Evelyn O. A. Darden, Founder, Principal and Managing Partner
 Over the past twenty-seven years, Evelyn O. A. Darden has handled a diverse field of cases including business and commercial matters, as well as civil and criminal matters on the federal and state level. Mrs. Darden has also served as lead counsel in a number of complex cases. She maintains a particular interest in drafting and negotiation of contracts and related instruments. Her practice still includes criminal and civil litigation and general practice matters. In recent years, she has gained recognition for her involvement in several major civil litigation matters in the State of Maryland against both private and public defendants.
Ms. Darden, a resident of Western Howard County and a native of Annapolis, Maryland, is the founder of Addison-Darden and is a principal and managing partner in the firm . She completed the Harvard Law School Institute for Lawyers with a special emphasis and training in the areas of Class Action Torts and Constitution Law . She is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law and Morgan State University . Additionally, Mrs. Darden has served on various boards and organizations, including the Board of Directors of the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County . She is also very active in her community and church.
Maryland Trial Lawyers Association
gained a two term position as Governor on the Board of Governors for the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association
served on the Legislative Committee
instrumental in the lobbying efforts in Annapolis , Maryland which resulted in the repeal of the Parent-Child Immunity Law in Maryland
Accomplishments
honored as the "Outstanding Business Woman of the Year" by the Annapolis Business and Professional Women ABPW)
presented the "Employer of the Year" award at The Governor's Mansion
served as a Commissioner for the Howard County Human Relations
recipient of the Maryland Trial Lawyers Of The Year Award 2003
ChildCare 2020
named International Director of Child Care 2020, a project of the Miracle Rock Foundation in Accra, Ghana
designated General Counsel for the National African Fellowship (NAF) a coalition of African ministers from various parts of the continent of Africa who are assigned as missionaries in major urban areas throughout the USA.
Mark A. Darden III, Principal
 Mark A. Darden III, began his legal career over fifteen years ago. Over the past several years he has handled a diverse field of cases including business and commercial matters, as well as civil, criminal, local and state matters. He serves as counsel to several business enterprises throughout the Greater Baltimore Area. He currently represents the firm as Co-Bond Counsel with Miles & Stockbridge, P.C. for all bond work required by Howard County government.
Mr. Darden has also gained a reputation in Anne Arundel County as the proponent of students' and teachers' civil rights . He was retained to represent one of the brutalized victims of the highly publicized "Maryland Boot Camps." As a result of one (1) initial client contact, he and his firm subsequently were named co-class counsel in the Class Action Boot Camp case against the State of Maryland.
Additionally, he continues to generate substantial revenues for the firm by resolving and winning several serious personal injury cases ranging from auto negligence to wrongful death cases .
Mr. Darden, a resident of Western Howard County is a principal in the firm of Addison-Darden and President of Trinity Title Co., Inc. He is a graduate of Howard University School of Law and of Hobart College in Geneva , New York.
Accomplishments and Affiliations
- named as a finalist for the Trial Lawyer Of The Year by Trial Lawyers For Public Justice
- named Trial Lawyer Of The Year by the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association
- nominated for the " Outstanding Alumnus Award " for Howard University
- appointed by the Anne Arundel County Executive to serve a second term on the advisory counsel for the Glen Burnie Town Center
- member of Leadership Anne Arundel, Class of 1998
- member and General Counsel to the NAACP, Anne Arundel County Branch.
- Received the NAACP Foot Soldier Award
- mediation facilitator for the Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County via the Anne Arundel County Settlement Program.
- member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity
- Past President of the Hobart College Alumni Association of Latino and African-American graduates.
- participated in several bicycle marathons and triathlons.
- assembled an All African-American National Lacrosse Team to participate in the Lacrosse Tournament in Lake Placid, New York
 Susan Fales Smith - Associate
Susan Fales Smith began her law career working for attorney Clayton Greene, Jr. On April 1, 1988 when the Law Offices of Addison-Darden opened its doors as a full time, full service law firm, Susan was there.
Upon acquiring her undergraduate degree, she left the firm and gained valuable experience with a large law firm in Baltimore City , Gallagher, Evelius & Jones, LLP, where she worked in their real estate transactions department and in their litigation department. Since her return to the Law Offices of Addison-Darden, Susan has been involved in several major civil litigation cases in the firm.
Ms. Fales Smith graduated Magna Cum Laude from Anne Arundel Community College with an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies. While gaining practical legal experieince, she matriculated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Jurisprudence and received the departmental award for excellence. She acquired her law degree from the University of Maryland Law School.
 Suzanne R. Mundella - Paralegal
"I know how I would want to be treated should I ever have to experience the death, serious injury or criminal trial of a family member. That is why I treat every client as a special person and not just a case number. It is a great feeling to obtain justice on their behalf and to know that you had a part in making a difference."
It is the vigilance and persistence of a trained Paralegal that makes the settlement and resolution of a case a reality for the client. Ms. Mundella began working with Addison-Darden in 1990 as a work -study student at Glen Burnie High School . She is pursuing her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. As a critical part of the law firm, she is proficient and knowledgeable regarding every case in our office and she makes sure that every case is processed smoothly and successfully, with close attention to critical deadlines and special procedures.
 Christal Wasmus - Secretary
Ms. Wasmus is the pleasant welcoming voice you will hear when you contact our office. She is a crucial assistant to the law office in many ways. For instance, she ensures that a thank you close-out letter is sent to each client and all folders are properly closed and stored in our storage facility for easy future retrieval, if needed.
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