PK Law was founded in May of 1988, primarily as an estate planning and elder law firm. The founding attorneys, along with a few employees, occupied a small office space in Towson. The firm steadily grew and diversified its practices and moved to its current headquarters located at 901 Dulaney Valley Rd. in August of 1993.
Today the firm is the ninth largest law firm in the Baltimore metropolitan region and has offices in Towson/Baltimore, Columbia and Bel Air. The firm currently has over 50 attorneys supported by paralegals, project managers, legal administrators, law clerks and an administrative staff that includes a Chief Financial Officer, Human Relations Director, Chief Information Officer and Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer. The firm is led by Managing Director, Drake Zaharris. While the firm continues to be a leader in the Estate Planning and Elder Law fields, the firm’s core practice areas now also include Corporate and Real Estate, Education Law, Employment Law, Litigation and Medical Malpractice Defense. The firm’s attorneys have practices that span Maryland and the District of Columbia as well as nationwide.
What PK Law employees have to say about the firm:
“PK Law is an extremely collegial place to work and I truly have fun practicing law with my colleagues,” explained David Pessin, Founding Member. “The Firm possesses an extraordinary high level of awareness of making PK Law a good workplace. The leadership team understands that happy people are more productive and profitable and they stay longer.”
“This might sound like a minor item, but the Firm recognizes that everyone works really hard at their job and it is a great feeling to feel appreciated,” stated Administrative Assistant Susan Leder. “PK Law values and encourages employee growth. I have been here nearly 23 years and find the environment stimulating and open to my ideas. Just because you start with one job, doesn’t mean you have to stay there. There was an instance where an employee started as a secretary and worked her way up to become a member of the Firm.”
“PK Law is reflective of the quality of the individuals that work here,” said Elliott Petty, Member, who has worked at the Firm for nine years. “They are not solely beholden to work and give equal priority to their families, involvement in the community and giving back to the legal profession. A well-rounded person performs better across the board. Managing Director Drake Zaharris understands the value of our staff including the importance of keeping them happy. Satisfied and happy staff translates to happy attorneys. In addition, no one group in the Firm is the top dog or dominating over the others, which could cause friction. All groups are on equal footing.”
“There exists tremendous synergism at the Firm,” stated Barry Bach, General Counsel. “The lawyers working here are devoted to law and love to practice it. Because everyone works so well together, it makes the environment extremely conducive for the effective representation of all our clients. Great teamwork also contributes to the development of young legal talent within the firm. We have many attorneys who are highly-regarded professionals in the legal community, and they collectively provide training and guidance to our young lawyers so as to afford a high level of legal services across the board.” Mr. Bach has been associated with PK Law for 21 years.
“PK Law affords us the opportunity to achieve a healthy work-life balance,” said Lisa Settles, Member, who has worked for the Firm for 15 years. “We are extremely collegial and have the best group of associates I have ever worked with. Our litigation associates gain real courtroom experience and are afforded that opportunity at an early stage in their careers. Rather than simply researching issues and staying in the background, our associates often gain hands-on, real-world experience. This is very important. The Firm also encourages community service and personal growth. Leadership starts at the top. Our Managing Director, Drake Zaharris, treats everyone with respect. From our mail room clerks to the Firm’s equity partners, Drake treats everyone in the same manner. He exemplifies courteousness and professionalism, which permeates throughout the Firm.”
“The Firm encourages an entrepreneurial approach towards practicing law, which includes the individual pursuit of involvement with organizations and causes that people feel passionate about,” explained Lauren Ades, Member. “PK Law supports every networking opportunity or leadership position that an employee wishes to take on. A strong spirit of collaboration also exists. We constantly strive to pair clients together to assemble like interests, including the arrangement of transactional opportunities. This matchmaker mentality provides benefits and value to all parties.” Ms. Ades has been associated with PK Law for 12 years.
“PK Law is a wonderful place to work,” stated Rhonda King, Lead Receptionist, who has been an employee for seven years. “The Firm demonstrates kindness and respect to its employees on a regular basis and also comforts those that are experiencing storms in their lives. They have definitely been there for me. The weekly free doughnuts or bagels might seem small but, together with the ice cream treats, makes us feel special, appreciated and means a lot. The little things are really the big things.”
“Given my long tenure with the company, I point to the continuity of the Firm as a significant reason for its success,” explained Susan Woodin, Paralegal. “Everyone in the Firm is treated equally and with dignity and respect. There is no segregation between attorneys and the rest of the firm. When someone is promoted to partner, the entire firm is invited to celebrate in this success. The Firm represents quality clients and you have the opportunity to work on interesting matters. I also appreciate the flexible work schedule before holidays, and the special events including baseball games which really do make you feel appreciated.” Ms. Woodin has been associated with the Firm for 26 years.
As a workplace, the firm has worked hard to establish and maintain a culture of professionalism, diversity, community, growth, pride, appreciation, philanthropy, work-life balance and fun. The firm has repeatedly been selected as a Baltimore Sun Top 100 Workplaces and a Baltimore Business Journal Best Place to Work Finalist. As part of its recent office renovation, the firm built the PK Law Café where attorneys and employees gather for morning coffee, lunch, happy hour and firm events. Organized by the PK Law Fun Committee, the firm regularly engages in fun activities including outings to O’s games, karaoke night, bowling, paint night, pumpkin decorating, garage top barbeques and ice cream socials. The firm also participates in firm sponsored community service activities such as their annual Food Box Program, Dress for Success, Toys for Tots and back to school supply drives. The success of these efforts can be seen in the numbers. Thirty percent of the firm’s current employees have been with the firm for 10 years or longer.
PK Law looks forward to continued success and growth over the next thirty years and beyond.
