“Never hire a lawyer, or anyone else for that matter, unless you have a realistic expectation of what the result of the project will look like and what to expect for the cost. If the lawyer cannot or will not provide this basic information, then keep looking…”
Stephen Friedman has 50 years of experience in representing clients in complex and contested divorce and custody cases both in Maryland, the District of Columbia and internationally. Stephen is an eminent courtroom advocate who has successfully tried hundreds of family law matters.
His years of experience have given him an unmatched perspective for helping his clients formulate reasonable expectations while never losing focus on his basic function—to solve a problem through creative settlements that protect his clients’ interests without the expense and unpredictability of protracted courtroom battles. Ultimately, Stephen’s focus is always on helping his clients restore stability to their lives.
Stephen also has a substantial appellate practice. He has briefed and argued more than 30 appeals in state and federal courts in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC His appellate successes include opinions establishing the right to reservation of alimony; overturning the ban on abortions imposed by the local county executive; establishing the right of adult dependent children to the application of the Maryland Child Support Guidelines; custody and counsel fee decisions; monetary awards and pension distributions; upholding a $3.4-million monetary award where the Virginia Court of Appeals approved his tactic of piercing the corporate veil to reach the assets hidden by a spouse; and upholding the civil rights of Maryland citizens on behalf of the ACLU
Stephen believes that clients involved in litigation are facing one of the most stressful situations in their life. The stress can be reduced substantially if the lawyer is easily accessible to the client. If you cannot speak with your lawyer within 24 hours, you should look for a new lawyer. I have a publically listed home phone and I never get calls at home because when I am retained, my clients are given a direct line to reach me and if I am engaged, my administrative assistant will make a telephone appointment no later than the close of business that day if necessary, or within 24 hours at the latest.
- Maryland
- Superior Court for the District of Columbia
- US District Court for the District of Columbia
- US District Court for the District of Maryland
- US Supreme Court
- Georgetown Law School, JD, 1963
- University of Maryland, BS, 1968
- Named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of Washington’s top lawyers
- Best Lawyers in America®, 2011-present
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Montgomery Bar Association
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Prince George’s County Bar Association
- Former Co-Legal Director of the Prince George’s County ACLU
- Legal Research and Writing instructor at Georgetown University Law School
- “No Man Can Serve 2 Masters,” published by the Georgetown Law School Publication, Res Ispa Roquetur, 1973
- Associate Editor of the International Law Journal at Georgetown University Law School
- Many lectures for the Montgomery County Mental Health Association and various Mental Health Groups on Legal Ethics for Mental Health Professionals
- Ethics lectures at American University College of Law
- Legal Research and Writing Instructor at Georgetown Law School
- Bar Association lecturer on legal ethics and new case update
- Lecturer at American University School of Law on legal ethics
- Lecturer to clinical psychologist on legal and ethics issues they face on a weekly basis
