Andrew Fontanella is an attorney, with offices in Baltimore and Lanham, Maryland. His practice provides general legal services in a variety of areas, with a particular concentration in consumer matters involving auto fraud, debt collection harassment, and bankruptcy. His firm also handles personal injury, criminal defense, motor vehicle infractions, family disputes, violations of wage and hour laws, employment discrimination and civil rights cases.

One of the things that has enriched his practice is his ability to speak Spanish and to sign ASL (American Sign Language).  This has allowed Mr. Fontanella to interact with many different cultures and communities, and to be a bridge for their access to the legal system.

Prior to forming the Law Office of Andrew Fontanella, Mr. Fontanella was a senior trial attorney at the firms of Fontanella & Benevento, in Totowa, New Jersey and Wiesenfeld & Dubin, P.C. in Rockville, Maryland.  As a senior trial attorney in those firms, he handles personal injury cases, criminal defense, consumer bankruptcy, family matters and real estate transactions. Mr. Fontanella has successfully litigated numerous cases in state and federal courts. He has frequently achieved favorable outcomes for his clients both in and out of court.

Mr. Fontanella received his Juris Doctor from Temple University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in English from Seton Hall University. He is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

From 1993 –1996, Mr. Fontanella entered a ministerial formation program with the Franciscans, where he fostered a love and appreciation for the Spanish and Deaf communities in various parts of the eastern United States. This period of formation also allowed him to experience a cultural and linguistic immersion program in Lima, Peru, which solidified his dedication to the linguistically challenged populations of the Baltimore and D.C. metropolitan areas.

As a member emeritus of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Language Minority Partnership, Inc. ( Proyecto Salud), Mr. Fontanella maintains his ongoing community involvement. He is also a member of various other important legal organizations including the Maryland State Bar Association, the Consumer Bankruptcy Committee, the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, and the National Association of Consumer Advocates.

Mr. Fontanella continues his language studies in American Sign Language. He is presently enrolled in the certificate program at the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) with plans to become fluent in ASL and a certified interpreter. 

Charles F. Holman, associated with the Law Office of Andrew Fontanella since October 2004, is a tough-minded, seasoned litigator with nearly 25 years experience.  For ten years he served as a highly effective federal prosecutor and now brings that passion, determination and know-how to defending persons charged with felony, misdemeanor and traffic offenses. Mr. Holman also handles family law (divorces and child custody), personal injury, civil rights and employment law.

A past member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, Mr. Holman represents both individual/plaintiffs and defendants in employment and housing discrimination cases. He previously served as a senior trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division and as a civil rights trial attorney at the U.S. EEOC. 

Mr. Holman also headed a local/state government agency which enforced civil rights laws in housing, education, public accommodations and employment.  During his tenure, Mr. Holman set records for winning more for discrimination victims than any previous time in the agency’s history.  Mr. Holman is licensed in Maryland and the District of Columbia.