North Bethesda Family Lawyers

My journey to becoming the owner and founder of Wayside Legal came out of an intense sense of justice and a desire to stand up for people who cannot stand up for themselves. I started Wayside Legal for you. Every day, the firm is devoted to serving clients and the community with enthusiasm and value. Your case isn’t just a legal event but a complete and total life transition, so I strive to be a concierge that can address any and all of the issues you may face.

I am a veteran attorney licensed in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, handling all...

LaSheena M. Williams is originally from Baltimore, Maryland. After graduating from Towson University with a dual degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice she moved to the DMV metro area to attend Howard University School of Law.

After law school, she completed a post-graduate internship with The Prince George’s County State’s Office Citizen’s Complaint Division. There, she exercised prosecutorial discretion regarding over 300 citizen-filed complaints, including complaints regarding elder abuse and domestic violence.

After completing her internship, she worked as a divorce and child custody attorney for a small law firm in Baltimore County, Maryland. As a family lawyer she gained extensive experience...

I am an award-winning attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable. I am committed to serving my clients well through assertive and strategic advocacy. All cases are handled with care and with a focus on getting results for my client. I seek the best resolution for you.

What is different about my firm?

In Family Law, we place special focus on Domestic Violence as we have an excellent success rate! Allergic Reaction Injury cases have a special spot in our hearts as we have first-hand experiences with allergic reactions! In Business Law, we focus our steadfast efforts on contracts, internal business compliance risk...

Sandra Guzma- Salvado is a bi-lingual family law attorney, mediator, Best Interest Attorney for Children, and Parent Coordinator.

Sandra represents individuals in cases involving child custody, divorce, child support, and access in Maryland. She is often appointed to represent children in contested custody matters.

Legal disputes may be resolved through negotiation, litigation, mediation, or collaborative practice.

Sandra's focus has always been family law because it is what she finds most rewarding. It is an area of law where her patience, reflective listening skills, and ability to sympathize is helpful.

Heather McCabe is an accomplished litigator, mediator, and parenting coordinator. She enjoys working closely with clients to help them achieve their goals for both themselves and their children. She has taught both at Georgetown University Law School and American University's Washington College of Law. She exclusively practices in the area of family law (including divorce, separation, child support, domestic violence, and child custody).

At the Law Firm of Alexander K. Anderson nothing is more important than delivering results for you. From the outset, the firm will do everything possible to make you feel comfortable and confident with the status of your case. We understand that communication is key. We begin by having a conversation about your goals and expected results and begin to build a strategic plan to obtain those goals. It’s a one-on-one, very personal approach. Our promise is not just about the personal attention that the firm will provide, but also the strategic plan to obtain your...

Anne (Jan) W. White, with over 30 years of legal experience in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia, is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and was named to the 2013 Best Lawyers in America in Family Law and in Collaborative Law and to 2013 Super Lawyers. She attended Stanford Law School and is a magna cum laude graduate of Duke University, where she was also an Angier B. Duke scholar and Phi Beta Kappa member. Ms. White’s diverse background prepared her to resolve complex divorce issues involving taxes, retirement benefits, trusts, businesses, and related financial...

Mr. Moorstein provides legal representation with a concentration in family law, while also representing clients in their employment, real estate, personal injury and business issues. With almost 30 years experience practicing in Maryland and Washington , D.C. Mr. Moorstein practices an individualized approach to the law, developing a flexible strategy best suited to his clients' needs and goals. While dispute resolution through agreement is preferred, Mr. Moorstein also provides high quality courtroom representation.

Recognized by Superlawyers and the Washingtonian Magazine as one of the top lawyers in the area, Mr. Moorstein and the firm of Blank & Moorstein, L.L.P. and...

I have been practicing family law and personal injury in the state of Maryland since 2003. I have helped many families deal with the heart ache of divorce and custodial issues related to divorce...helped clients deal with loss of income, transportation, and life activities due to being injured in a car crash. How may I help you?

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 also has an active mediation practice, helping parties...

Diana Valle offers a comprehensive, individually tailored approach to legal representation. Every client is assessed not only to analyze the correct legal course and strategy but to offer general ancillary assistance on other issues. For example, a client with a bankruptcy problem may also need tax assistance, while a client who is in foreclosure may need a bankruptcy.

Ms. Valle's interest in the law stemmed from her sense of justice and fair play for all. The challenges of learning the law coupled with her passion for justice peaked Ms. Valle's interest in pursuing a legal career. Ms....

Tracey Coates is Co-Chair of the firm's Family Law department and a member of its Litigation practice group. In working in the former capacity, she handles a variety of domestic relations matters, including pre-marital agreements, divorce and separation, child custody, child support modification, enforcement of court orders and agreements, adoption, and guardianships. Her clients include all types of individuals and couples, in a wide range of family structures.
Tracey works hard to engage in background conversations with her clients to understand family dynamics and build rapport and trust. She goes into every case with a caring, but realistic approach with her...

I began practicing law in 1996. Since then, I have helped many clients in Maryland and the District of Columbia with their family law issues, including high-conflict divorces, custody cases involving special needs children, and premarital and postmarital agreements. I am an experienced litigator, but is also a trained Collaborative practitioner and trained mediator.

For the last twelve years I have also represented numerous students and families in education matters, including school discipline in public and private schools, and campus sexual assault, Title IX cases and academic misconduct cases at the college level.

We are a full service law firm offering customized legal solutions. Our firm represents clients in all aspects of family law, including complex marital dissolution actions, high conflict custody matters, paternity, and non-marital cohabitation cases. We also represent clients in Landlord & Tenant matters, along with a number of other practice areas. We understand that the most successful settlements result from intense trial preparation. Our firm works tirelessly in achieving advantageous results for our clients. We have represented a wide range of individuals, and understand that each client has their own unique circumstances that require creative and customized legal solutions....

When it comes to achieving a positive outcome for his clients, Geoffrey Platnick is passionate. Often meeting him under emotionally devastating circumstances, clients rely on Geoff to assess their specific family circumstances and goals, and then formulate and execute a strategy to achieve a desirable outcome for them and their families. His experience and training provides him an insightful perspective into the field of family law and its complex needs. He presents clients with strategic, thoughtful and zealous representation, providing solutions for both their immediate and long-term concerns. Geoff is particularly adept at crafting settlement agreements that...

Before starting her solo practice in Rockville, Maryland, Ms. Whitfield represented federal sector employees with a variety of labor and employment law issues. Since starting her practice in 2006, Ms. Whitfield has expanded her areas of practice to include Maryland unemployment and wage & hour cases, federal sector workers compensation, and domestic litigation.
...

Founding partner Li Weng works in Rockville Law Group LLC’s practice areas of estate planning, family law, and immigration. Li brings a background of over 6 years in estate planning, anticorruption, and trade matters, as well as transnational practice experience. Over several years, Li advised multinational companies undergoing internal and SEC investigations on potential violations by the companies’ subsidiaries of anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. In addition, she represented companies during ITC investigations of antidumping and countervailing duty matters. Most recently, Li was employed with the Rockville, MD firm of Altman and Associates, where she helped the...

For over 18 years, I have focused on helping families in the DC Area with family law issues, including prenups, separation agreements, divorce, custody, support, and property division. The past 10 years, I have also provided mediation and Collaborative Divorce services. Since 2009, I have guest lectured for Georgetown Univ. and GWU Law School, and I have appeared as a legal commentator on Sirius XM, ABC tv, MMCTV, and Good Morning America. I am regularly quoted in the media and recognized as a top lawyer in Superlawyers, Bethesda Magazine and The Washingtonian.

Since 2002, I have represented clients in Maryland custody, divorce, and marital matters. I negotiate, litigate, and advocate for the best interests of my clients, whether in contested litigation, uncontested settlement, as well as premarital and other agreements. My clients are not only spouses and parents, but also children whose interests she is appointed by the court to represent in contested custody litigation. I strive to improve the Maryland law in the General Assembly, volunteering my time to monitor, advocate, and educate about legislative developments in family law.

My goal is to help my clients move away from...

The National Law Center, George Washington University J.D., with Honors
University of Maryland, BA Major in Government & Politics, Minor in Psychology
Civic, Professional, Foundation and Corporate Affiliations:

Delegate to Democratic National Convention
Campaign Manager for Rep. Michael D. Barnes
Rockville Chamber of Commerce – Past President
National Capital Chapter of MS Society - Board of Trustees, and Past Chair
Shady Grove Hospital Fund Campaign - Major Gift Chair
Montgomery County Bar Association –Chair Judicial Selections; Member of Ethics, Fee Arbitration and Legislation Committees
Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce - Vice President
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce - Liquor Control Evaluation
Rockville Alternative Community Service Commission
Montgomery County Volunteer MS Committee -...

I have 23 years experience representing parties in divorce, custody, child support, visitation, paternity, and guardianship matters. My goal is to plan for trial from the initial client meeting forward, while at the same time attempting to construct a reasonable settlement for my clients either directly with the other party or through mediation. I was certified as a Collaborative Practitioner March 2011. In addition to representing clients locally, Mr. Bach has extensive experience representing clients involved in international family disputes including divorce, child custody, division of property and family assets, as well as retirement benefits. He has successfully handled...

Mark W. Oakley is an established litigation attorney concentrating on civil litigation, personal injury, construction law, and criminal and traffic defense. He also advises business clients, negotiates and drafts contracts, and handles a variety of litigation matters at all levels of the state and federal court systems. Mr. Oakley is trained and certified in the collaborative practice of law. Mr. Oakley is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law (J.D. 1987), and the University of Maryland, College Park (B.A. 1984). He is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association, the District of...

Richard S. Lundin's dream of becoming a Washington D.C lawyer started far from the nation's capital, working part-time as a litigation assistant in Phoenix Arizona. It was at Arizona State that Rick graduated with a degree in finance, and later George Washington University where he earned his Juris Doctor. It was also during this time that he worked for federal judge, the Honorable Charles R. Richey, who left a strong impression on Rick's early legal career. It was 1994 when Rick was hired by James Nickelsporn, who later invited him to be his law partner, forming Nickelsporn &...

Alicia is a native of the Washington Metropolitan Area, born in Washington D.C. and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland. Alicia received her B.A. in Political Science with Honors at the University of Maryland College Park. She later attended The George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC, and graduated with honors. She was admitted to practice law in the State of Maryland in 2004. Since being admitted to the bar, Alicia has been practicing family law.

Alicia is the proud mother of a high school CAP student at Blair High School. In her free time she enjoys...

Mr. Cleckner practices exclusively in the areas of criminal defense, traffic defense, and peace and protective order defense. He has never done anything else. Therefore, he focuses all of his extensive court experience on your case to get the best possible outcome. His wife Melanie handles all of the firm's domestic, family and divorce matters.

Pallavi Kachoria is an Associate in the firm’s Litigation and Family Law practice groups. She has experience in a variety of litigation areas including general civil, commercial, and domestic litigation. Pallavi also has experience in transactional matters in working with business owners to draft documents and research complex legal issues.
Her passion for the law, the rules, and fairness helps her succeed as a litigator. In working with her clients, Pallavi embraces a practical and honest approach in dealing with their complex disputes. She works tirelessly to understand all facets of her cases and aims to develop a strong relationship...

The attorneys at Minshew & Ahluwalia LLP are devoted exclusively to the practice of Family Law, including uncontested and contested divorce, separation, child support, child custody, alimony and spousal support, separation agreements, prenuptial agreements, division of property, domestic violence, child support enforcement and modification, paternity, and adoptions. We are strong advocates for families in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and committed to delivering the highest professional and ethical standards to the practice of family law. The law firm provides high-quality, aggressive, and innovative legal representation to defend our client's legal rights and protect their interests, both personally and financially. Client service...

A law firm for every day people. The belief of my practice is simple: I represent those who need an attorney but think they can't afford one. I believe in standing up for those who think no one will stand up for them. I give voice to the voiceless. Sometimes things happen. You need an attorney. You think you can't afford one. You can afford Elizabeth Pugliese, Esq.

Glenn Cooper is the Chair of the firm’s Litigation practice and senior partner in our Family Law practice. He frequently appears before federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels, and before arbitration panels and professional disciplinary boards. No matter whether he is litigating a matter of a business or domestic nature, Glenn aggressively defends his clients’ positions and pursues their desired outcomes. The majority of Glenn Cooper's practice is devoted to complex business, financial, commercial and domestic litigation involving significant business issues.
A number of Glenn's cases have helped shape the current state of the law in...

Hadrian N. Hatfield represents clients who want creative, informed, and thoughtful solutions to complex family law problems. His in-depth knowledge and extensive experience ranges from cases with high-stakes and strong emotions to interstate and international situations. Mr. Hatfield is fluent in French and has worked on international law issues at the U.S. Department of State. Local and overseas clients often consult him on international family law matters such as: •International Pre-Nuptial Agreements; •Divorce litigation in two countries at the same time; •Foreign located marital assets; •International alimony and child support issues; and •Custody and visitation rights in...

As Co-Chair of Paley Rothman’s Family Law practice and a member of its Litigation practice group, Carlos Lastra provides clients with diligent, thoughtful and effective representation, addressing both their immediate concerns and securing long-term solutions, in arguably the toughest times imaginable. Applying skills honed over a quarter of a century of recurrent civil and criminal trials before judges and juries in federal and state courtrooms in multiple jurisdictions, Carlos employs his rich trial experience to create a strategy custom-made to meet the client’s objectives, anticipate the opposing party’s tactics, and ultimately achieve his client’s goals.
Over the last 26 years, Carlos...

Attorney Akpan has been in practice for 20 years, and there is no substitute for experience. At the Law Offices of Zionne Akpan, we put our knowledge and experience to work for you. When you trust your legal needs to us, you will have experienced, aggressive, and professional advocates on your side. We give each client the personal and individualized attention they deserve, and we are experienced at resolving the most serious and complicated legal problems. We ensure that our clients understand the legal process and provide them with the information they need to make informed...

After many years of practicing family law, and having seen the emotional and financial damage that litigation can cause, I have chosen to focus my practice on healthier ways of resolving disputes such as Collaborative Law, mediation, negotiation, and settlement advocacy. While I represent individual clients, I also assist couples as a neutral mediator. I believe that by focusing on constructive settlement solutions, separating couples are much more likely to make mutually beneficial decisions while preserving valuable financial resources. Whether through Collaborative Law, mediation, or standard negotiation, I help my client stay focused on future goals rather...

Divorce is often a difficult and painful process, and it can be emotionally exhausting. If you are going through the divorce process and are wondering where you can turn to procure the help you need at such a time, look no further than Gardner Law Firm. A divorce lawyer in Rockville at this office has assisted numerous individuals who are dealing with complications and hardships comparable to yours and is prepared to take on your case and support you at this time. Attorney David Gardner received his Juris Doctorate from the American University, Washington College of Law and is a...

Jessica Markham specializes in family law in Maryland and Washington, D.C. She is trained as a Best Interest Attorney (formerly Guardian Ad Litem) and has been appointed by the Court as a Child Privilege Attorney. She has trial experience in Montgomery County, Prince George's County and Washington D.C. courts. In law school she 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.

After graduating from the University of Maryland School of Law in 2002, Spencer Hecht began his path towards developing a boutique family law practice founded on principles of unmatched work ethic, comprehensive knowledge of the law, and the real practicalities of the family dynamic. Mr. Hecht’s extensive divorce and child custody experience, aggressive approach, and high rate of success, has allowed him and his firm to become a strong presence in Montgomery County and the surrounding counties in Maryland.

A native of Montgomery County himself, Mr. Hecht resides in Montgomery County with his two sons. His firm is deeply rooted in...

I am the managing attorney at Actio Law, and am licensed to practice law in Maryland, and pending admission to the District of Columbia Bar. Throughout my career, I have focused on protecting the rights of consumers and ordinary people. Whether through the practice of immigration and consumer debt law, or helping to keep corporate financial giants in compliance with consumer protection regulations, my primary concern has always been protecting the rights of the individuals who need it most. I understand that as times are changing, so too are the needs of clients. You...