Goodell DeVries is pleased to announce that Jessica Ayd, James Phelan Robinson, and Justin E. Tepe have been elected partners of the firm, effective January 1, 2023.
A member of the firm's Medical Malpractice Practice Group, Jessica Ayd focuses her practice on the defense of health care providers and institutions. She has experience in all aspects of complex civil litigation in matters before state and federal courts and has served as first chair in several jury trials. Prior to joining Goodell DeVries, Jessica was a civil litigation attorney at a private law firm where she practiced general liability defense, medical malpractice defense, and construction law. Before entering private practice, she was a law clerk for the Honorable Arlene Coppadge and the Honorable Robert Coonin of Family Court of the State of Delaware. Jessica also served as a volunteer for the United States Peace Corps in the Republic of the Fiji Islands, where she served as Health Promotion Advocate at the Lelean Memorial School. In that role, Jessica designed and facilitated adolescent reproductive health classes.
Jessica has been recognized in Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch for Construction, Insurance, and Transportation Law and in Maryland Super Lawyers – Rising Stars for Civil Litigation Defense. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, School of Law (J.D., 2011) and the University of Maryland College Park (B.A., summa cum laude, 2006).
James Phelan Robinson is a member of Goodell DeVries's Medical Malpractice and Appellate practice groups. James defends healthcare providers and healthcare institutions, including nursing homes and hospitals, as well as insurance companies in all phases of medical malpractice claims, from commencement to completion. Before joining Goodell DeVries, James worked as a civil litigation attorney at an Annapolis-based law firm where he practiced medical malpractice defense. Prior to entering private practice, James served as a law clerk to the Honorable Shirley M. Watts of the Supreme Court of Maryland. He also served as a law clerk to the Honorable William C. Mulford, II of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County.
James is Chair of the Young Lawyers Division of the Bar Association of Baltimore City. He also serves as the Baltimore City representative to the Young Lawyers Section of the Maryland State Bar Association. He has been recognized in Maryland Super Lawyers – Rising Stars in the Medical Malpractice Defense and Civil Litigation Defense categories. He is a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2013), where he served as Staff Editor and Recent Developments Editor at the University of Baltimore Law Forum, and George Washington University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2009).
Justin E. Tepe is a co-founder of the Cannabis Law practice at Goodell DeVries and represents licensed entities and ancillary businesses in the cannabis industry. He advises cannabis clients as regulatory advisor and as outside general counsel on matters ranging from employment law and contract negotiations to commercial disputes and transactions. Justin defends cannabis clients in regulatory enforcement actions before the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. He also assists clients in developing compliant operating procedures, drafting management agreements and applications for licenses, and in corporate governance and formation.
Before joining Goodell DeVries, Justin worked as a lobbyist in Annapolis, Maryland, and previously worked for a Mid-Atlantic law firm representing clients in general tort litigation. Before entering private practice, Justin served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Shannon E. Avery of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
Justin has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America — Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation and in Maryland Super Lawyers – Rising Stars for Cannabis Law and Business Litigation. He is a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2015), where he served as Editor-in-Chief for the University of Baltimore Journal of International Law, Volume III, and St. Mary's College of Maryland (B.A., 2009).
About Goodell DeVries
Goodell DeVries is a regional law firm with a national presence. Our team of attorneys handles the most complex legal challenges for clients across the country in business law, intellectual property, product liability, mass torts, medical malpractice law, appellate matters, complex commercial litigation, insurance, toxic torts, and more. Our lawyers are ranked among the best in the nation by leading directories, including Chambers and Best Lawyers, and we've been named among the top law firms for women by Law360. To learn more, visit www.gdldlaw.com or follow us on LinkedIn.