Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico & Cardea practice expands
Delaware law firm Baird Mandalas Brockstedt LLC announced May 31 it will now operate under the name Baird Mandalas Brockstedt Federico & Cardea.
The new name results from a Baltimore expansion that adds six attorneys and grows the firm’s medical malpractice, mass torts and class-action practice to one of the largest in the Mid-Atlantic. The firm expands to include named partners Philip C. Federico and James D. Cardea, who for the last 30 years have achieved some of the largest and most consequential medical malpractice verdicts and settlements in Maryland, in addition to prosecuting mass tort cases related to environmental contamination, sexual abuse, and the representation of government entities involving the opioid and vaping epidemics.
Federico, one of Maryland’s most acclaimed medical malpractice litigators for over 30 years, transitioned to litigating mass torts nearly 10 years ago. His partnership with Brockstedt dates back to 2009, when they served on a team that obtained a $123 million settlement for sexual abuse victims of Delaware pediatrician Earl Bradley. Federico and Brockstedt teamed up again in 2017 on a landmark environmental case against chicken-processing giant Mountaire that was resolved in 2021 for $205 million. The pair is currently co-lead counsel in a class action against South Carolina paper mill New-Indy for its environmental contamination.
After working alongside Federico since 2000 at one of the most successful medical malpractice firms in Maryland, James Cardea will now lead BMBFC’s medical malpractice team. Cardea has successfully served as lead trial counsel in hundreds of medical malpractice cases before juries throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C., that have resulted in numerous seven-figure jury verdicts and settlements. Also joining Federico and Cardea at BMBFC are partners Brent Ceryes, A. Wray Fitch IV and Tara Clary, and associate Matthew P. Legg.
“With our similar philosophies, complementary practice strengths and forward-thinking mindsets, it was an easy decision and a natural next step to officially join forces after years of collaboration,” said Kevin Baird, BMBFC managing partner. “We are excited about how adding this tremendous team of litigators, led by Phil and Jim, will strengthen our firm and advocacy in Delaware, Maryland and nationwide.
With this expansion, BMBFC will now have Delaware offices in Dover, Wilmington, Lewes and Georgetown, and a Maryland office in Baltimore. The firm will continue its established practices in personal injury, employment law, business and corporate law, real estate law, and estates and trusts, with significant expansions to its medical malpractice, environmental law, mass torts and class-action practices.
“I’m thrilled to be joining this growing team of passionate, distinguished litigators,” said Cardea. “Our combined skills and expertise will ensure we continue to provide exceptional results for all of our clients.”
“We have experienced enormous success together over the past decade, and our team could not pass up the opportunity to further grow our practice with this group of attorneys for which we have a great deal of respect,” said Federico. “We are very much looking forward to this new chapter and the continuation of that success.”
For more information, go to bmbde.com.
