Top best H Lawyers in Bethesda | 97 available

Why I Devote My Law Practice To Helping People Who Get Hurt. My name is Bruce Blaylock, and I would like to tell you why my law practice is focused exclusively on helping people who get hurt.. My Background. I grew up in Bethesda, Maryland and moved to New Orleans to attend college at Tulane University. While studying for my undergraduate degree, I became a certified Emergency Medical Technician and worked in the Emergency Room of Touro Hospital in New Orleans.. My Experience As An Emergency Medical Technician Working In A Hospital Emergency Room. As a technician in the Emergency Room, I repeatedly saw up close how random acts of carelessness could result in tremendous pain, loss, and even death, to innocent people. I saw how enormously unfair it is for someone to become badly injured – or even killed – through absolutely no fault of their own.. Why Working In The Emergency Room Made Me Want To Be A Lawyer. This experience in assisting with the emergency trauma care of seriously injured victims inspired me to become a lawyer. I wanted to help injury victims use the legal system to achieve justice. I wanted to help make sure that their voice gets heard.. What I Decided To Do Differently Than Other Personal Injury Lawyers. However, if I was going to be a personal injury lawyer, I wanted to do something that would set my law practice apart from the crowd. I did not like the reputation that a lot of personal injury lawyers had and I found their television commercials, billboards, and yellow pages advertisements distasteful.. The Promise I Made: I Would NEVER Advertise In The Media. As a result, when I started my law practice in 1983, I made a promise that I would never advertise in the media. That meant no television commercials, no tacky billboards, no yellow pages advertisements and no other media advertising that would ever be in any way associated with my practice.. Getting New Cases The Old Fashion Way. I was determined to build my law practice the old fashion – working hard on every case and relying completely on word of mouth referrals.. Why You Want To Know This. Building a law practice by word of mouth is a much harder thing to do than building a practice by advertising. It means that your next generation of clients is NOT going to come from someone seeing some slick advertisement somewhere. It means that your next generation of clients is going to come exclusively from how you perform on your current cases. If you do good work, your current clients will tell their friends and loved ones about you. If you don’t, they won’t.. The Result. I now have been practicing law for over 30 years and have a very healthy law practice. During that entire time, I have been helping injury victims obtain the best possible financial recovery for their individual situations.. My Background Interest In Medicine Has Served My Clients well. Additionally, my background interest in medicine has turned out to be a major asset for my clients. Why? Because the practice of law is all about communication – whether it is to a judge, a jury, an insurance adjuster or a client. My emergency room experience has given me the ability to communicate the specific medical components of each individual case into language which explains the mechanics of an injury as well as the impact it can have on a person’s quality of life. That is essential in obtaining justice for an injury victim.. If you or a loved one needs help, give me a call. Let us know about your situation by calling us toll free or by completing our online form.

Susan Berry Bloomfield is an attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland who represents hospitals, nursing homes, senior care facilities and individuals in connection with guardianship matters, contract and payment disputes, estate claims, privileges disputes, third-party subpoenas, administrative discharge proceedings and civil litigation.. Susan’s extensive guardianship experience includes serving as Petitioner’s counsel in more than 200 cases filed in the state courts of Maryland and in the District of Columbia. She also provides advice and counsel in other patient care matters where guardianship has been under consideration.. Well prepared and organized, Susan’s approach to each case reflects her thoughtful manner and genuine concern for her clients. She strives for consensus whenever possible and has developed strong working relationships with representatives from the Montgomery and Prince George’s County Public Guardianship Programs and other guardianship counsel.. In the area of general civil litigation, Susan has handled a wide range of matters, including business, contract, community association, real property and employment disputes. She is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia, the U.S. District Courts for the District of Maryland and District of Columbia, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.. Susan is a frequent presenter at seminars on elder care and guardianship issues at forums sponsored by local and state bar associations as well as other organizations.. The Nashville, Tenn., native attended Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., where she received her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude. Susan earned her Juris Doctor, with honors, from the George Washington University National Law Center.. Susan, who lives near Annapolis, Md., enjoys exploring the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries by boat. She is active in her daughter’s school, and is a board member of the Columbia Figure Skating Club, serving as publicity co-chair for its annual “Nutcracker on Ice” and spring shows.

Strategic, principled and cost-effective family law attorney.

Stan Reed is a high profile litigator who represents individuals and corporations in complex civil and employment litigation and white-collar criminal defense work, as well as lawyers and health care providers in professional responsibility matters and investigations in Maryland and the District of Columbia. He also is noted for his adept handling of politically sensitive cases, grand jury investigations, and parallel proceedings.. Leading legal guide Chambers USA describes Stan as a “grandmaster strategist,” highlighting his "intuitive sense of the types of argument that will resonate with juries and judges," as well as his "superb presentation and demeanor in trial." In addition to his significant legal talent, clients note that he is “100% committed to [their] best interests” and that they “could not have chosen anyone better [because Stan has] always made us feel very important, as if we were the only ones needing assistance or help.”. He is one of just a handful of attorneys in Maryland recognized for excellence in litigation in multiple legal directories based on client and peer reviews. Chambers has named Stan a "Leader in His Field" in General Commercial Litigation every year since 2007. He also has been included in Best Lawyers in America each year since then. He is recognized in the fields of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Criminal Defense: Non-White-Collar, and Best Lawyers has twice named him Washington, DC’s Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law "Lawyer of the Year," most recently for 2018. Stan also has been listed as a top litigator in the Maryland, Washington, DC, and Business editions of Super Lawyers since 2008.. Stan was named one of "Washington's Top Trial Lawyers" by Washingtonian magazine in 2007, one of their "Elite Criminal Defenders" in 2009, a "Star of the Bar" for Crime and Punishment in 2011, and one of “Washington’s Top Legal Minds” for Criminal Defense in 2013. In 2015 and 2017, the magazine selected him as the only white-collar criminal attorney in Maryland in its "Top Lawyers" list.. Prior to joining Lerch Early in 1984, Stan gained extensive trial and appellate experience from his work in Public Defender's Offices in Vermont, Michigan, and the District of Columbia, and as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the District of Maryland. He also served as law clerk to the Honorable Harold H. Greene, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.. Outside the office, Stan bleeds Michigan blue and Washington Capitals red when his favorite sports teams compete.

Sigrid Haines is a health care and elder law attorney at Lerch, Early and Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland. She has earned a reputation as one of Maryland’s most respected health care attorneys for her representation of hospitals, medical and health-related foundations, health care systems, nursing homes, home health agencies, physicians and pharmacies. She also practices in the guardianship field.. Sigrid counsels hospitals on a broad range of legal matters, including contract disputes and negotiations; hospital privileges and credentials; patient care; policy, licensing, accreditation and regulatory matters; HIPAA issues; medical staff bylaws; and fraud and abuse investigations and litigation. She advises physicians on privileging and credentialing, licensing, payor issues, contracts and peer review activities.. Sigrid represents individuals and institutions in guardianship matters and has been appointed as guardian of property in a number of cases. For clients who are competent, but who recognize that they need assistance, she often serves as attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney to handle financial and health care needs based on her clients’ instructions. In fulfilling her duties to the court or to her clients, Sigrid works with both county and private social workers in order to provide the highest quality of life possible. In addition, she ensures that bills get paid and money is managed efficiently to meet the needs of her clients and wards.. Born in Fayetteville, N.Y., Sigrid graduated from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and earned her Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. A member of the Maryland, District of Columbia and New York bars, she brings valuable experience as a hospital management consultant to her law practice and is widely viewed as a sharp, watchful and compassionate advocate for her clients.. A former member of the Board of Governors of the Maryland State Bar Association, Sigrid has taken an active role its Health Law Section Council since 1993, including serving as the council’s chair, vice chair and secretary-treasurer. She is also a member of the American Health Lawyers Association.. Sigrid has been recognized in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America and the Maryland and D.C. editions of Super Lawyers in the area of health care. She also has an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell.. Sigrid is an avid cyclist who bikes throughout the world. Her most recent bike trips took her through Germany and South Dakota. She also is the proud owner of Harpo, a beautiful black horse.

Samantha H. Kravitz is an experienced family law attorney who handles cases involving divorce and separation, child custody, child support, spousal support/alimony, property division, prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, and the enforcement of court orders and agreements in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Her child custody practice often includes complex custody issues involving parents with mental health conditions, allegations of substance abuse, and children with special needs. She also has experience with cases involving complex compensation and business valuation issues. As a trained mediator, her law practice is largely focused on the settlement of cases outside of court through negotiation and the drafting of separation and settlement agreements, but her extensive trial experience in both Maryland and the District of Columbia serves her clients when litigation is necessary. Ms. Kravitz is also trained in Collaborative Law.. Ms. Kravitz has been listed as a “Top Attorney” in Family Law by Bethesda Magazine and as a “Rising Star” in both Maryland and Washington, DC Super Lawyers magazine. Prior to her work in family law, Ms. Kravitz served as a law clerk for the Honorable Lynne A. Battaglia on the Court of Appeals of Maryland. Before her clerkship, she was an associate at a large law firm in Washington, DC.. Ms. Kravitz serves her community by volunteering her time with various legal organizations, including the Whitman Walker Legal Clinic serving transgender and gender expansive adult and minor clients, and volunteering in the DC Family Court’s Self-Help Center and Attorney Negotiator programs. Ms. Kravitz has served as a judge for the Maryland State Bar Association Mock Trial Competition, and as pro bono counsel in numerous family law matters in Maryland and the District of Columbia.. While in law school, Ms. Kravitz served as Editor in Chief of the University of Maryland Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender and Class. She interned for the Honorable Michael J. Algeo on the Circuit Court for Montgomery County and served as a student lawyer at the National Association of the Deaf for which she received an Arc of Baltimore Award for Service. Ms. Kravitz also received the William P. Cunningham Award for exceptional achievement and service to the University of Maryland School of Law. Prior to pursuing her law degree, she worked in television news in Washington, DC, at CBS News and the local CBS affiliate, WUSA.

Neil S. Hyman is the founding Member of The Law Office of Neil S. Hyman, LLC, where he focuses his practice on employment-related litigation and regulatory matters. Neil regularly represents clients in federal and state trial and appellate courts and before the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and state and local agencies including the Maryland Commission on Human Rights and the Montgomery County Office of Human Relations.. Neil maintains an active counseling practice as well, working closely with clients to proactively avoid lawsuits by counseling and advising employers on their obligations under the various employment laws, drafting employee handbooks, executive contracts and non-competition agreements and conducting internal employment practices audits and investigations of alleged discrimination and other wrongdoing.  Neil also assists clients with I-9 compliance and audits.. Prior to founding the firm, Neil worked for several Montgomery County firms where he honed his litigation and employment law knowledge and practice.  That experience included assisting numerous employers in resolving FLSA and wage and hour disputes as well as obtaining significant settlement or awards on behalf of individuals for sexual harassment, ADA and wage and hour claims.  During that time, Neil also gained significant experience in general commercial litigation including representing homeowners in HOA disputes, shareholder disputes, business dissolution and real estate related matters.. Although he was born and raised in Greensboro, NC, Neil has long time ties to the Washington, DC metro area, having received his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland.  Neil obtained his law degree from University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.  Neil lives in Silver Spring with his wife, three children and dog.  His passions include soccer, basketball and spending time with his family at the beach.

Mr. Ogens serves as the Chairman of the Family Law Practice Group. Mr. Ogens’ practice as family law attorney is focused on the negotiation, settlement, and litigation of family law matters in Maryland and the District of Columbia. He handles a variety of divorce matters, including separation and divorce, annulment, alimony and child support issues and analysis, child custody and visitation issues, and the identification, valuation, classification, and division of marital and non-marital property. He also provides preparation and analysis of separation and property settlement agreements and prenuptial agreements. His experience as a family law attorney helps him serve as an effective mediator and arbitrator in family law disputes.

Michael P. Sinay is a principal of the firm and has a concentration in family law.Mr. Sinay handles all aspects of family law including divorce, custody, alimony, child support, property division, property settlement agreements, pre-nuptial agreements and domestic violence.  Mr. Sinay has vast trial experience and has tried cases in the Circuit and District Courts of Maryland and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.  He has also argued before the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland.  Mr. Sinay has successfully negotiated hundreds of cases to full and final settlement for his clients.  He is trained as a Best Interest Attorney (formerly Guardian Ad Litem) and a Child Privilege attorney, and is frequently appointed to represent minor children by the Circuit Court of Maryland.Mr. Sinay is admitted to practice law in Maryland (1994), the District of Columbia (1996) and the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (1995).. Law School: Ohio Northern University, J.D., 1993. Undergraduate: The Ohio State University, B.A., 1990. Memberships: Montgomery County Bar Association (Member, Family Law Section), Maryland Bar Association (Member, Family Law Section); American Bar Association; District of Columbia Bar Association.

Marc Feinberg concentrates in estate planning, probate and estate administration. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and was featured in Washingtonian Magazine’s Top Estate Planners, as well as The Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates, and Super Lawyers.Mr. Feinberg has been active in legal education and public speaking throughout his career in the areas of taxation, estate planning and retirement planning. He taught Estate and Gift Taxation at the Georgetown University Law Center for four years and has lectured widely to practicing lawyers, including American Law Institute-American Bar Association (ALI-ABA) courses, law school symposia, Bureau of National Affairs conferences, annual Tax Section meetings of the American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association meetings, and Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education for Lawyers (MICPEL) classes.Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Feinberg worked in the Estate and Gift Tax Division of the national office of the IRS for six years, where he authored IRS Publication 904 on Interrelated Computations for Estate and Gift Taxes. Mr. Feinberg received his B.A. in political science from Bucknell University in 1971; his J.D., with honors, from the George Washington University in 1974; and his LL.M. in taxation from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1980. He is admitted to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Larry Stern has thirty years of experience in the areas of estate planning and estate administration, and corporate, business and tax matters.. Mr. Stern provides a broad range of estate planning and estate administration services to executives, business owners and other individuals. He helps them develop and implement estate plans that enable them to transfer their assets to future generations while minimizing estate taxes and other costs, helping maintain family relationships and protecting inherited assets from divorce and creditors. He also frequently serves as a Trustee or Personal Representative to help families manage their estates and avoid family disputes.. Mr. Stern also represents a variety of closely-held business entities, including many professional practices and technology companies. He advises them on issues ranging from determining the appropriate choice of entity to various contract and tax issues that arise, works with them on preparing shareholders and buy-sell agreements and employment agreements, and assists them in the sale process.. Mr. Stern received his B.A. in economics from Yeshiva University in 1982, cum laude, and his J.D., with honors, from Georgetown University Law Center in 1985. He is active in many non-profit organizations. Mr. Stern is admitted to practice law in Maryland.

Joseph C. Paradiso is a principal and founding member of the firm. He has been practicing law since 1978, with a concentration in family law in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Mr. Paradiso is a Fellow of the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and is a certified Mediator and Arbitrator. The Circuit Court of Montgomery County and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia frequently appoint Mr. Paradiso as the ADR mediator for domestic relations cases and as a Best Interest Attorney, (formerly Guardian Ad Litem). Mr. Paradiso is a frequent lecturer on various domestic relations topics. He was named among the top Family Law attorneys in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area by Washingtonian Magazine in 2000, 2004, and 2009 and has been named as a top family law attorney by the Maryland and D.C. Super Lawyers Magazine.. Law School: George Mason University, J.D., 1978. Undergraduate: American University, B.A., 1972. Memberships: Montgomery County (Member, Family Law Section) and Maryland State Bar Associations; District of Columbia Bar (Member, Family Law Section). Biography: Staff Member, George Mason University Law Review, 1977-1978. Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Moderator, Montgomery County Bar Association Family Law Section Programs: "Advanced Trial Techniques" (1994), "Advanced Domestic Relations Program" (1995) and "Rethinking Joint Custody" (1996), "What is the Big Deal with Collaborative Law and Why Should You Care?" (2006). Lecturer: Rita Rosencrantz Basic Family Law Training Seminar, 1994-. Mediator, Montgomery County Circuit Court Family Division Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, 1997-. Panelist, Montgomery County Bar Association Family Law Section Programs: "Successful Negotiation Techniques" (1999) and "Winning on Exceptions" (2001). Faculty, Maryland Institute of Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers "Marital Property Workshop" (2004). Facilitator: Montgomery County Circuit Court Family Division Differentiated Case Management, 1997-; Facilitator, Montgomery County Circuit Court Family Division for Pendente Life Issues, 1998. Reported Cases: Clark v. Clark, 485 A.2d 621 (DC App. 1984); Rogers v. Rogers, 565 A.2d 361 (Md. App. 1989); Das v. Das, 754 A.2d 441 (Md.App. 2000)

Jessica Markham practices all aspects of family law in Maryland and Washington, D.C. She has trial experience in Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Baltimore County and Washington D.C. courts and is also trained in Collaborative Law. Ms. Markham also handles guardianship matters and is frequently appointed by the Court as an attorney for Allegedly Disabled Adults and as Guardian of the Property. Ms. Markham has also been appointed by the court in Family Law matters as a Child Privilege attorney and a Best Interest Attorney (formerly Guardian Ad Litem).. Ms. Markham is the author of the American Bar Association book published March 2021, entitled “Representing Federal Employees and Their Spouses in Divorce: A Practical Guide.”. Ms. Markham also has an active mediation practice, helping parties to resolve both custody and divorce/property disputes as a neutral. Ms. Markham frequently serves as a court appointed custody mediator in the Montgomery County Circuit Court Child Custody/Access Mediation Program and as an Attorney-Facilitator through Montgomery County Circuit Court, Family Division Services. Ms. Markham has been approved by the Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts as a Circuit Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Practitioner mediator and serves on the roster of court-approved divorce/property mediators in Montgomery County. Ms. Markham also previously mediated in the Family Mediation Program, Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division of the DC Superior Court and in 2015 she participated in a study through the National Institute of Justice and Indiana University Maurer School of Law, mediating cases with parties reporting a high incidence of Interpersonal Violence, utilizing both shuttle and video-conferencing methods. Ms. Markham is also on the Court-Approved roster of ADR Facilitators in the DC Superior Court.. In 2018, 2019 and 2020 Ms. Markham was recognized by her peers for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America"© in the field of Family Law, for the Washington D.C. Area. The entire firm was ranked in the category of Best Family Law Firm in 2019 and 2020. Best Lawyers is a purely peer review publication.. Ms. Markham served on the Montgomery County Commission for Juvenile Justice, having been appointed by County Executive Ike Leggett and confirmed by the County Council in 2015.. Ms. Markham is honored to have been selected as a Daily Record 2016 Leading Woman. The Daily Record's Leading Women awards honor 50 women who are 40 years of age or younger for their accomplishments in their careers so far. A panel of previous winners selected the honorees based on their professional experience, community involvement and commitment to inspiring change.. Ms. Markham is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. The Fellows comprise a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession and to the welfare of their communities. Established in 1955, Fellows support the research of the American Bar Foundation.. Ms. Markham has also received a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating of AV Preeminent in the field of Family Law. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings are ratings by legal peers reflecting Very High General Ethical Standards and Legal Ability (including Legal Knowledge, Analytical Capabilities, Judgment, Communication Ability and Legal Experience). In addition, Ms. Markham has been selected for inclusion as a "Rising Star" by Maryland SuperLawyers Magazine (2011-2019) and Washington DC SuperLawyers Magazine (2013-2019).. Since 2013, Ms. Markham has had the pleasure to serve as a Judge of various local mock trial competitions, including the Maryland State Bar Association Mock Trial Competition, George Washington University Mock Trial invitational and the American Law School invitational.. In law school Ms. Markham served as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Legal Intern for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office where she focused on prosecution of juvenile misdemeanor and felony crimes.. Prior to the formation of the Markham Law Firm, Ms. Markham was an associate and then a principal in one of the area's top boutique family law firms.. Ms. Markham has volunteered her time with numerous legal organizations including Wills for Heroes and the Whitman-Walker Legal serving transgender and gender expansive adult and minor clients.. Honors & Awards:. Speaking Engagements/CLEs: Dividing Retirement Assets: From Private Employer Plans to Federal Pensions (American Bar Association, October 2020); Navigating Online ADR: Family Topics (Maryland Judiciary Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office, May 2020); Online Dispute Resolution- Moving Your Mediation Practice Online (Montgomery County Bar Association, April 2020); Retirement and Pension Benefits Issues – Federal, State, and Military (Montgomery County Bar Association, February 2020); Quick to Caucus (American Bar Association, April 2019; Montgomery County Bar Association, 2020); What the Heck is a QDRO and Why Do I Need One? (Montgomery County Bar Association, October 2016); Tips and Tricks for Drafting Retirement Provisions in Property Settlement Agreements (Montgomery County Bar Association, 2016); Litigating a Child Custody Case (Montgomery County Bar Association, 2016); The Legal Process of Separation and Divorce in Montgomery County (Montgomery County Women's Commission, 2012, 2015).. Bar Association, Professional Memberships: Solo/Small Firm Section Chair (Montgomery County Bar); Racial Justice Council, Community Outreach Committee (Montgomery County Bar); MSBA Membership and Content Committee; Montgomery County Bar Association (Member, Family Law Section); Women's Bar Association of Montgomery County (Treasurer 2014-2016, Board Member at Large 2016-2018); Maryland State Bar Association, Inc. (Member, Sections on: Family Law; Juvenile Law); DC Bar (Member, Family Law Section); Former Barrister Member, Montgomery County Inn of Court.

I graduated first in my class from law school and thereafter clerked for a federal judge, joined the Washington office of a prestigious New York law firm and then became a federal prosecutor in the District of Columbia where I tried numerous criminal cases.  Thereafter I became general counsel to a New York Stock Exchange REIT, where I worked for 14 years.  I returned to law school at night, studying to become an estate planner and opened my own practice in 1998. I am a solo practitioner and enjoy helping my clients with their estate planning needs, which include trust preparation and administration and some estate tax planning.

Franchise attorney with 22 years of experience counseling and franchisees at all stages of their businesses.  Brian routinely assists clients during the licensing and franchise/FDD review process, as well as with the resolution of franchise-related disputes, including those involving terminations, territorial disputes, fraud, disclosure/relationship law violations and breaches of contract. Offit Kurman, P.A is a full service law firm and its broad range of services mean Brian can handle all of his clients’ legal needs, whatever they may be.

Cindi Cohen is a real estate and commercial lending attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland. Her practice is focused in the fields of real estate transactions, including leasing and acquisitions and dispositions, general business transactions, financing, foreclosures and general lender representation.. In the area of real estate transactions, Cindi represents clients – who range from developers to small businesses to luxury automobile dealers – with a diverse spectrum of legal issues and goals, for which she provides advice and guidance. As leasing counsel, she helps landlords and tenants in the preparation and negotiation of commercial leases throughout the region. She also serves as title agent for national title companies in various multimillion-dollar acquisition and loan transactions, and represents sellers and buyers in the purchase and sale of commercial real estate.. Described by clients and peers as creative, smart and practical, Cindi is a member of the Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia bars, and practices actively in all three jurisdictions.. Additionally, Cindi has significant foreclosure experience, serving as trustee and conducting commercial foreclosures in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia.. Cindi received her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Middlebury College and her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. She joined Lerch Early in 1981.. Cindi made her television debut in 1995 as a contestant on "America's Favorite Quiz Show," Jeopardy. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and exploring the world’s wines as an avid oenophile.

Bethesda, MD based family lawyer for 20+ years.. After completing a judicial clerkship in 1995, I opened my own law office in Rockville, MD. Since then, I've enjoyed practicing law in small firms but I always return to the flexibilty of my own practice, where I may choose to take a case and help a client I couldn't help if I was practicing at a bigger law firm.. I represent clients throughout Maryland and in Virginia and Washington, D.C. on a pro hac vice basis. Although I take other types of cases, the bulk of my practice is divorce-related and includes litigation and mediation related to issues including, but not limited to: alimony, child support, contempt, custody, equitable distribution, division of retirement assets, modification and other post-judgment litigation.  I also handle civil litigation arising from other practice areas including guardianship and personal injury. I live in Arlington, VA with my wife and three children.

After leaving my position as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia over twenty-seven years ago, I focused my legal practice on defending nursing home providers in malpractice lawsuits here in the D.C. area and across the country.  In doing so, I learned in great detail not only how those cases are prosecuted and defended, but also how plaintiff's counsel and providers evaluate them for settlement purposes.  My extensive experience in defending nursing home cases proved to be one of my strongest assets once I began representing plaintiffs in those cases, as I now routinely do.. My goal in litigating any case is to evaluate it as quickly as possible in order to determine whether it can be resolved early on in a manner that makes sense for both sides.  This approach promotes closure for all parties and reduces the often wasteful and unnecessary fees and costs involved in protracted litigation.  If early resolution of a case is not possible, I welcome the opportunity to try it to verdict before a jury or arbitration panel.  My most recent nursing home jury trial resulted in a satisfactory settlement for my client just prior to the closing arguments.  My most recent nursing home arbitration resulted in an award totally in my client's favor after opposing counsel steadfastly refused to engage in meaningful settlement discussions.. Given my strong belief in the benefits of early dispute resolution, I have completed the arbitration and mediation training programs sponsored by the American Health Lawyer's Association ("AHLA").  I served as an arbitrator in a Florida nursing home dispute this past spring and look forward to doing so again this fall.. Before I went to law school, I worked as house painter, a laborer on gas pipelines and concrete crews, a carpenter, and a roughneck on an oil rig.  I believe that that  background, together with my educational and professional experience, has helped me to appreciate and relate to clients and jurors from all walks of life.. Picking the right lawyer to represent you in a significant lawsuit may be one of the most important decisions that you will ever have to make.  For that reason, you should take the time to get to know your prospective counsel and to make sure that he or she is the best fit for you.  In order to assist you in that process, I offer free legal consultations.  Please do not hestitate to contact me at your convenience should you wish to discuss your case with me.