Columbia, Maryland is an unincorporated city that was the brain child of James Rouse, founder and chief executive officer of the Rouse Company. In the mid 1960s, he envisioned a bright future for a well planned community mid way between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. Columbia and Ellicott City are the major population centers of Howard County. Columbia, Maryland residents enjoy a high quality of life. Its schools are a part of the Howard County Public School System. Residents have a high level of educational attainment and income. Money Magazine ranked Columbia and Ellicott City as 4th in “America’s Best Places to Live”. Columbia’s population of 97,200 is the largest of any census designated location in Maryland. It has a history of being inclusive and welcoming to diversified populations.

Robert L. Flanagan first opened his law practice in Columbia, Maryland in 1987. He moved his law practice from downtown Baltimore after being elected in 1986 to the Maryland House of Delegates, a part time position that allowed him to continue his law practice. Major portions of Columbia were a part of the legislative district he represented for 16 years. As Maryland Secretary of Transportation, he joined Governor Robert Ehrlich in 2006 in naming the portion of Maryland Route 175 that runs through Columbia, “Rouse Parkway” after its founder.

Robert L. Flanagan has assisted many Columbia individuals and businesses in resolving their legal problems. In the course of 28 years as a lawyer, he has developed a variety of skill sets valuable to his clients. He is a seasoned litigator who has a reputation for effectively and efficiently representing his clients in complex lawsuits. He has a proven track record in achieving excellent results in matters diverse as litigation arising from the savings and loan scandal of the 1980s, business and construction disputes, custody and visitation battles and divorces involving business and property issues.

Robert L. Flanagan is a skilled negotiator who strives to resolves disputes for his clients in order to assist them in managing the cost of litigation and risk. For businesses the cost of litigation may include diversion of business resources that must be devoted to litigation; for individuals it includes the emotional upheaval that may result. Robert L. Flanagan also assists his clients in reviewing and/or preparing contracts and other business documents. His experience as a litigator is helpful in selecting contract language that will protect his clients’ rights and avoid misunderstandings that might lead to future litigation.