Civil Litigation

We have protected the rights of individuals and small businesses in suburban Maryland since 1992. Believe it or not, we continue to represent small businesses and persons who were with us when we first opened our doors in 1992. We built this practice on a commitment to personal service. We started with the recognition that your legal problems are unique and require personal attention. We fervently believe that the attorney-client relationship is built upon a foundation of dignity and mutual respect. We work hard to establish and keep your trust. When you hire Shechtel and Associates, P.A. to protect your interests, whether they be as a plaintiff, defendant, interested third party, or witness, you will work directly with an attorney who has your interests at heart at all times.

We take a holistic approach towards your needs and our representation of you. We look at how the resolution of one issue in your case may affect other areas of your life, including your family, finances, or the case at bar. We believe in open and honest communications at all times. We work hard to keep you informed of the developments in your case, whether they be good, bad or ugly. We strive to keep you aware of your options.

Our Civil Litigation Practice

We aggressively represent: individuals, partnerships, LLC’s, LLP’s, corporations (sub S or chapter C corporations), proprietorships, or any other business entity you are whether you are a plaintiff or defendant. We handle cases in the District Court of Maryland, all Maryland Circuit Courts, District of Columbia Superior Court, and the United States District Court.

We handle a broad range of civil disputes, including claims involving:

Breach of contract

We prosecute your rights whether you are seeking monetary damages or defending claims against you for breach of contract.

Fraud

We represent parties who are the victims of fraud, misrepresentation, breach of trust, breach of fiduciary duty, or constructive fraud.

Partnership disputes

We can help you if you are a member of a partnership and your situation involves the dissolution of your partnership. We have decades of experience litigating: allegations breach of partnership, breach of fiduciary duty, dissolution of partnership, and the winding up of a partnership. Whether your partnership agreement is written or oral, we know what to do to help you and we will work with you to dissolve and wind-up your partnership. Our services include the fair division of partnership debts and assets.

Replevin, Detinue, and Repossessions

We know how to get you your property. We can help you recover your property through the Court. Since 1992, we have represented banks, individuals, and various secured lenders recover what is legally their property. We have experience in obtaining Orders from the United States Bankruptcy Court in the lifting of automatic stay in bankruptcy so that you can recover your property. Because of our vast experience as debtor and creditor attorneys, we can help you whether you are the creditor or the debtor. We know how to obtain, and challenge, deficiency actions arising from the repossession and sale of secured property.

Debtor and Creditor Law

We have over two decades of representing both creditors and debtors for breach of contract in cases that involve loans, including but not limited to: promissory notes payable, retail installment agreements, credit cards, deeds of trust, mortgages, home loans, car loans, boat loans, motorcycle loans, pay day loans, and bad checks. If you are being sued for money arising from a loan, the non-payment of a bill, or because you guaranteed a loan (whether as a: surety, insurer, or guarantor) we will fight to protect your rights. We have successfully fought against abuses by credit collection agencies under both Federal laws (Fair Credit Reporting Act, Dodd-Frank, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Reg Z and more) and we are knowledgeable of Maryland’s Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. We are familiar with your rights under Maryland’s Proscribed Practices under the Consumer Protection Act. If you are a creditor who is owed money, you owe it to yourself to contact us to collect your money too. We have been collecting on bad debts for over 20 years.

Our goal is always to get you full and fair compensation for any loss or injury you have sustained. If you are being sued we work hard to minimize, reduce or avoid your liability for an alleged wrongdoing. A good lawyer will work hard to keep your case out of court. We know from experience that litigation is costly. We employ all alternative means for dispute resolution including negotiated settlements, ADR (alternative dispute resolution) involving mediation or arbitration. We work hard to get you the outcome you want at the lowest possible cost