I grew up in Montgomery County and have lived and worked in Montgomery and Frederick Counties throughout my 40 years’ legal career. I previously worked with Christy Zlatkus and Megan Parlette and I am thrilled to reconnect with them and to be part of the mission and growth of Z Family Law.

 

I bring a unique family law experience to the firm – one that combines 35 years as a family law attorney representing clients in Maryland trial and appellate courts, as well as six years (2001-2007) as a full-time Family Magistrate in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. I am a skilled negotiator and I am trained in mediation and arbitration. I mediate cases privately as well as when a court designates me to mediate. Because I am familiar with divorce ligation and the dispute resolution process from both sides of the court, I understand what makes for efficient, effective, and persuasive trial and appellate advocacy, and successful alternative dispute resolution. I seek to provide clients with knowledgeable counsel, realistic expectations, and effective assistance in resolving their family law matters whether inside the courtroom or the conference room.

 

I have a passion for oral and written client advocacy, and I am particularly excited to bring my extensive appellate experience to the firm’s appellate practice group. I have appeared on more than three dozen appellate briefs and argued cases before both Maryland appellate courts. These appeals involved significant family law issues, such as divorce grounds; alimony; monetary awards; child custody awards, modification, and relocation; child support; voluntary impoverishment; attorneys’ fees; expert witnesses and discovery violation sanctions; and other important matters. These appeals have resulted in multiple reported appellate opinions. I seek to bring my experience to bear to advise you about your rights, provide practical and realistic counsel about your appeal alternative, and zealously advocate your case.

 

I am actively involved in the Bar Association of Montgomery County, and I regularly plan and present Continuing Legal Education seminars on family law matters. Since 1993 I’ve written or compiled, edited and updated the 700+ pages of the Montgomery County Bar Foundation’s popular and successful Basic Family Law Training course for attorneys. I authored The Seven Principles of a Just Divorce: Biblical Wisdom and Legal Insight, published in 2020. The book is, in a sense, a culmination of my research and experience regarding divorce matters. It provides some ethical and legal insight to the divorce process intended to be a practical guide and resource for persons going through divorce and those around who want to be a support. It also addresses the importance of parents protecting their children from being collateral damage of the parental breakup.

 

When I’m not working or enjoying time with my grandchild you might spot me at Great Falls, a local concert venue, or at a college or professional sports event.

 

I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how Z Family Law may be of service to you in your family law matter.