Andrew Shelly has joined our firm as Planner and Paralegal. Andrew has a master’s degree from West Chester University in urban and regional planning with a certificate in geographic information systems (GIS), which were received in 2020. Andrew also has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Lycoming College, which were received in 2018.
Andrew has several years of planning experience in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining Shipley & Horne, P.A., Andrew served as a Planner II with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (“M-NCPPC”). At M-NCPPC, Andrew assumed responsibilities as a case reviewer for Urban Design and Zoning cases in the Development Review section of the Prince George’s County Planning Department. Andrew worked on a variety of projects, which included providing staff reports and presentations to both the Planning Board and District Council in Prince George’s County. Prior to working with M-NCPPC, Andrew worked as a Planner for Cotleur & Hearing of Palm Beach Florida, and as a Project Manager and GIS Analyst for Softdig.
Lori Bonnette joined Shipley & Horne, P.A. in November 2023 as a Legal Assistant. She currently supports litigation and other case management functions within the firm. Being able to balance competing priorities serves Lori well, as she also manages case files, judiciary and client interaction, preparation of legal documents and the like. She assists with a broad range of activities, providing for a smooth and productive work environment. Ms. Bonnette thrives in the fast-paced legal environment at Shipley & Horne, P.A., where there is always something requiring her skill set or simply a watchful eye.
LaTarsha joined Shipley & Horne, P.A. in January 2013. Prior to her time at Shipley & Horne, Mrs. Johnson worked as a property manager.
Mrs. Johnson has served on the PTA and takes pride in her involvement in various elementary schools. She enjoys reading, writing poetry and spending time with her family.
Since the firm’s inception in 1995, Mr. Moran has served as the firm’s administrator and has supported the partners in providing advice in all of the financial and business aspects of the firm, including the firm’s accounting, budgets, marketing strategies, technology and other related matters.
Melanie joined the firm in March of 2014, and currently provides a variety of legal and administrative support to the firm’s attorneys. Melanie has specialized experience in real estate and foreclosure matters and also supports the firm’s audit related functions.
An integral member of the Shipley & Horne, P.A. team since the firm’s founding in 1995, Marilyn Taylor serves as the firm’s office manager. In this role, she provides administrative support to the Senior and Managing partners. She is also in charge of all billing matters, in addition to providing overall management and leadership to the firm’s staff. As office manager, Ms. Taylor has the opportunity to interact with all of the firm’s team members and she enjoys making a difference and creating a positive office culture.
Prior to joining Shipley & Horne, P.A. in 1995, Ms. Taylor worked at the firm of Meyers, Billingsley, Shipley, Rodbell & Rosenbaum, P.A.
When not hard at work, Ms. Taylor is an avid reader and enjoys mentoring youth and spending time with her family.
For more than a decade, Cathy Lutz has served as Shipley & Horne, P.A.’s Audits Coordinator. In this role, Ms. Lutz utilizes her proficiency with numbers by coordinating all of the audits that have resulted from the many home foreclosures throughout Prince George’s County.
Ms. Lutz joined the Shipley & Horne, P.A. team in 2000 while also working for Prince George’s County government, sustaining her close ties to the Prince George’s County community. She retired from her government position in 2002 and continued to dedicate herself to her work with the auditing team at Shipley and Horne. She enjoys the camaraderie at the firm and working closely with her colleagues.
Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Ms. Lutz enjoys traveling as well as gourmet cooking.
Gabrielle “Gabby” Hughes joined Shipley & Horne, P.A. in 2013 as Legal Secretary. She was promoted to Paralegal in 2016, after earning her certificate in Paralegal studies from the National Paralegal College. She currently supports two of the firm’s associate attorneys in the practice areas of Landlord-Tenant and Civil Litigation. Gabby’s organizational skills and innate ability to manage competing priorities enables her to also provide a broad range of audit and trustee support to other attorneys and team members.
Outside the office, Gabby volunteers as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
John J. Ferrante has joined our firm as a Senior Land Planner and Paralegal. John brings over twenty-five years of experience in planning, zoning, and development to our firm.
John amassed a wide variety of experiences over his 25 years in the Public and Private Sectors. Prior to joining Shipley & Horne, P.A., John served as a Senior Planner with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (“M-NCPPC”). At M-NCPPC, John honed his expertise, assuming increasing responsibilities in the areas of Planning, Development Review, Permit Review, Subdivision, and Zoning. Prior to working with M-NCPPC, John served as a Project Coordinator with the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation, and also as a civil engineer and land surveyor at Baldwin and Sampson Engineering and Surveying.
Paul joined Shipley & Horne, P.A. in 2014. Since this time he has established a solid reputation of diligent advocacy for his clients in the firm’s general civil litigation and business transaction practice areas Known for his client dedication and assuring nature, Paul has successfully counseled clients through ongoing business operations and family disputes while also navigating litigation in construction, real estate, and general business matters. Paul is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia and has conducted several jury and bench trials in the Maryland state courts, D.C. Superior Court, and the United States District Court in both Maryland and the District of Columbia. Paul has also given oral arguments and prepared appellate briefs in the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.
In maintaining a practice where he represents both plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation and trial matters, Paul has successfully defended a $3 million-dollar wrongful death claim, brought closure to a variety of property disputes and quiet title actions, and routinely handles commercial and residential lease disputes with positive results. Paul also represents insured lenders and homeowners on behalf of title insurance underwriters on issues such as enforcement of security instruments to prescriptive easements.
Additionally, Paul’s real estate practice is comprised of commercial and residential transactions to include development of covenants, bylaws and governance documents, contract preparation and review, and dispute resolution. Paul’s administrative law practice encompasses representation of clients before governmental agencies for zoning, land use and development matters, and related permitting processes, including his extensive experience representing clients before the Prince George’s County Liquor Board concerning licensing and related business matters.
Prior to Paul’s legal career he was a licensed stockbroker and financial consultant at Charles Schwab & Co. At Schwab, Paul managed the assets of more than 200 Schwab investors in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority rules.
During his collegiate years at the University of Maryland at College Park, Paul was awarded a Division I football scholarship where he co-captained the Terrapins his senior season. His mantra, “Perfect Practice makes Perfect! Practice, Practice, Practice!” provided impetus for Paul as he earned the scholarship. Paul’s leadership skills, preparation, and attention to detail, fueled by his enduring mantra, are the characteristics and focus he provides for valuable clients at the law offices of Shipley & Horne, P.A.
Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
Maryland State Bar Association
District of Columbia Bar Association
J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association
Prince George’s County Bar Association
Activities/Awards
Board of Directors, Bishop McNamara High School, Inc. (2013-19)
Member, Advancement Committee/Development Committee and Nominations Committee,
Mentor, Law Links Student Internship Program (summers 2014-present)
Assistant Coach, Upper Marlboro Boys & Girls Club, 4-7-year-old T-Ball (2019)