Best Divorce Lawyers Montgomery county md
Gerald R. Curran
Divorce Lawyers
Gerald Curran has practiced as a trial lawyer in Virginia since 1991, where he has focused his practice on domestic relations litigation, including equitable distribution of property, child and spousal support issues, custody and visitation, preparation of separation and property settlement agreements, and all other aspects of family law.
Mr. Curran received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California. A native of Philadelphia, Mr. Curran was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar and then the Virginia State Bar.
Mr. Curran has personally litigated several multi-million dollar cases involving complex issues such as the valuation and distribution of business interests, stock options, real estate, retirement, financial investments, and trusts.
He has settled alimony and child support cases involving all income levels, successfully addressing such issues as the unemployment or underemployment of the payor or recipient and the unique financial aspects of children with special needs. He has handled numerous contested child custody and visitation cases and has expertise in such matters especially when they involve mental health issues, child custody evaluators, alleged abuse, and parent relocation.
Heather McCabe
Divorce Lawyers
Heather is the firm’s managing partner and divorce law guru. Heather knows all the ins and outs of divorce in Maryland and DC, and she knows exactly what to do to put her clients in a position to accomplish their goals.
Prior to founding the firm, Heather taught at both Georgetown University and American University. Her advocacy and writing skills are unparalleled and she routinely leaves those of us in the office in awe of her abilities. Clients love Heather because she speaks common sense and negotiates consistently brilliant results while being completely delightful. She is warm, smart and a fierce advocate for her clients. Heather has seen divorce from both sides of the table. She understands what clients are going through and it is her mission to see them through to the other side. When Heather talks about her job she will tell you, “my clients deserve to be happy and it is my job to help them get there.”
When Heather is not at work, she can be found at book club (though not always having read the book) or wine club (though always trying the wine), volunteering on deck at a swim meet, or on the Peloton.
Margarita Ortiz
Divorce Lawyers
Margarita is barred in the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia. She holds certifications in child access mediation, transformative mediation and immigration law. Additionally, she is an alumna from Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (CUA Law) and the University of Maryland at College Park (UMCP) with a BA in Sociology and Criminal Justice (cum laude). She is a lifetime member of Lambda Theta Alpha, Latin Sorority, Inc., Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, and Phi Beta Kappa national academic honor society.
Prior to accepting a position with the Law Offices of Sandra Guzman-Salvado, Margarita worked as an immigration attorney for a law office in Ellicott City, Maryland, handling humanitarian-based cases, such as custody/SIJS, asylum, and U & T visas. Prior to, she worked in Washington, DC as an attorney and supervising attorney in the areas of antitrust and mergers & acquisitions. Additionally, she served as a judicial law clerk for 4 years at the DC Superior Court for the Honorable Cheryl M. Long and for the Honorable Fern Flanagan Saddler. Margarita also worked in Baltimore City, Maryland as a law clerk with the State Attorney’s Office’s Felony Family Violence and Domestic Violence Divisions and as a Case Manager for the Circuit Court’s Family Division Associate Administrator.
Margarita enjoys running, gardening, traveling, poetry and spending time with family and friends. She also gives back to our community and has volunteered to assist immigrants and foster care youth and served for several years as the President and Board Member of a DC after-school program.
Margarita believes that it is important to listen to and connect with our clients in order to offer them a stronger voice in securing the best outcome for a better tomorrow. She helps our clients understand and navigate through the negotiation and/or court processes of their cases.
STUART H. GROZBEAN
Divorce Lawyers
After reading Mr. Grozbean’s credentials, (he prefers to be called Stu) you will see why so many people have come to rely upon his advice over the years, including community/political leaders. His years of experience can help you in your legal needs.
Stuart H. Grozbean was named to “Who’s Who in America” and is now a life member of “Who’s Who”, a prestigious national recognition of outstanding professionals in the United States.
He is the developer of the child support guidelines program in Maryland. His program is widely used by Judges, Magistrates and Attorneys in Maryland. Both Magistrates and Judges have consulted him on family law related questions including child support.
He was invited to speak before the Maryland Rules Committee about Maryland Child Support and needed changes in the Maryland Rules. His recommendations were unanimously adopted by the Committee for submission to the Maryland Court of Appeals.
Mr. Grozbean regularly lectures for family law professors on family and child support laws.
Mr. Grozbean has been quoted in the Washington Post, USA Today and on the various television and news channels. A former Majority Leader of the House of Representatives appointed Mr. Grozbean as Honorary Co-Chairman of the Business Advisory Council.
He is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, Maryland Court of Appeals, Superior Court for the District of Columbia, U.S. District Court for Maryland, U.S. District of Columbia, U.S. Court of Military Appeals; American Bar Association, and Maryland State Bar Association; former instructor and lecturer at Law University of Maryland and U.S. government in training personnel in legal matters.
His clients have included representation of corporations on the Stock Exchange, as well as other nationally recognized corporations in major contract negotiations, litigation and discrimination defense. He has successfully handled large and complex domestic matters, including prenuptial agreements, custody, property, pension and business rights. Mr. Grozbean has been contacted by numerous lawyers and political leaders around the country for advice and consultation on these and other issues requiring detailed analysis on legal issues and quoted in numerous publications. He has traveled for trial and civil corporate practice to Texas, Arizona, Florida, Canada, South Pacific and Africa. Stu Grozbean is President and CEO Support Analysis Software, Inc., (SASI) a leader in development of Legal Software receiving the prestigious Editor’s Award.
Dorothy R. Fait
Divorce Lawyers
In 1973, Dorothy R. Fait received a J.D. from the University of Maryland. That same year, she was confirmed to the Maryland (MD) Bar. Fait quickly gained respect for her legal skills, laying the groundwork for her 1977 admittance to the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1970, Dorothy started working with the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
Throughout her career, Dorothy has served Montgomery and Frederick Counties, as well as the MD State Bar Association, acting as a chair for various committees across her practice area. Some of Dorothy’s legal appointments include:
- Working as a chair for the MD State Bar Association’s Family Law Section
- Receiving membership in a variety of bar associations, including the American Bar, D.C. Bar, and Women’s Bar of Maryland and Montgomery County
- Acting as President of the Montgomery County Commission for Women
- Assisting the state of Maryland as a participant in the state’s family law task force
- Being awarded a lifetime position on the Montgomery County Inns of Court
- Assisting the Montgomery County Inns of Court as the Program Co-Chair
- Serving on the Maryland State Ethics Commission for five years as a commissioner, helping combat corruption in the state
- Chairing the Montgomery Spouse Abuse Task Force
- Operating as the current treasurer for the Montgomery County Family Justice Center
- Participating in the Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
Dorothy’s long list of respectable achievements and legal appointments within the communities she serves have made her a standout figure in Montgomery’s legal landscape. As a result of her tireless work in Maryland and D.C. family law cases, Dorothy has found herself the recipient of numerous prestigious legal awards:
- In both 2004 and 2007, the Daily Record named her one of Maryland’s 100 Top Women, eventually inducting her into their Circle of Excellence in 2011 and awarding her a Leadership in Law Award in 2013.
- Her devotion to bettering the communities she inhabits resulted in the Greater Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse recognizing her with a Woman of Valor award in 2003.
- From 2006-2016, Dorothy was also named to the Maryland and D.C. Super Lawyers lists, further denoting her commitment to legal excellence.
- In 2015 Washingtonian Magazine named Attorney Fait one of their top lawyers, and in 2015 she received a Founder’s Award from the Family Justice Center of Montgomery County.
Lloyd A. Malech
Divorce Lawyers
Lloyd A. Malech represents clients in a wide range of areas, including: divorce, child custody, child support, modifications, enforcement, domestic violence and other related family law matters. In practice for over 25 years, he has the experience and proven record to achieve results in both the courtroom and at the negotiating table.
Mr. Malech strongly believes in the importance of supporting his clients through all aspects of the legal process. He understands the challenging family dynamics and is committed to a compassionate and caring experience throughout his representation.
With a dedicated team to assist, Mr. Malech and his team are committed to family law, reenvisioned, with experience, reliability and results.
EDUCATION
- George Washington University,
Law School, JD - Rutgers College
General Honors Program
Cum Laude
BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS
- Member of the Maryland Bar
- Member of the District of Columbia Bar
- Admitted to the Maryland Court of Appeals
- Admitted to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals
- Admitted to the U.S. District Court and Circuit Court for Maryland
- Admitted to the U.S. District Court and Circuit Court for the District of Columbia
LaSheena M. Williams
Divorce Lawyers
Education
JD, Howard University School of Law
BA, BS, Psychology and Criminal Justice, Towson University
Bar Admissions
State of Maryland
United States District Court, District of Maryland
District of Columbia
Professional Memberships
National Bar Association
Maryland State Bar Association
Montgomery County Bar Association
Montgomery County Maryland American Inns of Court
Prince George’s County Bar Association
J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association
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 in dealing with complex and contested divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, marital property, and domestic violence related cases throughout the Maryland Circuit Court.
She started the Law Office of LaSheena M. Williams, LLC in order to focus on meeting the unique needs of her clients through Maryland.
When LaSheena isn’t fighting for her clients’ interests, you’ll find her working with her local bar association’s community outreach and intervention programs.
LaSheena is an active member of several state and local bar associations. She is currently represents the 4th Circuit as a council member for the Solo and Small Firm Council for the Maryland State Bar Association. She is also a former Family Law Fellow for the American Bar Association’s Family Law Section, and Leadership Academy Fellow for the Montgomery County Bar Association.
Nogah B. Helfant
Divorce Lawyers
Nogah B. Helfant is the Managing Partner at Meiselman Helfant & Wills, LLC and has concentrated her practice in the area of family law in Maryland for more than 20 years. She has extensive litigation, mediation, and negotiation experience in contested divorce cases, protective orders, high conflict custody cases, modification, and post-divorce enforcement proceedings. Ms. Helfant is frequently appointed by the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland to serve as a Child Privilege Attorney or Best Interest Attorney in contested custody cases.
Ms. Helfant is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz (B.A. 1991) and Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts (J.D. 1994). She is a trained mediator and certified Best Interest Attorney.
A member of the Montgomery County and Maryland State Bar Associations, she has been recognized as one of the top-rated family law attorneys in Maryland by Super Lawyers.
Having the best divorce lawyer in Montgomery County, MD, can provide numerous benefits for individuals going through a divorce. Here are some advantages:
Expertise and Experience: The best divorce lawyers have extensive knowledge of family law, including the specific laws and regulations in Montgomery County. They understand how to navigate the legal system effectively.
Strategic Planning: A skilled divorce lawyer will develop a tailored strategy based on your unique situation. They’ll consider factors such as your assets, liabilities, children (if any), and your specific goals for the divorce.
Objective Perspective: Emotions can run high during a divorce. A good lawyer can provide an objective viewpoint and help you make rational decisions, ensuring that your interests are protected.
Negotiation Skills: Many divorces are settled through negotiations. A top divorce lawyer will be an adept negotiator, advocating for your rights and striving to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Familiarity with Local Courts: A lawyer who practices in Montgomery County will be familiar with the local courts, judges, and procedures. This can be a significant advantage in anticipating how your case might be handled.
Asset Division and Alimony Issues: Complex financial situations often arise in divorces. A skilled lawyer can help ensure that assets are divided fairly and that any spousal support (alimony) arrangements are appropriate.
Child Custody and Support Matters: If there are children involved, custody and support arrangements can be highly emotional and legally intricate. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you navigate these issues and advocate for the best interests of your children.
Legal Paperwork and Procedures: A divorce involves a significant amount of paperwork, filings, and deadlines. A seasoned divorce lawyer will ensure that all necessary documents are prepared correctly and submitted on time.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): The best divorce lawyers are often skilled in alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation and collaborative law. These can be less adversarial and more cooperative approaches to settling a divorce.
Reduced Stress and Emotional Burden: Going through a divorce can be emotionally draining. Having a skilled lawyer by your side can alleviate some of the stress by handling the legal aspects, allowing you to focus on healing and moving forward.
Long-Term Planning: A top divorce lawyer will help you consider the long-term implications of decisions made during the divorce process, including how they may impact your financial situation, retirement, and future well-being.
Protection of Rights: Your lawyer will ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process, especially in situations where your spouse may be uncooperative or attempting to take advantage.
Remember, it’s important to do thorough research and consider factors such as reputation, experience, client reviews, and compatibility when choosing a divorce lawyer. Consulting with multiple attorneys before making a decision is often a good practice.