Ross W. Albers

Ross W. Albers is the firm’s founder and CEO.

Ross’s legal work first started when he accepted a position as an insurance adjuster for Travelers Insurance. He was a member of the Special Liability Group, focusing on cases involving asbestos, lead paint, trucking accidents, and more.

After law school and his admission to the bar in the State of Maryland and the United States District Court of Maryland, Ross began his legal career as a prosecutor in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office. There he prosecuted criminal, DUI, juvenile, and traffic cases in the circuit and district courts of Maryland.

Ross currently resides in Carroll County, Maryland, with his wife, Emily, and their three daughters: Tilly, Charlie, and Gracie. He received his degree in Business Management from Bucknell University and his JD from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he was a concentration in criminal practice and earned an editorial position on Law Review.

Joseph W. Tychostup

Joseph Tychostup is a creative trial attorney and litigator focusing on family law, civil litigation, and criminal defense. He applies his extensive Maryland courtroom experience to domestic cases, such as divorce and child custody, or criminal cases, including DUI, to ensure the best outcomes for his clients.

After law school, Joseph clerked for the Honorable Philip S. Jackson in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Joseph assisted at trial for serious felonies, including 1st-degree murder and complex narcotics and firearms cases. He was admitted to the S. District Court of Maryland and the Court of Appeals of Maryland.

Prior to founding Decker, Tychostup & Friedman, LLC, Joseph worked for a small, fast-paced litigation firm concentrating on domestic matters like divorce and child custody agreements.

Joseph’s tireless efforts for his clients and diverse legal background led to his being named Maryland Super Lawyer—Rising Star for 2018 and 2019. 

Joseph is also a member of the: 

• Maryland State Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Baltimore County Bar Association

Joseph received his degree from The College at Brockport and JD from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Lauren Macari

Lauren Macari’s area of practice is family law. Since 2011, she has been using her wide-ranging legal skills to deal with family law cases, whether divorce, child custody, or protective disorders, to ensure that her clients get the outcomes they deserve. 

Lauren started her legal career managing her own firm in Baltimore County, where she was admitted to the bar as well as the Maryland Bar. She gained invaluable experience in working through complex family law cases. 

She offers her clients aggressive litigation inside the courtroom while also providing the support and compassion they need outside of the courtroom.

Lauren is also a member of the following:

• Maryland Bar Association
• Baltimore Bar Association
• Civil Justice, Inc. (Inactive)
• Women’s Law Center’s Judicare Program (Inactive)
• Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service (Inactive)

Lauren currently lives in Carroll County with her husband and her dogs. She received her degree from DeSales University and JD from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Myles F. Friedman

Myles Friedman is a seasoned litigator, focusing on criminal defense, family law, personal injury, and estate administration. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1963 and later to the Court of Appeals of Maryland and the United States District Court. His love of the courtroom has taken him from the Eastern Shore to Western Maryland to represent his clients.

Early in his career, Myles became an active member of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Baltimore County Bar Association. In 1988, he was elected president of the Baltimore County Bar Association, and in 1993 he was inducted as a Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation. 

Myles received the first J. Earle. Plumhoff Award for Professionalism, and in 2016 on Law Day, he received the Judith P. Ritchey Achievement Award. 

He is also a member of the following:

• Maryland State Bar Association
• Baltimore County Bar Association

Myles was born and raised in Baltimore. He was educated in the public school system, graduating from City in 1956. He then received his degree from the University of Maryland College Park and JD from the University of Maryland School of Law.

Robert Fiore

Robert Fiore is Of Counsel to the firm for its Maryland personal injury cases. He has 36 years of experience handling Maryland state and federal court cases, jury trials, hearings, and negotiations. He is both an advocate for people who are injured from the negligence of others and a former defense counsel for major insurance companies. 

Robert provides his clients with compassionate and trustworthy counsel and is often commended for his accessibility, his diligence, and his proficiency in obtaining trial and settlement results that exceed his client’s expectations.

Thomson Reuters/Baltimore Magazine named him a Maryland Super Lawyer in the area of Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law for the past 12 years. He also carries a rating of 10 (highest available) with Avvo, a national directory ranking more than 90% of licensed attorneys in the United States.

Robert received his degree with honors from Providence College and his JD from The Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. He is certified by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) to teach advocacy skills. He completed NITA’s intensive professional training program at Harvard Law School in 1993.

James M. McGuinn

James McGuin has nearly twenty years of litigation experience for bench and jury trials. James brings to our team his extensive experience and passion for giving each and every client a vigorous defense. He also adds his background as a judicial law clerk and working himself as a Rule 16 student attorney.

Before joining our team, James was a public defender for Harford County. In this role, he prepared felony and misdemeanor cases for litigation. His experience extends to researching and drafting motions and proposed orders, managing the docket, and mentoring Rule 16 law students. 

James was admitted to the bar in the State of Maryland in December 2002.

James currently lives in Baltimore County. He received his degree from Salisbury University and his JD from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Jillian Miceli

Jillian Miceli is a personal injury paralegal who joined the firm in April 2020 to head our Personal Injury Department, assisting attorneys in their casework. She is a results-oriented professional and extends exceptional service to Albers and Associates’ clients.

Before joining the firm, Jillian interned at the State’s Attorney’s Office in Anne Arundel County’s Circuit Court, where she worked as a litigation paralegal to gain experience in personal injury and criminal law.

Jillian graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies magna cum laude from Stevenson University. 

Melissa A. Brandenburg

Melissa Brandenburg has over sixteen years of experience as a criminal defense and personal injury paralegal, assisting attorneys in their casework.

Melissa prepares documentation working under the supervision of an attorney handling all aspects of serious cases, which includes client intake, opening files, filing claims with liability, ordering medical records and billing, and following up on requests. She is also experienced in drafting and filing suits, discovery, and pleadings with the Court, drafting and filing all criminal motions, summarizing discovery from the State, and maintaining all calendaring.

Melissa earned her degree in paralegal studies from the Community College of Baltimore County. 

Maxwell Pardoe

Maxwell is responsible for facilitating meetings between the firm’s attorneys for business discussions, assisting in new business developments, and expanding practice areas and jurisdictions in order to service client needs.

His clerk experience extends to conducting extensive research for family, personal injury, and criminal defense legal work. Max was also an intern with the Maryland General Assembly, where he supported staff by tracking constituent concerns.

Max graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in American Politics and Law summa cum laude from McDaniel College, where he was the founder, president, and advisor of their Pre-Law Society.

Makenzie Pennington

Makenzie Pennington brings her passion for the law and educational background in legal studies to her position as law clerk for our team. She has nearly three years of experience gained in internship and clerk positions.

Makenzie’s work involves drafting complaints, motions, and briefs in complex criminal and personal injury cases, including car accidents and assaults, and ensures that case-related materials for attorney and client files are organized into appropriate folders. She also conducts legal research on a wide variety of topics for the cases that she is working on. She also conducts legal research on a wide variety of topics for the cases that she is working on, communicates with clients, and participates in client meetings.

Makenzie lives in Baltimore. She received her degree in criminology/criminal justice and is currently working towards a master’s in legal studies.

Jim Lantz

A 2020 Salisbury graduate that was Double Major in Political Science and History. Jim then became the 3rd JD Candidate at the University of Baltimore School of Law and an Attorney at the University of Baltimore’s Bob Parsons Veterans Clinic.

In his time at the University of Baltimore, he was also a student attorney. The team at Albers and Associates could not be happier to have Jim as a part of the team.

Tyler Wilson

Tyler Wilson joined the firm’s Family Law group in the Westminster, Maryland office.  He represents clients across a range of domestic matters, including adoption, custody, divorce, and prenups. 

Tyler has served as a prosecutor in the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office and as a compliance attorney at Venable, LLP. Tyler is a professional, responsive, and results-oriented lawyer who is a strong advocate for his clients. 

Tyler received his degree from King’s College and his JD from the University of Akron School of Law. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar.