– I believe that listening is crucial so that I can understand where you are coming from and the details of your situation. The first thing I do is listen, ask questions and review relevant documents to gain as full an understanding of the issues as possible. Second, I discuss possible avenues for resolving the problem or completing the task. Third, I educate you on the applicable laws and real-world practical considerations. Finally, if you hire me, we work together as a team to navigate through stormy waters.
Law is not my first career. After graduating from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism I worked as journalist, primarily in print. My favorite newspaper gig was being the publisher of a weekly newspaper. I also taught journalism and English at the university level. I then decided to go to law school. Immediately after graduating from the George Washington University Law School I went to work for a Circuit Court Judge in Montgomery County, MD. I served as his law clerk for a year. During that year I gained exposure to many areas of law as well as to many lawyers and judges. I also closely observed many civil and criminal trials including jury trials. I took and passed the Maryland bar during my clerkship then got hired as an associate attorney immediately thereafter by a small law firm. During the six years I worked there I handled many types of cases including divorces, misdemeanors and personal injury cases. I got to interact with many Judges and Magistrates in multiple Maryland counties. I also began to gain expertise in family law since most of my cases were in that practice area. Finally, I earned the respect of both experienced lawyers, family magistrates and judges. In 2015 I opened Navigate Law Firm to fulfill a long-term dream of facing both the joys and challenges of “hanging up a shingle” and being my own boss. At this law firm, the buck stops here.
I have also been active in the legal community. I served as a member of the Maryland State Bar Association’s Family Law Section Council for three years. In that role I testified on proposed legislation and edited that section’s periodical publication entitled The Maryland Family Law Advocate. I have handled many pro bono cases through various non-profit legal services organizations primarily Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) and Community Legal Services for Prince George’s County (CLSPGC). I have been a presenter at multiple seminars for lawyers including those put on by the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA), National Business Institute (NBI) as well as MVLS and CLSPGC.
On a more personal level, the people closest to me day-to-day are my wife, daughter and our supermutt Angel. For over ten years I have enjoyed long distance running (i.e. any distance 10K or longer). I have run more than 15 races with a distance of 26.2 miles or longer including one 50 mile ultramarathon. I also savor long hikes with my favorite being a rim-to-rim hike of the Grand Canyon and an even more satisfying rim-to-rim-to-rim double crossing. Closer to home, I love long hikes on rugged trails like a variation on Shenandoah National Park’s famed “Vicki’s Death March.” As I ripen, I’ve begun cutting down on distance and speed and focusing more on quality as well as diversifying my athletic endeavors.
My experience both as a lawyer and family man helps me understand you and to plan, adapt and persist. Each case, like a marathon, requires planning, practice and executing the plan while also being able to improvise in response to unforeseeable circumstances. Each case, like a marathon, requires a combination of grit, flexibility and persistence.
To learn more about my legal journey and stay in touch with legal matters that impact you, your legacy, and your loved ones, sign up for the Navigate Law Firm newsletter and contact my firm today.
