is a real estate and corporate counsel with a 22+ year track record of assessing risk, managing litigation, and building compliance systems to protect organizational interests. He is a trusted business partner and problem solver, dedicated to delivering exceptional results that advance business objectives through preventive counseling, strategic risk management, and shrewd advocacy. Mr. Aponte-Parsi is a team leader and project manager who builds relationships, leads change, and communicates effectively with private and public stakeholders. He earned his bachelor's degree from Syracuse University, with a major in international relations, and his J.D. degree from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law. In May 2014, Mr. Aponte-Parsi completed his Master of Laws degree from Northwestern University School of Law and a Certificate in Business Administration from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain. In 2018, he completed a second LL.M. degree at Georgetown University Law School in securities and financial regulation. In 2022, Mr. Aponte-Parsi completed a certification in privacy law from Seton Hall University School of Law. He was president of the Board of the Puerto Rico Education Council, the licensing agency for the Commonwealth, and is currently the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the San Juan Community College. Since November of 2024, Mr. Aponte-Parsi has worked as an associate general counsel at the Office of the General Counsel of the Air Force (SAF/GCN) at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas. SAF/GCN provides legal and policy advice to members of the Secretariat, air staff, and space staff on virtually all matters relating to the department's 180 installations, nearly 10 million acres of real estate, base realignment, and closure; programs for environmental planning, compliance, and restoration and natural and cultural resources management; and programs for safety and occupational health.

is an attorney with Ashwell & Ashwell, PLLC. He practices in the areas of civil litigation, land use and zoning, appellate advocacy, business and commercial law, and trust and estate planning. Mr. Ashwell is admitted to practice in Virginia and before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western districts of Virginia, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a member of the The Virginia State Bar Association and Fauquier Bar Association, and serves on the Virginia State Bar Seventh District Disciplinary Committee. Mr. Ashwell earned his B.A. degree from Hampden-Sydney College and his J.D. degree from the University of Dayton School of Law.

is an attorney at Gordon Feinblatt LLC. She is an attorney in our financial services practice group. Ms. Bekman has extensive experience in commercial litigation, business litigation, real estate litigation and bankruptcy law. She represents a broad range of clients, including business owners, title insurance companies and their insureds, hotels, lenders, property owners, landlords, vendors, suppliers, and utility companies, across a variety of industries. These disputes encompass commercial and business conflicts, real estate issues, workout and restructuring matters, bankruptcy cases, and employment disagreements. Ms. Bekman was named in Best Lawyers for commercial litigation (2023-2025), as a Maryland Super Lawyer, Bankruptcy (2025), and as a Maryland Super Lawyers Rising Star. She has also served on various boards and committees, including the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law Alumni Board, the Maryland Bar Association Voir Dire Committee, IWIRC, Greater Maryland Chapter, Itineris, Inc., Florida International University Business Women in Leadership Advisory Counsel, and the Turnaround Management Association (TMA)/Chesapeake Chapter. Ms. Bekman is admitted to practice in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia state and federal courts. She is also admitted to the United States Supreme Court, and the United States Courts of Appeal for the Fourth and Fifth Circuits. Ms. Bekman earned her B.A. degree from Bucknell University and her J.D. degree from University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

is a partner at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP. He maintains a diverse practice focused on commercial litigation, real estate, energy and natural resources, and environmental and infrastructure permitting matters. Mr. Rapisarda serves as a trusted strategist and advisor for complex real estate development, land use, zoning, and digital infrastructure projects. With more than 20 years in BigLaw, he delivers practical, business-oriented counsel to advance client goals, identify and minimize risks, and navigate regulatory and litigation challenges. Mr. Rapisarda is particularly sought after for strategic guidance on digital infrastructure projects, data centers, towers, electric substations and utility interconnections, small cell, broadband/fiber deployments, colocation/expansion rights, and related regulatory compliance. He is client-centered, representing both companies and individuals and is active in the Baltimore community. Mr. Rapisarda sits on the Board of Trustees for the Living Classrooms Foundation and the Board of Directors for the DevelopMore Foundation. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the MD DC Wireless Association (MDDCWA) and frequently presents on emerging issues in land us, zoning, and digital infrastructure development. Mr. Rapisarda earned his B.S. degree from Towson University and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from University of Baltimore School of Law.

is general counsel at Fernmoor Homes. He brings to the firm his broad experience in commercial real estate law, title expertise and business transactions to manage and resolve issues for his clients in an efficient and time sensitive manner. With a diverse background in all areas of real estate law, Mr. Kessler represented large and small companies, government agencies and institutions in financing, development and acquisitions, Low-Income Tax Credit transactions, leasing, and zoning and land use. He is a member of the Delaware State, Pennsylvania and New Jersey State bar associations. Mr. Kessler is an adjunct professor at Widener Law School and has spoken on the topic "Landlord Tenant Law - How to Prosper in the New Market." He earned his B.A. degree, high honors in history, from Muhlenberg College and his J.D. degree from Rutgers Law School. During his time at Rutgers Law School, Mr. Kessler was also the research editor of the Rutgers Law Journal.