Top best L Lawyers in Bethesda | 670 available

Ms. Brooks was named a Maryland Rising Star in 2012 and 2013, selected by Super Lawyers, a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Ms. Brooks is also named to the Top 40 Under 40 National Trial Lawyers.. Previous Work. Prior to law school, Sandra was a judicial intern for the Honorable John Turnbull, II, the Baltimore County Circuit Court administrative judge. During law school, Ms. Brooks served as a law clerk for the Law Office of William H. Roberge, Jr. Thereafter, she began her legal career as a tax controversy associate in Rockville, Maryland. Sandra was a family law associate with Ms. Hepfer for two years prior to the affiliation of the Law Office of Cheryl Lynn Hepfer with Offit|Kurman Attorneys At Law.

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.

Mr. Syed graduated cum laude from the University of Rochester (1997) and obtained his law degree from the George Washington University Law School (2000).  In 2007 he completed the Harvard Law School Program of Instruction for Lawyers (mediation workshop).. Mr. Syed founded The Syed Law Firm, PLLC in 2011 and has developed a thriving immigration, litigation and international business practice.  His past experience includes several years in the antitrust and business disputes section of the law firm of King & Ballow with offices in Nashville, TN and La Jolla, CA.  Mr. Syed previously practiced litigation at Ashcraft & Gerel, LLP in Washington, D.C. with offices and active cases nationwide focusing on tort and complex civil disputes.  He has also worked for the Civil Litigation Branch of the District of Columbia Office of Attorney General (formerly D.C. Office of Corporation Counsel), as well as Rizvi, Isa, Afridi and Angell, a leading corporate law firm in Karachi, Pakistan.

Mr. Fischler, an attorney with over 33 years of experience, offers his clients the highest degree of quality service, while providing personal and experienced advice and representation. The firm carries the highest legal ability rating in Martindale-Hubbell. After initially serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens County, New York, Mr. Fischler has since been in private practice for over 20 years, having established the Law Offices of Alan B. Fischler in 1985. Concentrating in Commercial and Complex Litigation, in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and New York, (and in such other states on pro hac vice basis as may be needed to service his clients), Mr. Fischler also maintains a broad-based practice in Business, Business Disputes, Partnership and Corporate Planning, Estate Planning and Probate, Real Estate and Financing, Appellate Practice, and in providing client representation in Civil and Criminal Trials in both state and federal courts.

Mindy Suchinsky serves a wide range of clients in the areas of estate planning, estate and gift taxation, and probate and estate administration. In addition, she advises clients on issues relating to the elderly and those with special needs.. Ms. Suchinsky began her career in the field of deaf education, working as a teacher and a principal in New York and Illinois. She also worked as an editor for Commerce Clearing House where she authored and edited publications in the areas of estate tax, gift tax and income tax.. After moving to Maryland, Ms. Suchinsky began practicing law and worked in various firms in Montgomery County that concentrate in the areas of business law, real estate and trusts and estates. She has been with West & Feinberg, P.C. since 1998. Ms. Suchinsky is a frequent speaker to charitable groups and other local groups in Montgomery County on the topics of charitable giving and estate planning and has served on the Boards of Directors of various charities.. Ms. Suchinsky received her B.S. in speech from Northwestern University in 1976; her Ed.M. in education from Harvard University in 1977; and her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University in 1983. Ms. Suchinsky is admitted to practice law in Maryland, New York and Illinois.

Mindy Epstein is an experienced litigator devoted to bringing justice to her clients.  She focuses primarily on personal injury litigation, but also has extensive experience with civil litigation and trial work.  Mindy has appeared before numerous courts in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

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.

Michael Neary is an attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland who practices in the employment and litigation groups.  An experienced litigator and appellate attorney, he handles a wide array of litigation matters, such as business fraud, corporate and partnership dissolutions, and commercial disputes in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Michael’s practice also includes employment and labor matters with an emphasis on employer counseling.. He advises businesses, associations, nonprofits, community associations, religious organizations, private schools, professionals and individuals on how to save money, time and energy by avoiding litigation. When litigation is unavoidable, he considers all strategies to obtain the best possible results for his clients. Michael is dedicated to carefully evaluating all aspects of his clients’ cases, an approach that he feels is key to success.. His practice also focuses on counseling employers on compliance with federal employment statutes and regulations, such as Title VII, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and their state and local counterparts. Michael also defends employers against claims of race, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, transgender and disability discrimination in state and federal courts as well as in various administrative agencies. In addition, he advises clients on the enforceability of non-compete agreements.. Michael also devotes a portion of his practice to representing individuals and corporations facing criminal charges.. Super Lawyers has listed Michael as a "Rising Star" in the field of employment litigation in both Maryland and Washington, DC.. A member of the Maryland and District of Columbia bars, as well as the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Michael prides himself on delivering creative solutions to his clients’ problems.. Michael graduated magna cum laude from Loyola College in Baltimore, Md., where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and was a member of Pi Sigma Alpha. He received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Maryland School of Law. After law school, Michael completed a clerkship with the Honorable Katherine D. Savage in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland. Active in the community, Michael serves on the board of Cornerstone Montgomery, a nonprofit organization that provides services to Montgomery County citizens with mental illnesses, and he is a member of the Catholic Business Network of Montgomery County. When not practicing law, Michael enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and daughters.

Michael J. Bramnick has been practicing law for over a decade and focuses on all aspects of civil litigation including contract disputes, residential and commercial real estate disputes, business torts, construction litigation including mechanic’s liens and collections for contractors, subcontractors and material suppliers, and general post-judgment collections and enforcement matters. Mike is a zealous litigator, advocate and trusted advisor for his clients. He brings a pragmatic and analytical approach to evaluating claims early in the dispute process to customize strategies that are designed to best serve his clients’ needs. In some cases, this is achieved through alternative dispute resolution such as mediation. When a negotiated resolution cannot be obtained, Mike is prepared to arbitrate or litigate claims throughout the State and Federal Courts in Maryland, Virginia and DC.

Michael Goecke is a litigation attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland. Mike’s practice involves a range of business and tort matters with an emphasis on civil litigation in Maryland and Washington, D.C.. His clients include national and local corporations, family-owned businesses, nonprofits, community associations and individuals from a cross-section of industries including information technology, government contracts, construction and real estate. His caseload is robust and varied. Whether representing shareholders in corporate and contract disputes, defending landlords and community associations in real estate litigation, such as cases involving secondhand smoke or damage caused by floods or fires, challenging (or defending) wills and trusts in probate court, or discreetly handling sensitive and personal disputes between individuals, Mike is determined and pragmatic in his approach.. Mike regularly argues cases before the Montgomery County Circuit Court and the District of Columbia Superior Court, as well as other State and Federal courts in the Washington, D.C. area. He has handled bench and jury trials and has successfully litigated several cases, including several before the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Mike also represents clients in mediations and arbitrations and works to avoid (or minimize) litigation to serve his clients’ best interests.. Mike received his bachelor of arts from the University of Michigan and Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School. Before joining Lerch Early, Mike worked for a major Washington, D.C., law firm, where he represented Fortune 500 companies and organizations in commercial litigation and in defense of toxic tort and product liability claims. Prior to moving to Washington, Mike worked for one of the oldest firms in Detroit, where he handled a range of corporate and commercial matters that included litigation related to building and road construction, professional liability, premises liability and environmental contamination.. Over the years, Mike has made pro bono work a major part of his practice and has won various pro bono awards. He currently serves as the chair of the Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono program.. Mike loves to travel. After college, he worked as a bartender in London and traveled throughout the United Kingdom. Before he and his wife had children, they explored Turkey, Honduras, South Africa, Argentina and Iceland. Their adventures are now focused on the domestic front with the addition of their young daughters. In his spare time, Mike enjoys swimming, cycling, and rooting for all teams from Detroit and the Michigan Wolverines.

Michael (Mike) Gugerty is the principal of Gugerty Law Office, a real estate, business law and general practice firm serving clients in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia regarding a broad range of commercial real estate, business and personal transactions.. The firm's practice is in following primary areas:. ·  Commercial real estate, business and zoning transactions, representing buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, owners’ associations, borrowers or lenders.. ·        General business law, reviewing contracts, creating corporate or limited liability entities, counseling clients on sale/purchase of businesses or assets and other legal issues, and handling collection, litigation, foreclosure and bankruptcy matters.. ·        Representation of individuals regarding contracts, real estate purchases or sales, landlord/tenant issues, zoning, litigation and other personal legal matters.. ·        Mediation services, either representing one party as an advocate in mediation of a dispute, or serving as a neutral mediator to facilitate between opposing parties.

Megan M. Wallace concentrates in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration. In addition to preparing wills, trusts, financial and health care powers of attorney, Ms. Wallace guides estate planning clients through the process of naming guardians for minor children and planning for the transfer of family businesses. Her clients include single people, married couples, families, and unmarried partners and their children.. Ms. Wallace guides numerous estates through the probate process, including foreign or ancillary probate matters. Ms. Wallace handles complex creditor issues and heir issues. In addition, Ms. Wallace has helped several clients unwind ownership of real property that was never properly transferred from a decedent.

Maria Leonard Olsen graduated magna cum laude from Boston College (Bachelor of Science in Business Management, 1985) and the University of Virginia School of Law (Juris Doctor, 1988). Upon graduation from law school, she worked as a commercial litigator at Dow Lohnes, which was then one of the largest law firms in Washington, D.C. In 1992, she was appointed by President Clinton as Special Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she served until 1995. During her time there, she was honored by Attorney General Janet Reno as the highest-ranking Asian American political appointee at the Justice Department. From 1995 to 1997, Ms. Olsen served as the Pro Bono Program Manager for the Justice Department’s Pro Bono Program in the Office of Policy Development. After her second child was born in 1997, she continued to do pro bono legal work for the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project and the East Coast Migrant Head Start Program, and to work as a freelance journalist, as well as an editor and writer at Bethesda Magazine.. Ms. Olsen joined The Pels Law Firm in 2014, as a general litigator handling construction, corporate, tax and other litigation matters. She is an author of several children’s books and adult non-fiction books, and hosts/produces a live radio show on WPFW fm 89.3 that focuses on diversity issues. Ms. Olsen has been a foster mother for eight newborn babies awaiting adoption, and has served on the Board of Visitors for the National Children’s Medical Center, and the boards of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Washington, the Catholic Coalition for Special Education, the Pastoral Council for the Shrine of the Most Holy Blessed Sacrament, the Nepal Youth Fund and on the Advisory Board for Girls Up, an empowerment organization for middle school-aged girls.. Ms. Olsen is the recipient of the D.C. Bar’s Pro Bono Coordinator of the Year Award for 1991. She is a member of the Bars of the District of Columbia, Maryland, the United States Circuit Court for the D.C. Circuit, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and the United States Tax Court.

Marcie Brecher joined West & Feinberg as an associate in 2013.Ms. Brecher concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration.Ms. Brecher began her career in the charitable arena, working for over a decade as a major gift officer for national non-profit organizations. In this capacity, she discussed various philanthropic giving vehicles, including legacy gifts and charitable trusts, with individuals and families.Ms. Brecher received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law, her M.A. in international economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and her B.A. from Duke University.In law school, she was the Executive Articles Editor for the Journal of Business and Technology Law. Ms. Brecher received the Steven J. Mandell Scholarship Award in May 2011 from the Maryland State Bar Association Business Law Section for outstanding performance in business law coursework. Ms. Brecher is admitted to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

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.

Marc Engel, an employment attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland, co-chairs the firm’s Employment & Labor group and is a member of its Litigation group. He brings nearly 25 years of wide-ranging civil litigation and counseling experience to his practice, and has represented clients in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies and various arbitration panels.. Marc has managed all aspects of business and employment litigation, including all pre-trial and trial work, appeals and settlements. His clients include businesses and individuals from a broad range of industries, including real estate management, government contracting, construction, professional services, education, nonprofits, real estate, technology and religious organizations.. In addition to litigating and mediating employment and business matters, a major focus of Marc’s practice is devoted to advising in-house counsel, business executives and managers on a variety of employment issues and litigation avoidance strategies. Known among his clients as a great listener, he is widely respected for his ability to dissect complex employment and litigation questions and analyze potentially conflicting business, financial and practical considerations.. Marc prides himself on anticipating his clients’ challenges. Driven and energetic, he closely monitors the latest legal and regulatory developments and is a sought-after speaker on employment matters and litigation avoidance practices. He regularly counsels clients on how to comply with state and federal employment statutes, including the American With Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and federal and state wage hour laws. He also conducts anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training; drafts handbooks, agreements and numerous other documents for employers; and performs employment audits.. As part of his commitment to keeping his clients ahead of the curve in terms of employment and personnel issues, and related legal developments, Marc created the Employment Alliance Group. The group is composed of human resource professionals, business executives and business advisors and focuses on creative and proactive ways in which employers can address the ever changing landscape of employment laws and issues. Marc periodically invites expert speakers to his meetings to discuss timely issues of concern to his clients. These meetings, hosted at Lerch Early’s office, offer participants the chance to ask questions, network and learn about key employment issues.. Marc, who is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia, serves as a mediator for private and court-appointed employment and litigation matters and has served as the designated mediator in conjunction with a corporate ADR program. The Circuit Court for Montgomery County selected him to be on its approved list of mediators for civil matters. In 2006, Marc was selected as a member of the “Greater Washington Legal Elite” by SmartCEO magazine for his work on employment matters.. Marc received his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from the University of Maryland, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School. He also completed Maryland’s 40-hour Civil Mediation Training; a supplemental training course on mediating complex litigation matters; and an advanced mediation training course in labor and employment issues.. Marc enjoys spending time with his family and friends, working out, reading and traveling. He ranks Italy as his favorite trip and fondly recalls the country’s scenery, art, people and food.

Lindsey Sarowitz joined Handler & Levine, LLC in 2013. Lindsey counsels clients on estate planning, helping them with decisions regarding themselves and their families. Lindsey is integral in the firm's estate administration process, helping guide families through probate and trust administration, following the loss of a loved one.. Lindsey is a member of the Maryland, District of Columbia, and Virginia Bars, and is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Montgomery County, MD. She is also an active member of the Grass Roots Organization for the Well-being of Seniors (GROWS), which is the leading organization dedicated to the well-being of seniors in Montgomery County. As part of her practice, Lindsey provides estate planning seminars to Federal Government employees through the National Institute of Transition Planning. Lindsey is also an adjunct professor at Montgomery College, and regularly teaches “Wills and Estates” as well as “Probate in Maryland.". Lindsey earned her B.S. in Justice, cum laude, in 2007 from American University in Washington, D.C. While in college, she worked at The White House in the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and was an intern at the U.S. Senate. She received her Juris Doctor degree in 2010 from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, in San Diego, CA. In law school, Lindsey was a volunteer mediator at the San Diego Superior Court and was also president of Thomas Jefferson School of Law’s Women’s Law Association.. Lindsey was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2014, the District of Columbia Bar in 2015 and became a member of the Virginia Bar in January 2021. Lindsey was given the AVVO Clients’ Choice Award in 2020 and has been selected as a “Rising Star” by SuperLawyers for 2021-2022. She was also voted one of the "Top Attorneys" in Bethesda Magazine.

Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since 1989 (inactive status)

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.

Justin A. Okezie, Esq. is an aggressive, creative, dedicated, and experienced attorney who represents clients in local and federal courts in the District of Columbia and Maryland (Montgomery and Prince George's Counties) who have been charged with criminal offenses or who have suffered serious personal injuries.. Mr. Okezie is honored to have earned an AV® Preeminent Rating - the highest rating available from Martindale-Hubbell, the leading independent attorney rating entity. An AV® Rating signifies that the lawyer has reached the heights of professional excellence; he or she has practiced law for a number of years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.. Mr. Okezie was selected by The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, an invitation-only organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state in the nation who meet stringent qualifications as civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense trial lawyers. Membership is extended solely to the select few of the most qualified attorneys from each state who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile.. Mr. Okezie received his Bachelor’s Degree (with High Honors)in History/Political Science from Rutgers University in 1996 and his Juris Doctorate (Cum Laude) from DukeUniversityLawSchool in 1999.. After graduating from law school, Mr. Okezie accepted a position as an associate at Covington & Burling, one of the most prestigious law firms in the United States, where he worked with renowned criminal defense attorneys in the field of “white collar” criminal defense. Mr. Okezie then worked at Brown, Goldstein & Levy, a boutique litigation law firm, where he worked on civil rights, criminal defense, and commercial civil litigation cases.. Mr. Okezie started his own law practice in 2002. He represents clients facing a variety of criminal charges, including murder, sexual assault, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, narcotics possession and distribution, gun possession, driving while intoxicated, and “white collar” criminal offenses such as Medicaid fraud and embezzlement. He also represents clients who need to be fairly compensated for their serious personal injuries.. Mr. Okezie is client-focused, in that he approaches each case individually, always focusing on each client’s personal needs and goals. He provides his clients with quality legal services in a cost-efficient manner in order to try to meet each client’s particular needs and goals.. Mr. Okezie is result-oriented, in that he searches for and considers a wide array of potential outcomes and ways to achieve them, whether this entails moving to suppress and exclude unlawfully-obtained evidence and statements, moving to dismiss a case at an early juncture, obtaining an agreement that substantially reduces the likely sentence that a client may face and that might ultimately result in dismissal of a case, or taking any other legal recourse that is appropriate based on the circumstances of a specific case.. Of course, when a trial is necessary to achieve a client’s interests, Mr. Okezie is prepared to proceed to trial and aggressively challenge the prosecution in open court. To accomplish this, Mr. Okezie utilizes an experienced criminal investigator, who helps him thoroughly investigate the actual facts that underlie the case (rather than merely accepting the police department’s often biased view of the facts), presents arguments to undermine the prosecutor’s evidence and, when appropriate, offers evidence and testimony, all in an effort to achieve a verdict of “not guilty” on behalf of his client.. Mr. Okezie has been lead defense counsel in over 100 criminal trials and has represented well over 1,000 clients facing criminal charges. He has also litigated numerous cases for clients who have suffered serious personal injuries in order obtain fair compensation for his clients.. Mr. Okezie is on the cutting-edge of new developments in the ever-changing field of criminal law, criminal procedure, and litigation strategy. He contributes to the legal community with his expertise and experience and has been invited to participate in numerous judicial committees, as well as legal education courses and seminars, where he has lectured Judges on recent legal developments in the criminal field and trained attorneys in trial practice, criminal law, and criminal procedure. Mr. Okezie is fluent in English and Spanish.

Julie Reddig is an employment attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland. She defends management in a broad range of matters and disputes involving employment and the workplace, including wage and hour investigations by state and federal officials, discrimination, harassment, unfair labor practice and overtime claims made by current and former employees, and compliance with federal and state employment laws. She represents companies at mediations, arbitrations, administrative agency proceedings, and in the state and federal courts of Maryland and the District of Columbia.. Julie’s clients come from all over the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and represent a cross-section of the region’s employers. Much of the work she does involves clients from the government contracting, transportation, construction, real estate, professional services, association and nonprofit sectors. These companies benefit from her ability to design cost-effective, creative solutions that reduce the risk of workplace liabilities. She is widely respected by clients and colleagues for her dedicated approach and her determination to fight for her clients’ best interests.. Her practice includes counseling on compliance with applicable employment statutes and regulations. These include wage and hour laws, laws that protect ill, injured or disabled employees, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), and laws specific to the wage and affirmative action obligations of government contractors. She frequently provides training to HR professionals and front- line managers on best practices for hiring and firing, preventing harassment claims, compliance with wage and hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and compliance with the laws requiring accommodation of pregnant employees or individuals with disabilities and employees in need of leave under the FMLA or applicable state and local laws. In addition, she helps companies design policies and employee handbooks that comply with the law.. Julie also advises employers in matters involving union organization of an employer’s workforce, negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, and unfair labor practice charges filed under the National Labor Relations Act. She defends employers in cases involving race, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy and disability discrimination, as well as cases of sexual and other work environment harassment, and violations of state and federal overtime and minimum wage laws. She assists employers in reducing the risk of liability arising from difficult terminations, layoffs and reductions in force. In addition, Julie handles the preparation and enforcement of non-competition, non-solicitation, intellectual property and confidentiality agreements.. Prior to joining Lerch Early, Julie was a litigation associate in a prominent Baltimore law firm. In addition, she is a past judicial intern for the Honorable Richard D. Bennett of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. She is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Maryland and the District of Columbia.. Super Lawyers has listed Julie as a "Rising Star" in the field of employment law in both Maryland and Washington, DC.. Julie earned her Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh, where she was inducted into the national leadership honor society, Omicron Delta Kappa. She then went on to earn her Juris Doctor, with honor, from the University of Maryland School of Law.. A native of south central Pennsylvania, Julie and her husband love epicurean expeditions--in their own kitchen trying out new recipes on their young daughter. Julie also is an active member of the Junior League of Washington.

Joshua Schmand is a litigation attorney who works on complex business, corporate, and commercial disputes and criminal matters, advising clients on the risks and benefits of litigation, preparing for trial when needed and serving as a determined advocate.. Joshua earned his Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University and received his Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School.  He is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia.  Prior to joining Lerch Early, Joshua served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable David A. Boynton of the Montgomery County Circuit Court.

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)

Jim Peppe concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate law, commercial transactions, and estate planning and administration.In his corporate practice Mr. Peppe serves as outside general counsel to a wide range of companies and senior executives. Mr. Peppe's corporate representation includes drafting and reviewing all types of contracts, corporate governance, leasing, licensing, financing, and structuring and drafting complex limited liability company, partnership, and joint venture agreements.Mr. Peppe's transactional experience spans all aspects of business transactions including negotiating and drafting the letter of intent, reviewing and completing the due diligence process, negotiating and drafting the purchase agreement, and closing the transaction. He regularly advises and represents clients in mergers, acquisitions, sales, reorganizations, and recapitalizations.Mr. Peppe also provides a broad range of estate planning and estate administration services to executives, business owners and other individuals, helping them develop and implement estate plans that enable them to transfer their assets to future generations while minimizing estate taxes and other costs and helping maintain family relationships.Mr. Peppe is actively involved in the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA). He currently serves on the Board of Governors of the MSBA and the Section Council of the Business Law Section. Previously Mr. Peppe was Chair of the Business Law Section's Committee on Unincorporated Business Associations (Limited Liability Companies and Partnerships). Under Mr. Peppe's leadership the Committee drafted and championed the 2011 and 2012 amendments to the Maryland Limited Liability Act. In addition, Mr. Peppe is a past Co-Chair of the Business Law Section of the Bar Association of Montgomery County.Mr. Peppe was recognized as a Rising Star in business and corporate law in the 2009, 2010 and 2012 editions of Maryland Super Lawyers magazine, a distinction that recognizes the top 2.5 percent of lawyers under the age of 40 or those in practice for 10 years or less.Mr. Peppe received his LL.M. from New York University in 2004; his J.D., cum laude, and his M.A. from the University of Michigan in 2000 and 1999, respectively; and his B.A., magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from Duke University in 1994. Prior to joining the firm he was with Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP. He is admitted to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Jessica received her Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Brandeis University and her Juris Doctor from The American University Washington College of Law. She is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia.. Jessica served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Cynthia Callahan, Associate Judge of the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Maryland. She is an active member of the Bar Association of Montgomery County, co-chairing its Social Media & Technology and Community Outreach committees, while serving as program co-chair for the Family Law Section.. Jessica also serves on the Council of Young Professionals for Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern Virginia, and she volunteers at the Capital Area Food Bank and the Manna Food Center. Originally from New York, she still roots for the Mets and the Jets. Jessica is an avid runner and has completed several half marathons.