Meet The Team

We Would Love To Add Your Case To Our Long List Of Success Stories.

Beverly Winstead, Esq.
Tax Attorney, Business Leader, Athlete and Speaker
Beverly Winstead, Esq., is an accomplished and award-winning tax attorney, law professor, philanthropist, and public speaker, bringing unmatched legal experience and a persistent focus on creating positive financial outcomes for her clients. Her tenacity on the court led to her induction into the Sports Hall of Fame at her University. That tenacity aids her in resolving disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax agencies and helps her reduce – sometimes even eliminate – her clients’ tax debts. The firm provides counsel for individuals, corporations, and nonprofits; handles litigation in the U.S. Tax Court and in Maryland courts for civil tax matters. She also offers legal services in negotiations, settlements, assessments, and client counseling. Beyond tax resolution, Ms. Winstead offers business structure advice, estate planning, and financial asset protection. She has served as director of the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where she is an adjunct law professor.

Michele Hallman
Attorney | Advocate | Strategist
Michele Hallman brings a wealth of legal expertise to her work in tax law and financial advisory. An accomplished trust attorney with a law degree from Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana, Michele is admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court. Her practice areas include trust law, where she has provided counsel to Fortune 50 financial services companies such as Citicorp, Wells Fargo, and US Trust.
Ms. Hallman’s legal career, spanning over two decades, also includes serving as a litigator and labor negotiator for the District of Columbia Government, experiences that have honed her negotiation skills and commitment to equity and fairness. Her client portfolio is diverse, representing individuals, business owners, tax return preparers, and trust beneficiaries in all tax controversy matters. Her unique blend of skills are an asset to the businesses she works with, guiding them through the intricacies of board governance by aligning legal compliance with strategic objectives.
When not advocating for her clients, Michele enjoys volunteering in her community and spending time with her family.

Lourdes S. Eliacin Mars, M.A., Esq.
Associate Attorney | Advocate for Justice | International Affairs Specialist
Lourdes S. Eliacin Mars is a dedicated attorney and advocate with a passion for justice, equity, and community empowerment. As an Associate Attorney at The Law Office of Beverly Winstead, she provides comprehensive legal support to clients in tax law, estate planning, and business compliance. Her commitment to resolving tax controversies and crafting tailored estate plans underscores her focus on client-centric solutions.
Lourdes earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where she excelled as Manuscripts Editor for the Journal of Race, Religion, Gender, and Class. Her academic achievements are complemented by leadership roles, including serving as 2E Class Vice President and competing with the Thurgood Marshall National Trial Team.
Before embarking on her legal career, Lourdes cultivated a global perspective through her master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in international and global studies from the University of Central Florida, where she graduated cum laude. Her research on political violence in Haiti reflects a deep commitment to understanding and addressing systemic inequities.
In addition to her legal practice, Lourdes has an extensive background in grant writing and nonprofit leadership, having served with organizations like the Tahirih Justice Center and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. She is fluent in French and Haitian Creole and has in-country experience in Haiti, Venezuela, Indonesia, and Europe.
As a proud member of the Maryland State Bar Association and the National Bar Association, Lourdes is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession. Her multifaceted expertise and unwavering dedication to justice make her a trusted advocate and community leader.

Esa Abduraheem
Tax Accountant
Esa Abduraheem holds an LL.M. in Taxation from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, and a B.A. in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland College Park.
Esa was formerly employed with Deloitte in New York. With Deloitte, he specialized in high-value hedge funds and private equity funds, focusing on tax compliance and delivering tailored tax solutions. Esa’s professional journey also includes serving as a staff editor at the Tax Lawyer in Chicago, contributing to source and cite reviews. Furthermore, Esa has gained valuable experience as a law clerk at the Law Offices of Beverly Winstead, where he prepared tax planning memoranda, managed IRS controversies, and handled tax returns for businesses and individuals. Beyond his professional achievements, Esa has a strong commitment to community service, demonstrated by his role as a tax site manager at Cash Campaign of Maryland, where he oversaw the filing of tax returns for clients with incomes under $55,000, ensuring compliance with tax regulations.

Hanz Cadet
Staff Accountant
Hanz Cadet provides back-office support to our clients who may need help preparing financial statements, i.e., profit and loss statements, balance sheets and statements of cash flows. He has spent years as an accountant in financial services, hospitality, government, and sports and entertainment industries. He received a B.S. in Accounting from Florida A&M University, and is a licensed FIFA agent.

Trinity Horne
Administrative Assistant
Trinity Horne is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in English at Morgan State University. She is a passionate writer and a dedicated student.
She is pivotal in managing day-to-day office tasks, including scheduling appointments, answering phone calls and handling correspondence. She plays a key role in organizing and maintaining legal documents and case files, ensuring easy access and efficient workflow for our attorneys. Additionally, she often serves as our first point of contact with clients, providing initial assistance and directing inquiries, thereby contributing to our professional and efficient service.

Ryan Morris
Paralegal
Ryan plays a crucial role in our law firm by assisting attorneys in the preparation of legal documents, such as contracts, wills, and pleadings. He provides support with tax preparation and assists attorneys in the preparation of legal documents, i.e., wills, trusts, and other pleadings. He also conducts thorough legal research and gathers relevant information to support cases, ensuring that all findings are accurately documented and organized. Additionally, he also interacts with clients, manages communication and helps to clarify legal procedures, which are essential in maintaining effective client relations and the smooth operation of the firm.
Ryan is currently pursuing B.S. in Accounting at Morgan State University. He is a licensed notary and a member of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA).

Brent Simpson
Senior Business Adviser
Brent Simpson is a serial entrepreneur, internationally sought-after speaker and growth strategist, creative problem-solver, venture capitalist, sales trainer and negotiations specialist. He loves working with entrepreneurs who have turned their passion into a business but realize they need additional executive-level brainpower. Making decisions on who to hire/fire, what platforms to market on and how to engage clients, when to expand, how to add revenue streams into the business can be overwhelming. Brent makes these decisions seem like second nature, while also making sure his entrepreneurs have a road map to success.

Charlotte Holmes
Office Manager
With over 25 years of experience in leadership, education, and administration, Charlotte Holmes brings a strong record of success in managing operations, improving organizational effectiveness, and leading teams to achieve exceptional results. She has served in various roles, including high school principal, district athletic director, teacher, and coach, where she developed a diverse skill set that seamlessly aligns with office management and executive leadership positions.
Throughout her career, Charlotte has demonstrated a deep commitment to excellence, whether it was increasing graduation rates from 67% to 84%, raising college application rates to over 95%, or establishing specialized academies to provide rigorous academic opportunities for students. She has a proven track record of improving organizational performance, fostering collaboration, and guiding teams to success. As District Assistant Athletic Director, she supported district administrators and ensured compliance with regulations while overseeing complex programs and initiatives.
Her expertise extends to administrative coaching, program implementation, and meeting facilitation, all of which have contributed to her success in high-level leadership roles. She is particularly skilled at communicating complex information to diverse stakeholders, ensuring smooth transitions, and driving strategic initiatives forward. With a recent Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UNC Greensboro, Charlotte is equipped with the latest insights in organizational management and leadership practices.
Charlotte has received multiple accolades for her leadership, including nominations for Principal of the Year, recognition as Piedmont Triad Signature School Award winner, and selection to the Central Region Teacher of the Year Selection Committee. She has also demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in all her roles, from coaching teams to implementing school-wide initiatives that transform student outcomes.
Charlotte is now excited to bring her administrative and leadership expertise to an office manager or executive role, where she can leverage her skills in program implementation, team coordination, and strategic decision-making to contribute to organizational success.