Barbara Trader practices family law in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester Counties. Her practice covers all aspects of separation and divorce, as well as modification and enforcement of Court Orders. Ms. Trader also assists her clients in the areas of estate planning (wills, trusts, powers of attorney) and estate administration.

Ms. Trader attended Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland and Richmond College in London, England. She graduated cum laude from Washington College in 1976. After working in Oregon, New Jersey, Ocean City, Md., and Delaware, she moved to Baltimore to attend law school at the University of Baltimore. She graduated from law school with honors in 1984. After graduation, she worked as a law clerk for Judge James Couch of the Maryland Court of Appeals for one year. She was then selected for the Honors Attorney program at the United States Department of Justice. She worked in the Environmental and Occupational Disease Litigation Unit of the Justice Department in Washington D.C. for one year before returning to the Eastern Shore.

On the shore, she began as an associate in the law firm of Adkins, Potts & Smethurst. She developed a concentration in family law issues and she became a partner in that firm in 1995. A couple of months later, she formed her own firm, Barbara R. Trader, P.A.

Most of her practice focuses on assisting her clients through the separation and divorce process. Some clients consult with her prior to separation. This consultation can be very helpful in planning the separation. Many clients do not visit her until after the physical separation has begun, and at that time she works with them in an initial consultation in order to develop a strategy for proceeding through the divorce. Other clients first visit her after one party or the other has obtained a Protective Order against Domestic Violence. She also counsels clients after their divorce when enforcement of the Judgement of Divorce is needed or when modification of the original Order is sought. For information on these specific areas of the law, check with the Practice Areas of this site.

Ms. Trader is in the office Monday to Friday, from approximately 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Appointments are available between 9:30 and 4:30. She is active in the community and currently serves as President of the Worcester County Historical Society and the Worcester County Commission for Women. She is a past member of the Maryland Commission for Women and she has formed a 501(c)(3) organization for the fundraising arms of both Commissions. She is an active member of Bates United Methodist Church in Snow Hill.

Ms. Trader has served on the Maryland State Bar Association Family Law Section Council. She is a member of the Maryland Bar Association, President of the Wicomico County Bar Association, and Past-President and member of the Easte Shore Women's Bar Association. She has authored articles on home ownership and on asbestos litigation. Ms. Trader also serves as counsel for children when appointed by the Court.