The Elville Center for the Creative Arts Continues to Grow, Offers Children Opportunities to Explore Music

June 04, 2015 · 3 min read

By: Jeffrey Stauffer, Director, The Elville Center for the Creative Arts 443-393-7696, jeff@elvilleassociates.com Since its inception in mid-2014, The Elville Center for the Creative Arts, the firm’s 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, has partnered with local and regional businesses such as Music and Arts, WBJC 91.5 FM, and recently The Columbia Orchestra and local schools to provide musical instruments, musical instrument rental, music lessons, and participation in music-related activities to and for children of all ages throughout Maryland. The purpose of the Elville Center is to improve the quality of life of children of all ages by providing them the opportunity to learn music theory and application, experience cultural events related to the musical and creative arts, and to use music and the promotion of music-related activities to transcend social and economic divisions. Over the months, generous donors have provided instruments ranging from clarinets to violins, flutes to cellos, trumpets to guitars and even a rare Hawaiian ukulele and African flute. The Elville Center then takes these instruments to its Music & Arts Center partner and pays for their refurbishment so students receive an instrument in excellent condition that The Elville Center is proud to deliver and the students are excited to play. On January 13th, Stephen R. Elville, President and Founder of The Elville Center, met with the administration and teachers of Benjamin Tasker Middle School to provide the first flight of musical instruments and music supplies to the school’s students and music department. Plans are underway for future instrument donations as well as providing assistance for the school’s spring musical. “I hope this event sparks the imaginations of other donors,” remarked Mr. Elville. “We are looking forward to continuing the project of re-equipping the Music Department at Benjamin Tasker and addressing the needs of music students throughout the region." In March, The Elville Center partnered with The Columbia Orchestra to sponsor the purchase of 30 tickets for children to attend its popular Young People’s Concert Series. The program included a “Carnival of the Animals,” which featured a combination of music and dance as well as “The Thrill of the Orchestra,” which introduced children to the various instruments and music from the hit Disney movie “Frozen.” In between the performances, students were given the opportunity to participate in a musical instrument petting zoo where they could touch and try to play the various instruments In addition to individual and corporate donations, Elville and Associates contributes its own corporate funds to the Elville Center. It is the hope of Mr. Elville that this charitable initiative will continue to capture the imaginations and enthusiasm of our clients, business partners, and the community at large and will continue to grow in scope, culminating in the fulfillment of many dreams and a continuation of the music. If you are interested in The Elville Center For The Creative Arts and would like to learn more, or if you would like to make a donation or pledge, please contact Jeff Stauffer at 443-393-7696 or via email at jeff@elvilleassociates.com. Personal meetings with Mr. Elville for discussion of The Elville Center are available upon request.

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Jan 26, 2026 in News

Elville and Associates Announces Practice Group Leadership Promotion

At Elville and Associates, delivering consistent, high-quality service to our clients depends on strong leadership and coordination behind the scenes. We are proud to announce that Vonda Dubard has been promoted to Practice Group Manager at Elville and Associates. In this role, Vonda helps lead and coordinate the firm’s core practice groups—ensuring attorneys and staff work seamlessly together, workflows are efficient, and every client receives thoughtful, organized estate planning and elder law services. Practice groups play a critical role in supporting complex planning, maintaining quality standards, and guiding matters smoothly from start to finish. Vonda’s deep knowledge of the firm, steady leadership, and commitment to exceptional client service make her exceptionally well suited for this position. Her promotion reflects both her professional skill and the trust she has earned from colleagues and clients alike. Please join us in congratulating Vonda on this well-deserved achievement!

Jan 16, 2025 in News

Elville and Associates’ Managing Principal Stephen R. Elville and Principal Attorneys Shannon Goodwin and Shannon Ladner Named to 2025 Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List, Respectively

Authored by: Jeffrey D. Stauffer – Community Relations Director Stephen Elville, Managing Principal and Lead Attorney of Elville and Associates, P.C., has been selected to the 2025 Maryland Super Lawyers List. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. This is Mr. Elville’s 10th year being named to the Maryland Super Lawyers List and ninth consecutive year as well. Mr. Elville works with individuals and families to provide a unique attorney-client experience and peace of mind solutions to the challenges they face with estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, asset protection, tax planning matters, and more. Mr. Elville has extensive experience in working with clients involved in crisis situations, and also brings a unique and personalized approach to pre-crisis planning. Along with his work in the aforementioned areas, Mr. Elville’s maintains a focus in the areas of asset protection, tax planning, and disability and long-term care planning as well. He is widely regarded as one of the preeminent attorneys in the State of Maryland and beyond for his legal-technical knowledge and ability to navigate many different types of legal matters for clients. He is a seasoned speaker and educator, and each year presents by way of dozens of webinars, workshops for businesses and their employees, conferences, and continuing education events. Mr. Elville is currently a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Elder Counsel, Wealth Counsel, the Academy of Special Needs Planners, and the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys. He is the past Chair of the Howard County Bar Association Estates & Trusts and Elder Law Sections and is the past President of the Coalition of Geriatric Services (COGS). Mr. Elville has also served as Chair of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section Council of the Maryland State Bar Association and was the longtime Chair for Law Day Maryland. Recently, Mr. Elville served as the Chair of the Pro Bono Subcommittee of the Elder Law Disability Rights Section Council. He is also the President of the Friends of Baltimore Classical Music, Inc., and is the Founder of the Elville Center for the Creative Arts, Inc., a non-profit organization developed in 2014 that works to further music education in schools and other organizations that have student musicians with limited means. Shannon Goodwin, a Principal Attorney with Elville and Associates, was named to the Rising Stars List for a second consecutive year in 2025. She is the Leader of the firm’s busy Estate and Trust Administration Department, and has quickly shown the scope and depth of her talents and abilities in the complex world of estates and trusts. Through her guidance, she partners with clients as they address the sometimes challenging matters of the administration of loved ones’ estates from start to finish, including helping navigate the probate process, inventory and reportings, accountings, and much more. After her undergraduate work at North Carolina State University, Ms. Goodwin participated in multiple internships and externships and went on to distinguish herself as a member of the Syracuse Law Review. Upon graduating from law school, Shannon gained valuable experience by working as a Judicial Law Clerk for three years in the Circuit Court for Washington County, as well as in the District Court for both Washington and Frederick Counties. Shannon then transitioned to private practice and joined Elville and Associates in 2021. Shannon Ladner, also a Principal Attorney with Elville and Associates, was named to the Rising Stars List for a third consecutive year in 2025. She is an integral member and Leader of the firm’s Estate Planning Department. She educates and counsels clients through the entire estate planning process – beginning with the initial consultation, followed by the design and implementation of their plans, as well as the necessary maintenance and updating of their planning as changes occur in the laws and their lives. Ms. Ladner’s practice focus includes estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, and tax planning. During law school, Ms. Ladner participated in the Human Trafficking Prevention Project Clinic where she diligently represented victims of human trafficking as a Rule 19 Student Attorney. Upon obtaining her Juris Doctor, Ms. Ladner gained valuable experience by working as a Judicial Law Clerk for Magistrates Susan M. Marzetta and Lori Joy Eisner in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Prior to bringing her skills to Elville and Associates, Ms. Ladner worked as an Associate Attorney at a small law firm in Towson, Maryland where she represented clients in Family Law and Criminal Law matters. To learn more about this year’s honorees and the entire team at Elville and Associates, please click here. To learn more about Elville and Associates, its practice areas, its commitment to client education, and events calendar, please visit www.elvilleassociates.com. Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Super Lawyers Magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in the practice of law. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com. #elvilleeducation

Elville and Associates Montgomery County Rockville

Jul 01, 2024 in News

Elville and Associates, P.C. Opens New Montgomery County Office in Rockville

Authored by: Stephen Elville – Managing Principal and Lead Attorney – Elville and Associates, P.C. After nearly 25 years of serving residents of Montgomery County at its former Rockville and Pike and Rose locations, I’m proud to announce the opening of Elville and Associates’ new permanent Montgomery County office at 1700 Rockville Pike, Suite 530, Rockville - serving Rockville, Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and all of Montgomery County. Montgomery County is a dynamic setting for business and government, and a diverse population with continuous and growing needs for comprehensive and contemporary estate and other related planning. Montgomery County remains largely underserved in Elder Law, now a burgeoning area of law affecting nearly all individuals and families. Elville and Associates is both proud and privileged to serve this great community and County, and to be a Member of the Bar Association of Montgomery County. If you are a community leader, nonprofit organizer, financial advisor, CPA, insurance professional, Aging LifeCare Manager, firefighter or police officer, or other collaborative professional; or, if you know someone who is in need of client care-focused, education-based estate planning, elder law planning, special needs planning, or business related planning, we invite you to contact us. We look forward to meeting you as Elville and Associates continues to serve those who make Montgomery County great. You can reach me, Stephen R. Elville, J.D., LL.M., at 443-393-7696 x108, or at steve@elvilleassociates.com. You can also reach Lillian Hummel, our Principal Attorney at the new Montgomery County office, at 240-583-7990 x201, or at Lilly@elvilleassociates.com. Or, send us a general message here. Elville and Associates, P.C. - Planning for Life, Planning for Legacies. What’s your Plan? What’s your Legacy?