About Us

Adam M. Smallow

Adam M. Smallow is the President and Client Experience Officer at Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers. His mission at the firm is to ensure that all injured victims receive a superior client experience through high-quality medical care and crystal-clear communication. Originally from Philadelphia, Adam attended college at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, and law school at Rutgers University in New Jersey. As the firm grew over the past decade, so did the quality of medical providers that are available to assist all clients. As the legal team grew, so did a culture of excellence that was dedicated to client care. Today, the firm represents injured victims across the state of Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region in the areas of car and truck crashes, medical malpractice, and nursing home negligence Adam has developed several community initiatives in Harford County that include the Fill a Backpack event for local students at the beginning of the school year and the Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Drive for senior citizens. Additionally, the Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers has partnered with Pathfinders for Autism, a Maryland non-profit organization that supports and improves the lives of individuals with autism and those who care for them. In 2022, Adam introduced the annual Attorneys for Autism Awareness event, a dinner, and a silent auction that raises significant funds for the Pathfinders organization. Adam’s vision is to continue to elevate the practice of personal injury law in Maryland by ensuring that injured victims have access to quality medical providers, stay informed throughout their cases with their legal team, and receive the best resolutions possible.

Cecilia I. Lavrin

Cecilia I. Lavrin is a former registered nurse who worked on medical and obstetrical units. After graduating from law school, she spent the first six years defending physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers in medical negligence suits. She then went on to act as the Director of Risk Management for a regional medical center for two years. For the last 20 years, Ms. Lavrin has used her background in nursing, defense law, and risk management to pursue cases involving medical and nursing home negligence and personal injury litigation, recovering millions of dollars on behalf of her clients. Prior to joining the Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers in 2022, she was an attorney at a major medical negligence firm and had managed her own law firm in Easton and Cambridge, Maryland, where she concentrated on representing victims of medical mistakes, as well as assisting other law firms with their medical and personal injury cases. Her background in nursing allows her to quickly and effectively review and understand medical records, choose the most effective medical experts, and consult with experts on an advanced level. She has litigated cases in Maryland at both the state and the federal level and has been admitted pro hac vice in the District of Columbia and the states of Tennessee, Virginia, New York, and Florida. Additionally, Ms. Lavrin has drafted briefs and argued cases before the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.

Ms. Lavrin strongly believes in a close relationship with her clients and educating them on their medical and legal issues. She has often found that her clients and their loved ones were not provided a careful explanation of the care they received, and are appreciative of a discussion of the medical facts and history using straightforward and simple language. Ms. Lavrin has lived most of her life in Maryland and is the mother of twins. While she lives and works in the Baltimore area during the week, Ms. Larvin spends weekends on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she enjoys time with her husband and her hobbies of kayaking and gardening.

Julia C. Fuller

Julia C. Fuller is a dedicated and results-driven Director of Operations at Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers, with over 19 years of experience in Personal Injury, Workers Compensation, Social Security Disability, and Estate Planning. She is focused on enhancing productivity and optimizing administrative processes. Julia holds an Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies from Hartford Community College and is an active member of the Maryland Association for Justice, as well as being certified in FileVine.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Julia enjoys spending quality time with her husband and three stepchildren, attending Orioles and Ravens games. She is actively involved with the C. Milton Wright Boosters and participates in her son's team sports, serving as a team manager for his soccer team. Julia's commitment to excellence is evident in both her professional endeavors and her personal life.

Michelle Beckwith

Michelle Beckwith brings over 30 years of invaluable experience to Adam M. Smallow Lawyers specializing in Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation, Medical Malpractice, and Criminal Law. As a Senior Paralegal in the personal injury department, Michelle is dedicated to assisting clients with their property damage claims, facilitating medical treatment, and guiding cases through the settlement process.

Her journey in the legal field began at the Community College of Baltimore County, where she laid the groundwork for her paralegal studies. She furthered her education by enrolling in the Jurisprudence Program at the University of Baltimore, deepening her understanding of law.

Outside of her professional commitments, Michelle treasures her time spent with family and friends and enjoys indulging in her passion for reading.

Jane Pessagno

Jane Pessagno was born and raised in Harford County, Maryland. She has successfully worked within both the private and non-private sectors, contributing her talents and skills in a myriad of ways. A natural people person, she cares about the details and ensures that clients and coworkers always have an exceptional experience. When she's not working, she enjoys cooking, entertaining, and traveling. She is a dog lover and avid reader, residing in Bel Air.

Carolina I. Hernandez

Carolina I. Hernandez is our litigation paralegal and joined Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers in February 2024. She has 9 years of experience working in the legal field. Prior to joining Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers, Carolina worked at another firm for 8 years handling all aspects of Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Criminal, Civil, and Family Law cases. She also worked in defense workers’ compensation for a short period of time.

In 2015, Carolina received her Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies from the Community College of Baltimore County. In 2019, Carolina graduated from Stevenson University, magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies. Carolina is known for her exceptional attention to detail and ability to work well under pressure. Carolina is responsible for handling all aspects of our litigation personal injury cases. She assists attorneys and clients by providing regular contact and updates, maintaining the case calendar and deadlines, drafting pleadings and correspondence. She is also responsible for maintaining all document production in her client case files as well as preparing for mediations, depositions, hearings, and trials. Carolina is exceptionally dedicated to each one of her cases and is involved in cases from the beginning of litigation until the end.

In her free time, Carolina enjoys spending time with her family.

Mikayla Schreiber

Mikayla Schreiber is a dedicated legal professional with a strong foundation in legal studies. A proud graduate of Stevenson University, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies, and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Forensic Investigation at the same institution. Since her sophomore year, Mikayla has been immersed in the world of personal injury and medical malpractice, gaining invaluable experience in the legal field. Currently serving as both the Client Care Coordinator and Relationship Manager at the firm, she plays a crucial role in ensuring client satisfaction and fostering meaningful connections.

Driven by her passion for law, Mikayla is preparing to take the LSAT, with the goal of attending law school in the near future. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Mikayla cherishes her time spent with family and friends, always finding joy in building lasting relationships and creating memorable experiences.

Valeria Carmona

Valeria Carmona is a dedicated paralegal and attorney with a strong foundation in litigation and case management. She earned her law degree from Universidad Autonoma de las America in Medellin, Colombia. Valeria is committed to supporting clients by streamlining legal processes and facilitating a smooth litigation experience for all parties involved. Her expertise in navigating complex legal environments makes her an invaluable asset in the pursuit of justice.