BALTIMORE March 22, 2011 -- Gallagher Evelius & Jones LLP is pleased to announce that Ryan J. Potter, David G. Sommer, and Brian T. Tucker have become partners of the firm.

RYAN J. POTTER
A member of Gallagher's real estate practice, Mr. Potter assists clients throughout the real estate development process, including acquisition, financing, and disposition of residential and commercial projects, health care and educational expansion projects, and urban redevelopment projects. Mr. Potter's practice includes all aspects of land use law, government relations, entitlements, permit approvals, code compliance, and historic preservation regulations. Most recently, Mr. Potter assisted in the campus expansion of a major community health system. He represented the medical center in real estate acquisitions, and all necessary zoning, re-zoning, land use, and permit approvals to keep the facility's state-of-the-art hospital project moving forward.


"Whether guiding a downtown hospital client through a major expansion, negotiating zoning legislation for Harbor East developments, advising an urban university on permitting approvals for an athletic field, or working with land owners on historic properties, Ryan combines skill, diplomacy and tact to obtain favorable rulings that enable our clients' projects to move forward," said Linda Jones, administrative partner at Gallagher. "Strategic in his approach, Ryan is part planner, part trial lawyer, and part negotiator. He is effective on all fronts. I am delighted that he has become a partner of the firm."

Mr. Potter joined Gallagher in 2002 following his graduation from the University of Maryland School of Law where he received his J.D. with honor. He attended Loyola University Maryland where he earned his B.A. in 1999. Mr. Potter sits on the board of governors of the Citizens Planning and Housing Association. Previously, he served on the boards of directors of the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat House and St. Thomas More Society, and the advisory board to the Superintendent of Catholic Schools.

DAVID G. SOMMER
Representing lenders, receivers, real estate investors, health care institutions, municipalities, and other for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, Mr. Sommer helps clients resolve business disputes through bankruptcy, litigation, and negotiation. Mr. Sommer devotes his practice to guiding clients through loan workouts, recovery of collateral and assets, bankruptcy litigation, and other financial disputes. He regularly appears in state and federal courts.


In 2009, Mr. Sommer successfully concluded nearly seven years of trial and appellate litigation defending against a life-insurer’s attempts to rescind a multi-million dollar policy. Gallagher's client achieved a full recovery following a federal appellate court decision that affirmed a judgment declaring the policy valid and enforceable.

"David provides client advocacy with sound judgment and effective counsel. He works with our clients to understand their objectives. He develops an individualized response to help each client achieve their goal," commented Tom Dame, chair of Gallagher's litigation and creditors' rights practice. "David delivers the results our clients want. He brings an analytical perspective to every matter he handles characterized by persistence and diplomacy. He adds great strength to our firm and our clients."

Before joining Gallagher in 2004, Mr. Sommer served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Lynne A. Battaglia of the Court of Appeals of Maryland. He earned a B.A., magna cum laude, from Salisbury State University in 1994 and a second B.A. in 1998 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. In 2002, he received his J.D., with honor, from the University of Maryland School of Law, where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif. Mr. Sommer is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, and The Honorable James Macgill American Inn of Court.

BRIAN T. TUCKER
Mr. Tucker is a litigator who focuses on complex commercial disputes including matters for educational and nonprofit organizations. He has obtained judgments in favor of primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, and health care and religious entities in an array of discrimination, tort and contract cases. He recently worked on behalf of a church in a two-week trial, post-trial motions, and appeal that resulted in a favorable $3.7 million jury verdict on claims under the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). Mr. Tucker also advises clients on compliance and sensitive risk management issues, and conducts investigations of fraud and misconduct.


"Brian is a powerful advocate for our clients. He is critical in his thinking, astute in his observation, and intuitive. With his strong communication skills, Brian has an innate ability to zero in on the critical issues and work with our clients to provide practical solutions to their concerns," commented Gallagher litigator Peter Keith. "Brian has already achieved an impressive record of trial and appellate wins. His election to the partnership is well deserved. He is a great asset to our clients."

Mr. Tucker joined Gallagher in 2004 following a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Richard D. Bennett of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Prior to entering the practice of law, he was a Senior Research Program Coordinator at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine's Lupus Center. Mr. Tucker earned his B.S., with honor, in 1992 from Michigan State University. He received his M.L.A. in 1997 from the Johns Hopkins University, and his J.D., with honor, in 2002 from the University of Maryland School of Law, where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif. Mr. Tucker is a member of the American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, and the National Association of College and University Attorneys.


About Gallagher
Founded in 1961, Gallagher Evelius & Jones LLP is a Baltimore-based law firm focusing on real estate and business transactions, tax, health care, litigation, bankruptcy and creditors' rights, employment, education, affordable housing, and nonprofit matters. The firm has more than 40 attorneys serving institutional, corporate, and tax-exempt organizations throughout Maryland and the nation.