Managing Director
Drake Zaharris
Drake Zaharris is the Managing Director of Pessin Katz Law, P.A. (PK Law) and part of the Firm’s Corporate and Real Estate Group. He has an active business and litigation practice, assisting entrepreneurs and business owners with the purchase and sale of businesses, business formation, business succession planning, financing, real estate, construction, and contracts. His clients include real estate owners and investors, construction companies, a broad array of small and midsize businesses, and family companies. Over the past thirty plus years, his clients have involved him in a wide range of business deals, throughout Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic region, and internationally.
Drake has significant litigation experience. Drake has tried cases in state and federal courts throughout Maryland, the District of Columbia, and notably, the United State Supreme Court. He is admitted to the bar in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and has been admitted on a pro hac vice basis in several other courts. Clients rely on Drake’s litigation experience combined with his deep understanding of the complexities of operating a business to assist them with resolving often contentious and distressing matters. He has represented clients in complex commercial litigation involving the dissolution of business relationships, the misappropriation of business assets and opportunities, contracts, real estate, construction, and financing.
Drake also serves as trustee for many clients and their families overseeing substantial assets for beneficiaries.
Education
- Duke University, B.A.
- Suffolk University Law School, J.D., with honors
Bar Admissions
- Maryland, 1982
- District of Columbia, 1985
- Pennsylvania, 1991
- Massachusetts, 1982
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- United States Supreme Court, (Celotex Corp. V. Catrett)
Community Involvement
- Board of Trustees, Living Classrooms Foundation (1996 — Present)
- Executive Committee, Living Classrooms Foundation (2011 –
Present) - Board of Trustees, The Children’s Guild (1998 — 2001)
- Board of Directors, Baltimore County Development Corporation (1992 — 1995)
Professional Involvement and Recognition
- Member, Office of the Attorney General Law Firm Advisory Council, 2024 – present
- Baltimore County Bar Association Plumhoff Professionalism Award, 2016
- Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission, Baltimore County, Appointed by Governor Ehrlich, July 2003 – 2005; Reappointed by Governor O’Malley July 2007 – 2011 and July 2011 – 2015
- MSBA Bench Bar Committee 2015-
- Chairman, Baltimore County Bar Association Bench Bar Committee, 2013-2014
- Vice-Chair, Baltimore County Bar Association Bench Bar Committee: 2012-2013
- Selected “Best Lawyers in America ®” for Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law, 2013-2026
- Selected “Best Lawyers in America ®” for Corporate Law and Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, 2021-2026
- Past President, Maryland Association of Defense Trial Counsel
- Baltimore County Bar Association Law Day Award, 2018
- Recipient, Defense Research Institute Exceptional Performance Award
- Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers 2009-2022, 2024 – 2025
- Leadership — Baltimore County (2000)
- Member, Defense Research & Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, Maryland Defense Counsel
- Member, The Harmonie Group
Representative Matters
VEI Catonsville , LLC v. Einbinder Properties, LLC, 2013 WL 3198414, Md. Court of Special Appeals (2013) – A declaratory judgment was rendered by the Circuit Court for Baltimore County in favor of Einbinder Properties, LLC (“Einbinder”), represented by Mr. Zaharris and Pessin Katz Law, P.A. (“PK Law”). The case involved the exercise of an option to purchase and a determination of value based upon the terms of the option. The lower court found that an appraisal of the property at issued complied with the dictates of the “Agreement Regarding Right of First Refusal and Option to Purchase.” VEI appealed and the Maryland Court of Special Appeals affirmed and ruled in the favor of Einbinder. Notably, in the underlying case there were three potential values that the court could select to set the value of the purchase price under the terms of the option. The court selected the highest value (7.4 million dollars) for PK Law client, Einbinder.
The case identified above is representative. It is important to recognize that each case is different and that an attorney’s past record is no assurance that he/she will be successful in reaching a favorable result in any future case.
AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyers
Super Lawyers
Drake Zaharris
Managing Director
