Maryland Trial Lawyers & Litigation Attorneys

Smith, Gildea & Schmidt has long been recognized as a leading Maryland litigation law firm for complex and high-stakes disputes.  Our litigation team is widely recognized as one of Maryland’s premier trial practices. Our litigators bring together decades of experience drawn from the judiciary, national litigation firms, and federal and state government service. This breadth of perspective allows us to approach disputes strategically, creatively, and with a deep understanding of how cases are decided—both in and out of the courtroom.

We are meticulous in our preparation and deliberate in our advocacy. Every matter is approached as if it will proceed to trial, ensuring that our clients are positioned from the outset for the strongest possible outcome. At the same time, we remain attuned to each client’s unique objectives, tailoring our strategies to address complex legal issues efficiently and effectively.

Our attorneys represent clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts, before regulatory and administrative agencies, and in arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution forums. While based in Maryland, we regularly handle matters across the country.

Representative Litigation Matters

Our litigation attorneys handle a wide range of civil and criminal matters, including:

Stephen J. Nolan

Steve Nolan is an accomplished trial lawyer, who concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of business litigation, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death actions, and trusts and estates litigation in State and Federal Courts. In November 2018, he became Of counsel to SGS. For over 30 years, he has been recognized by The Bar…

Michael Paul Smith, litigation attorney at Smith Gildea & Schmidt

Michael Paul Smith

In 2010, Michael Paul Smith, along with 5 attorneys from his prior firm, left and merged their practices with Gildea & Schmidt, LLC. These combined firms formed what is known today as Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, LLC, a firm with a national practice with a close connection to the Baltimore Metropolitan region. Michael Paul is…

Carmelo D. Morabito, personal injury and medical malpractice attorney at Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, LLC

Carmelo D. Morabito

Carmelo D. Morabito’s exposure to the legal field started in 2005 when he joined a New York personal injury law firm while still in High School. He continued to grow with the firm and eventually began working as an associate upon being admitted to the New York State Bar. While in New York, he focused…

Rusty Arbaugh, litigation attorney at Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, LLC

Rusty Arbaugh

Rusty Arbaugh is an experienced trial lawyer and Member of the Maryland Bar since 1993.  Rusty concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of medical malpractice, product liability, toxic torts, wrongful death, pharmaceutical and medical device litigation.  Rusty has tried cases before judges and juries in both state and federal courts, and has taken thousands…

Eric R. Harlan, litigation attorney at Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, LLC

Eric R. Harlan

Eric R. Harlan joined Smith, Gildea & Schmidt in 2022 and comes to the firm with nearly 30 years of trial and appellate experience, having tried jury cases to verdict in state and federal courts, and argued appeals before the Fourth Circuit and the Appellate Court of Maryland.  As a trial lawyer Eric has achieved…