions

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Franklin & Prokopik proudly announces that we have promoted one counsel to principal and three associates to counsel.  Our attorneys exemplify the dedication and hard work that allows F&P to stand out in the legal field, and each has demonstrated acumen in the courtroom along with their peers at F&P.

Join F&P in congratulating these attorneys and thanking them for their hard work!

Principal

James Hetzel concentrates his litigation practice in the area of liability defense with a focus on the transportation industry.  He has successfully represented both motor carriers and brokers in a variety of cargo loss scenarios in both state and federal court through all stages of the litigation process including taking and defending depositions, drafting and arguing motions, and taking matters through the conclusion of trial.  James also has experience representing transportation clients in catastrophic tort claims as well as independent contractors on employee status issues.

Counsel

Marni Davenport

Matthew LaFontaine

Theresa Teixeira 

 

 

Super Lawyers Selects 20 F&P Attorneys to 2025 Ratings

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Super Lawyers announced its annual Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists in Maryland. F&P is honored that 20 of our attorneys have received this honor for 2025 across our Baltimore and Easton offices.

Super Lawyers selects the top attorneys annually, state-by-state, using peer nominations and evaluations. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Super Lawyers 2025
Albert B. Randall, Jr.
Angela Garcia Kozlowski
John J. Handscomb
Laura S. McKenzie
Scott H. Phillips
Tamara B. Goorevitz
Jennifer F. Hare

Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2025
April M. Kerns
Ellen R. Stewart
Heather A. Rice
James K. Hetzel
Jessica B. Pupkin
Joshua T. Carback
Kara K. Parker
Marleigh A. Severe
Marni E. Davenport
Matthew E. LaFontaine
Patrick M. Wachter
Renee L. Bowen
Samantha L. Schilling

To learn more about Super Lawyers and its selection process, visit their website at: https://www.superlawyers.com/about/