Attorney Profiles
Toby N. Byrd | Jacqueline D. Byrd | Timothy P. Leahy | Jessica L. Estes | Joshua D. Winger | Brian W. Ritter, Jr.
BIOGRAPHY OF TOBY N. BYRD
Toby N. Byrd, managing attorney and senior partner at Byrd & Byrd, LLC received his JD Summa Cum Laude from the District of Columbia School of Law, where he was on the Law Review and graduated second in his class. Admitted to the bar in 1992, Toby has become a well-known Bowie attorney, as well as a long-time member of the Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland Bar Associations.
He is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals, fourth circuit. Toby received his undergraduate degree in 1971 from the University of Maryland where he received a BS in Civil Engineering, and earned membership in Chi Epsilon, the honorary civil engineering fraternity.
Toby has lived in Bowie since 1968, and has been active in church and community activities for more than forty years. He is Chairman of the Board of Grace Christian School, past president of the Westview Homeowner’s Association, and serves on the Deacon Board at Grace Baptist Church. Additionally, he has served on the Panel of Arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association and serves on the Board of Directors of Wabanna Camp and Conference Center.
An effective litigator, Toby particularly excels in areas of construction, engineering, dispute resolution, real estate and contract law as well as business formation, real estate law and a wide range of business law matters.
BIOGRAPHY OF JACQUELINE D. BYRD
Jackie joined her husband Toby as Partner in the firm in 1999 and immediately launched the firm’s Elder Law practice. This was the start of a “second” career for Jackie, who before she entered the University of Baltimore School of Law, completed twenty-five years of service at the United States House of Representatives, holding several management positions. As an Elder Law attorney, Jackie immediately became a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
Shortly after joining the firm, Jackie started writing the weekly column called Senior Moments for the Bowie Blade-News and other local newspapers. The column continues to be a way for Jackie to combine her passions – writing and educating about elder law issues. Based on the columns, Jackie has published two books: Senior Moments: A book for Seniors and Those Who Love Them, and Senior Moments 2: Help for Seniors and Those Who Love Them.
Jackie has been recognized for her commitment to Elder Law as the recipient of numerous awards including: Outstanding Chapter Member for NAELA’s Maryland/DC Chapter, the “President’s Award” from the Prince George’s County Bar Association for outstanding contributions to the Bar and to the community, and she has four times been named in Washingtonian magazine’s list of Top Washington Elder Law Attorneys.
As the firm’s Elder Law practice has grown to include two additional Elder Law attorneys, Jackie’s focus now is turned towards advocacy and service to the community. Recently, Jackie was appointed by Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, and confirmed by the County Council, to the Advisory Commission on Aging, a 24-member board that advises the Executive and the Council on issues related to aging. Jackie also serves on the Bowie Health Center’s Institutional Board of Directors, and on the Board of Directors for the Prince George’s County Senior Providers Network. Jackie continues to serve local organizations as a guest speaker on a range of topics related to aging.
Jackie’s undergraduate work was done at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas where she received a BA in Speech and Drama, and earned membership in the honorary forensic fraternity, Phi Kappa Delta. A graduate of the University Of Baltimore School of Law, Jackie received an alumna Dean’s Citation as Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Administration newsletter, “The Official Reporter.” While in law school, she was a Teaching Assistant for two years in the Legal Analysis, Research and Writing program.
Jackie has been married to Toby for over 40 years; they have two children and seven grandchildren.
BIOGRAPHY OF TIMOTHY P. LEAHY
Timothy P. Leahy practices law in Maryland and the District of Columbia and is a member of the American, Maryland, D.C, and Prince George’s County Bar associations. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Baltimore Law School in May 2000, earned his M.B.A. in 1993 at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, and his B.S. in Transportation & Logistics at Maryland in 1990.
Timothy brings over 10 years experience in business to his practice of the law and focuses on litigation and general practice matters. A former home improvement contractor and army reservist, he volunteers with Christmas in April and has coached for the Bowie Boys & Girls Club. He is a Board member of his homeowners association, pro bono counsel for Bowie CLAW, and a volunteer Mediator for the District Court of Maryland. Timothy moved to Bowie in 1982 and lives there with his wife of 21 years and two sons.
BIOGRAPHY OF JESSICA L. ESTES
Jessica L. Estes received her J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law in May, 2003 after earning a B.A. in Government and Politics in May, 2000 from the University of Maryland, College Park. Jessica is licensed to practice law in both Maryland and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. She is also a member of the Maryland and Prince George’s County Bar Associations, as well as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
Jessica joined Byrd & Byrd as an associate in 2004 after working for the firm as a law clerk. She has been practicing law for over 8 years and focuses primarily on elder law, Medicaid planning and asset preservation, and probate matters.
In her spare time, Jessica often speaks at assisted living facilities, senior centers, various support group meetings, and other venues to educate seniors and their families about the benefits available to them to assist with the high costs of long term care.
BIOGRAPHY OF JOSHUA D. WINGER
Joshua Winger practices law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. He is a member of the American, Maryland, D.C., Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County Bar Associations. Joshua received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Baltimore Law School in 2007, and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2004 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Joshua has been with the firm for over seven years, first as a law clerk and now as an attorney. Joshua has also worked for multiple trial judges and one appellate judge in the Maryland judiciary. At Byrd & Byrd, Joshua primarily handles litigation, probate and estate planning matters. Joshua has a strong desire to help others and has volunteered for multiple local outreaches, such as at the Stanton Center in Annapolis. He is married to his beautiful bride, Lindsay. Joshua is also a passionate fan of soccer and the arts.
BIOGRAPHY OF BRIAN W. RITTER, JR.
Brian Ritter is licensed to practice law in Maryland. He received his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law in May 2011 where he graduated magna cum laude. Prior to going to law school, he attended the University of South Carolina where he graduated magna cum laude with a bachelors degree in political science and a minor in criminal justice. Brian is a member of the Maryland Bar Association, as well as a member of the James Cawood Inn of Court in Annapolis, Maryland.
At Byrd and Byrd, Brian focuses his practice on elder law and estate/probate matters, while also being involved in the firm’s litigation practice. Prior to coming to Byrd and Byrd, Brian worked for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the appeals division, which is responsible for overseeing the Medicare fee-for-service appeals process. During law school, Brian also interned in the risk management and claims and litigation divisions of Johns Hopkins Hospital, Office of General Counsel. In his spare time, Brian enjoys traveling, playing and watching sports, and spending time with his wonderful wife, Stacey.
