Attorney Work Experience

JOSEPH, GREENWALD & LAAKE, PA
Principal, January 2019 - Present

DRAGGA, HANNON, HESSLER & WILLS, L.L.P.
Partner, January 2013 – December 2018
Associate Attorney, July 2007 – January 2013

ANDALMAN & FLYNN, P.C.
Associate Attorney, April 2002 – July 2007

Honors and Awards

• Super Lawyers 2024
• Listed in the Top 100 Maryland Super Lawyers for 2024
• Listed in the Top 50 Women Maryland Super Lawyers for 2024
• Maryland SuperLawyers, 2023

Memberships & Professional Activities

Maryland State Bar Association

• Member - 2002 to Present
• Sections
  • Family & Juvenile Law - Member 2002 to Present
  • Solo & Small Firm - 2018
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution - 2018
  • Delivery of Legal Service - 2018
• Leadership
  • Family & Juvenile Law Section Council
    • At Large Member
      • June 2012 – June 2018
      • June 2022 - Present
    • Legislative Committee Chair/Co-Chair
      • Sessions 2013-2016, 2018, 2022, 2023
  • Board of Governors (Representing Montgomery County, Maryland)
    • July 2016 – June 2018
• Maryland Bar Foundation
  • Fellow
    • June 15, 2017 - Present

Bar Association of Montgomery County

• Member
  • 2002 to Present
• Sections & Committees
  • Family Section
    • Member
      • 2002 to Present
    • Legislative Liaison
      • Sessions 2006-2012
    • Co-Chair
      • Bar Year 2008-2009
  • Technology Committee
    • Chair
      • Bar Years 2007-2008, 2008-2009
  • Legislative Breakfast
    • Chair
      • 2013-2015
• Leadership
  • Executive Committee At-Large Member
    • Bar Years 2012-2013, 2013-2014
• Montgomery County Bar Foundation
• TESS Legal Clinic
  • Volunteer Attorney
    • 2002-2006
• Pro Bono Attorney Mentoring Group
  • Mentor
    • 2012-2016
• Bar Leader
  • 2008-Present

Women's Bar Association

• Of Maryland
  • Legislative Committee
    • Member
      • Sessions 2005-2006
  • Website Committee
    • Chair
      • 2005-2009
  • Judicial Selections Committee
    • Member
      • 2013-2015
• Montgomery County Chapter
  • Member
    • 2002-2016
  • Chapter President
    • Bar Year 2009-2010
  • Member Directory Chair
    • Bar Years 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006
  • Listserv Chair
    • Bar Years 2004-2005, 2005-2006
  • Bar Association of Montgomery County Liaison
    • Bar Year 2006-2007
  • Triennial Auction
    • Finance Volunteer
      • 2004
    • Finance Chair
      • 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016
  • Nominations Committee Chair
    • Bar Years 2010-2011 – 2015-2016

Bar Association of Frederick County

• Member
  • 2018 to Present

Howard County Bar Association

• Member
  • 2018 to Present

American Inns of Court

• Montgomery County Inn
  • Member
    • Associate
      • Bar Year 2005-2006
    • Barrister
      • 2007-2008 – 2016-2017
    • Bencher
      • 2017 to Present
  • Leadership
    • Social Committee Co-Chair
      • Bar Years 2009-2010, 2011-2012
    • Membership Committee Co-Chair
      • 2012-2013 - 2015-2016
• Howard County/James MacGill Inn
  • Member
    • 2018-2019 to Present

Association of Family & Conciliation Courts

• National
  • Member
    • 2014 to Present
• Maryland Chapter
  • Member
    • 2014 to Present
  • Ambassador Board (6^th Judicial Circuit)
    • 2018 to 2022

Collaborative Dispute Resolution Professionals

• Member
  • 2010-2013
• Board
  • Public Education Committee Chair
    • Bar Years 2011-2012, 2012-2013

Divorce Roundtable of Montgomery County

• Member
  • 2014-2015 to Present
• Legislative Liaison
  • Sessions 2015-Present

Circuit Court for Montgomery County Workgroup

• Pro Bono, Lo Bono, Self-Represented Litigants
• Member
  • 2014-2015

Commission on Child Custody Decision Making

• Court Process Subcommittee
  • Member
    • 2014
  • Unmarried Parents Workgroup Chair
    • 2014

Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland

• Professional Skills Academy
  • Mentor
    • Bar Years 2019-2020, 2020-2021

Administrative Office of the Courts’ Custody Evaluator Standards Workgroup

• Member
  • February 2022 - Present

Publications

New Rule of Procedure, Rule 16-819: Court Interpreters
MSBA Solo and Small Firm Section’s Law Clerk, Winter 2003

The Rules Have Changed
co-authored with Elliott Andalman
Esquire, Maryland Association of Justice’s Trial Reporter, Fall 2004

When Do I Become A Spy?
co-authored with Vincent M. Wills, Esquire
Maryland Bar Journal, Volume XLII Number 3, May/June 2009

Adultery: Who Cares
MSBA Family Law News, September 2010

Top 10 Reasons Not to Take this Client's Case
MSBA Bar Bulletin, September 2012

Top 10 Tips to Prepare Your Client for a Court Custody Evaluation
MSBA Bar Bulletin, October 2012

The Legal Evaluation of Electronic Communications
co-authored with Rene Sandler, Esquire, and Colleen Coffman, Esquire,
Maryland Bar Journal, Volume XLC Number 6, November/ December 2012

2013 Legislative Session Wrap Up 
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, December 2013

Family and Juvenile Law Proposed in the 2014 Legislative Session
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, June 2014

Passed Legislation Debrief
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, October 2014

Developments in Family Law in 2015
co-authored with Heather Sweren, Esquire,
Maryland Association of Justice’s Trial Reporter, Winter 2015

2015 Passed Legislation Debrief – Are You Ready?
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, December 2015

2016 Family Law Legislative Preview
MSBA Bar Bulletin, January 15, 2016

Automatic Injunction Bill Fails in Legislature…For Now
Maryland Domestic Law Report, March 2016

The Commission on Child Custody Decision-Making– From Theory to Practice
co-authored with Lin Delaney, Esquire
Maryland Bar Journal, Volume XLIX Number 2, March/April 2016

2016 Rule Reminders
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, September 2016

2017 Legislative Update
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, May 2017

2018 Family Law Legislative Preview
MSBA Bar Bulletin, December 15, 2017

2018 Family Law Legislative Preview
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, December 2017

Marrying Minors – More Than Meets the Eye
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, December 2017

2017 Legislative Update
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, December 2017

2018 Maryland General Assembly – Progress Report as of January 31, 2018
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, Spring 2018

2018 Maryland General Assembly – Legislative Update as of April 30, 2018
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, Summer 2018

2022 Legislative Update
MSBA Maryland Family Law Advocate, August 2022
Prince Georges County Bar Association Bar Bulletin, August 2022

Speaking Engagements

Montgomery County Maryland Commission for Women
Divorce Seminar-Part I, July 11, 2008

Montgomery County Maryland Commission for Women
Divorce Seminar-Part II:  Child-Related Issues, July 18, 2008

Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland
Legislation Training (Planned & presented) (Rockville), November 6, 2008

KABOOM! (non-profit-- https://kaboom.org/)
Negotiation Presentation: Building Blocks of Successful Negotiation, January 22, 2009

Montgomery County Maryland Commission for Women
Divorce Seminar-Part I, February 19, 2010

Montgomery County Maryland Commission for Women
Divorce Seminar-Part II:  Child-Related Issues, February 26, 2010

WHUR Radio Show, March 30, 2012

The A to Z of CPA (Child Privilege Attorney), April 4, 2012

Montgomery County Maryland Commission for Women
Divorce Seminar-Part I, April 19, 2012

Montgomery County Maryland Commission for Women
Divorce Seminar-Part II:  Child-Related Issues, April 26, 2012

Law Day Presentation
The Spy Who Loved Me:  When Divorce and Social Media Collide May, 18, 2012   

Law Day Presentation
The Great Collaborative Law Debate, April 26, 2013

Maryland State Bar Association Family Law & Juvenile Law Section Council
Hot Tips in Family Law with Digital Potomac and Ken D’Angelo, February 2014

Montgomery County Maryland Commission for Women
Surviving the Legal Process of Separation, Divorce and Custody in Maryland, March 2014

Bar Association of Baltimore City Family Law Section
Legislative Update September, 22, 2015

Frederick County Bar Association’s Family Law Section Legislative Update

• September 3, 2015
• October 17, 2017
• September 19, 2018
• September 5, 2019

Maryland Association for Justice Family Law Section Legislative Update

• September 8, 2017
• September 12, 2018

Bar Association of Montgomery County Family Law & New Practitioners’ Sections Septembe,r 28, 2017
Anatomy of a Family Law Case:  Process, Planning & Resources
Co-presented with:  Anne Grover, Esq. and Christopher Roberts, Esq.

Howard County Bar Association Family Law Section Legislative Update, January 5, 2018

Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland
Child Counsel Training (Planned & presented) (Rockville), March 9, 2018

Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Family Law: Basics & Beyond Training:  Child Custody & Support, May 16, 2018

AFCC:  Is Justice Truly Blind? The Impact of Bias on Child Custody Cases (Denver)
Co-presented with: Syretta R. James, PhD and Magistrate Joanie Raymond, November 10, 2018

Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Tips for the Trial Lawyer Considering an Appeal
Co-presented with Anne Grover, Esquire, April 12, 2019

Administrative Office of the Courts
Child Counsel Training (Frederick), April 20, 2019

Anne Arundel Community College Legal Studies Institute
Child Counsel Training (together with Maryland State Bar Association) (Hanover), May 31, 2019

Judicial College of Maryland, Administrative Office of the Courts
Family Law University – Alimony & Child Support Workgroups, September 10, 2019
Co-Presented with Hon. Donna M. Schaeffer

Administrative Office of the Courts
Child Counsel Training (Wye Mills), October 10, 2019

Anne Arundel Community College Legal Studies Institute
Advanced Child Counsel Training (Planned & Presented) (Hanover), March 6, 2020

Complex Custody Cases During a Pandemic, June 12, 2020
Co-presented with: Syretta R. James, PhD

Attorney Lunch & Learn
What to Expect when a Best Interest Attorney, Child Privilege, July 13, 2020
Or Child Advocate Attorney is involved with your Case

Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland
Third-party Custody, Guardianship, and other Legal Strategies to Provide, October 15, 2020
Rights for Non-biological Parents

Judicial College of Maryland, Administrative Office of the Courts
Family Law University – Alimony & Child Support Workgroups, December 3, 2020
Co-Presented with Hon. Donna M. Schaeffer

Maryland State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section
Finding Your Niche Through Successful Mentorship, February 12, 2021
Co-Presented with Shuaa Tajammul

Maryland State Bar Association
Best Interest Attorney Training, April 23, 2021

Judicial College of Maryland, Administrative Office of the Courts
Family Law University – Alimony & Child Support Workgroups, September 22, 2021
Co-Presented with Hon. Donna M. Schaeffer

3^rd Annual Magistrate Conference
Child Support: What We Know & What We Don’t, September 30, 2021

Judicial College of Maryland, Administrative Office of the Courts
Third Party Custody Issues, October 7, 2021
Co-Presented with Hon. Donna M. Schaeffer and Mag. Timothy P. Thurtle

Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland, November 18, 2021
Presentation on Relocation Cases

Maryland State Bar Association
Best Interest Attorney Training, April 7, 2022

Bar Association of Frederick County, May 4, 2022
Mediation Skills Refresher:  Trans Children

Bar Association of Frederick County, Family Law Section
Constructive Civil Contempt after Breonna C, May 25, 2022
Co-Presented with Hon. Richard Sandy & Magistrate Joanie Raymond

Judicial College of Maryland, Administrative Office of the Courts
Family Law University – Alimony & Child Support Workgroups, September 21, 2022
Co-Presented with Hon. Donna M. Schaeffer & Magistrate Mistey Metzgar

Judicial College of Maryland, Administrative Office of the Courts
Magistrate’s Conference
Breonna C:  Old News or New News? September 29, 2022
Co-Presented with Hon. Kevin Arthur

Divorce 101:  Before You Separate, October 11, 2022

Podcasts

How has COVID-19 impacted divorce cases? September 11, 2020
Co-presented with Stephen A. Friedman

When Divorce, Infidelity, Harassment & the Workplace mix: Issues to Look Out For, March 5, 2021
Co-presented with Erika Jacobsen White

Awards

Bar Association of Montgomery County, Committee Chair of the Year, Technology Committee 2008

Montgomery County, Maryland, Bar Foundation, Bar Leader 2008

Maryland Women’s Bar Association, Member of the Year 2008-2009

Maryland Bar Foundation, Bar Leader 2018
Super Lawyers, Rising Stars 2010 – 2012

Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers 2014 – 2022

• Top 50 Women 2022
• Top 100 Lawyers 2022

Best Lawyers in America, 2024

Continuing Legal Education Attended

(Starting January 2008)

Administrative Office of the Courts Child Counsel Training, January 8, 2008

AAML, Institute for Family Law Associates, June 19-20, 2008

Divorce Accounting & Valuation Issues, October 16, 2008

MICPEL, Forty-Hour Skills-Based Training Course in Civil Mediation, October 23-26, 2008

MCBA, Deposition Practice, Tips for the Seasoned Practitioner, November 5, 2008

MCBA, How to Use a Business Valuation and Economic Experts at Trial, December 3, 2008

MCBA, Use of Binding Arbitration in Family Law Cases, March 26, 2009

MICPEL, Three Day Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training, May 20-22, 2009

MCBA, Special Issues When Litigating Against a Self-Represented Litigant, September 30, 2009

MCBA, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders-Practice Pointers and Pitfalls, October 1, 2009

MCBA, Mediation Confidentiality, October 14, 2009

MCBA, Grandparent and Third Party Visitation after Barrett v. Ayres, October 22, 2009

MCBA, How to Prepare for a Pendente Lite Hearing, November 12, 2009

MICPEL, Family Law Practice Program, January 15, 2010

MCBA, Family Law Update, April 8, 2010

MCBA, Boilerplate Provisions, April 27, 2010

CDA, The Collaborative End Game, April 23, 2010

CDRP, Jumpstarting your Collaborative Practice, May 5, 2010

MCBA, Rules of Evidence in Family Law, May 14, 2010

Collaborative Practice Training Institute, Parenting Plan in Collaborative Practice, May 15, 2010

Maryland Collaborative Practice Council, 3^rd Annual Symposium, June 4, 2010

National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Deposition and Pretrial Skills, August 4-6, 2010

Administrative Office of the Courts Child Counsel Training, September 28, 2010

MCBA, Best Interest Attorney and Child Privilege Attorney Issues, November 8, 2010

MCBA, What is Professionalism? November 16, 2010

MCBA, New Practitioner Mediation Advocacy, January 12, 2011

CDRP, The Benefits of Collaborative Practice in Cases Involving Special Needs Children, January 24, 2011

Inns of Court, Disaster Planning, February 8, 2011

CDA, Top Ten Myths about Collaborative Law, February 17, 2011

MCBA, Understanding the New Child Support Guidelines, March 2, 2011

MCBA, Annual Family Law Update, March 23, 2011

CDA, Challenges in Spousal Support in Collaborative Cases, March 31, 2011

Inns of Court, Mental Health Experts, April 12, 2011

Privileges in Family Law Case, May 9, 2011

Pro Bono Training, June, 2011

UCCJEA, November 16, 2011

Hot Tips/Topics in Family Law, March 2, 2012

Impact of Different Trusts on Families, Domestic Cases and Support and Property Settlements, March 28, 2012

Complex Issues for BIA's, April 17, 2012

Unique Approaches in Collaborative Divorce, April 20, 2012

MCBA, Family Law Update, April 25, 2012

Delving into the Heart of Conflict, May 3, 2012

MCBA, Representing Older Adults in Family Law Related Matters October, 18, 2012

Administrative Office of the Courts Child Counsel Training, December 12, 2012

Inns of Court, Evidence, January 8, 2013

Inns of Court, Ethics, February 12, 2013

Adoption from A to Z, March 7, 2013

Inns of Court, GPS/Snooping/Legality of Surveillance, March 12, 2013

The Mediation Center 20-Hour Parenting and Child Access Issues Mediation Training, March 18-19, 2013

Inns of Court, Same Sex Marriage, April 9, 2013

MCBA, Family Law Update, April 16, 2013

Electronic Spying and Tracking Spouses in Divorce: Admissibility and Privacy Issues
—Navigating Evidentiary Issues with Spyware, GPS Trackers, Cell Phone Forensics, May 7, 2013
Wiretaps, Social Media and More" Webinar

MCBA, Presenting and Defending Alienation Cases, February 27, 2014

Evidentiary Challenges in Divorce Cases:  Traditional & Electronic Communications Webinar, March 13, 2014

MSBA ADR Section, Powerful Non-Defensive Communication, April 23, 2014

FJLSC, Alimony Workshop, May 30, 2014

Divorce Roundtable Retreat, September 22, 2014

MSBA, 47 Things Every Mediator & Collaborator Should Know, April 9, 2015

MCBA, Guardianship Training (6 Hours), May 19, & June 2, 2015

CCCC, Negotiation & Settlement, June 13, 2015

AFCC, Child Custody at a Crossroads, September 9, 2015

BAMC, Limited Scope of Representation Rule, September 29, 2015

MAJ, Intersection Between Family & Criminal Law, October 30, 2015

MAJ, Preparing & Negotiation Retirement Orders, November 15, 2015

MAJ, Intersection of Bankruptcy & Family Law, November 20, 2015

MSBA, Child Visitation Issues, December 4, 2015

BAMC, Mediation Recertification, March 10, 2016

Legislative Workshop, Bar Center Baltimore, January 5, 2016

BAMC Ethics CLE Webcast w/HC, February 5, 2016

MAJ Tech, February 26, 2016

MAJ CLE Family Law Section Seminar
How Family Law Judges Want You To Try Your Highest Conflict Cases, April 1, 2016

MAJ Breakfast Program Annual Membership Meeting, April 20, 2016

BAMC Law Day, April 22, 2016

AAML Tax CLE Webinar, April 27, 2016

Administrative Office of the Courts Child Counsel Training, April 28, 2016

FJLSC/MSBA Annual Meeting, June 15-19, 2016

Board of Governors Annual Conference of Bar Presidents, September 29- October 1, 2016

Ethics Update-What You Still Need to Know to Keep Your License, December 1, 2016

Women in Trial - Judge Battaglia, March 17, 2017

"Premarital Agreements –
Drafting and Negotiating from the Estates/Trusts and Family Law Perspectives” March 23, 2017

Collaborative Institute Program, April 28, 2017

BAMC - 123rd Annual Meeting & Law Day Celebration, May 5, 2017

MSBA Annual Meeting, June 14-18, 2017

AFCC Md. Chapter Educational Event, September 7, 2017

AFCC/AAML Conference- San Diego:
Advanced Issues in Child Custody: Evaluation, Litigation and Settlement, September 14-16, 2017

AAML Annual Symposium on Family Law, October 9, 2017

Conference of Bar Presidents Hyatt in Cambridge, October 26-28, 2017

AFCC Regional Conference- Milwaukee:
Beneath the Surface of High Conflict and Troubled Families, November 2-4, 2017

BAMC Law Day – Marriott. May 4, 2018

AFCC 55^th Annual Conference (Washington, D.C.), June 6-9, 2018
Compassionate Family Court Systems:  The Role of Trauma-Informed Jurisprudence

MSBA Annual Meeting, June 13-15, 2018

MSBA CLE Institute, August 22-23, 2018

AFCC Coercive Control; Anne Arundel Community College, September 21, 2018

MD Association for Justice Seminar - Alimony Updates for 2019, November 2, 2018

AFCC 13^th Symposium on Child Custody- Denver 
Guidelines and Standards and Rules, Oh My! November 8-10, 2018

AAML Annual Symposium, November 12, 2018

National Divorce Conference in Las Vegas/via video (by AAML and BVR), May 8-10, 2019

BAMC Law Day, May 31, 2019

Weinberg & Schwartz, L.L.C QDRO Roadshow Seminar, June 27, 2019

BAMC Mental Health Monday
“Coping With Difficult People And Its Impact On Your Emotional Health.” September 16, 2019

AFCC-AAML Conference- San Diego
Advanced Issues in Child Custody: Evaluation, Litigation and Settlement, September 19-21, 2019

AFCC-Maryland Chapter 5th Annual Educational Seminar, September 27, 2019

AAML Maryland Chapter Annual Symposium, October 24, 2019

AFCC Fall Conference- Pittsburgh
Integrating Research into Practice and Policy: The Impact on Families and Children, October 31- November 2, 2019

Judicial College of Maryland - Training of Trainers, November 5, 2019

Montgomery College, Get Your Groove Back: Mediator Refresher Training (4-hour), November 16, 2019

BAMC- Adoption 101: A New Adoption Practitioner's Tool Box, December 6, 2019

PBRC Academy Mentors: Litigation Skills Lunch & Learn: Avoiding Grievances & Other Pitfall, December 13, 2019

MSBA Elder Law and Disability Rights Section
Hot Topics in Adult Guardianship, February 19, 2020 

AFCC online discussion on COVID-19 and co-parenting, April 1, 2020
Co-parenting and Parenting Plans in a Tough Environment:
Giving Guidance When It's in Short Supply

MSBA "Emergency Mediation (Online Dispute Resolution) Town Hall", April 2, 2020

AFCC online discussion on Videoconferencing Best Practices, April 8, 2020
Videoconferencing for Family Dispute Resolution:
Best Practices, Ethics, and Bugaboos

MAJ Family Law Section Webinar: Handling Child Visitation Issues Amid a Pandemic, April 13, 2020

MSBA Webinar: Security of Online Video Platforms, April 13, 2020

MAJ Webinar: Zoom Through Quarantine, April 15, 2020

MAJ Webinar: Finding Hope and Resilience in the Midst of Uncertainty, April 16, 2020

The Mediation Center: Parenting Coordination Training, April 28-May 21, 2020

BAFC Four-Hour Mediator Recertification Seminar, April 29, 2020

AFCC Special Webinar Series on Parent-Child Contact Problems, May 12, 2020
Concepts, Controversies, and Conundrums of Parent-Child Contact Problems

AFCC Special Webinar Series on Parent-Child Contact Problems, May 14, 2020
Parental Alienation: In Search of Common Ground for a More Differentiated Theory

AFCC Special Webinar Series on Parent-Child Contact Problems, May 19, 2020
Dynamics, Not Diagnoses: Assessing and Responding to the
Best Interests of the Polarized Child

AFCC Special Webinar Series on Parent-Child Contact Problems, May 21, 2020
Multidisciplinary Programs for Prevention and Responding to Contact Failure:
Education, Early Identification, and Timely, Effective Judicial Intervention

AFCC Flash Webinar Series: Parenting Coordination, August 25-September 3, 2020
Featuring authors from the Family Court Review
July 2020 Special Issue on Parenting Coordination

AFCC 58^th Annual Conference, June, 2021

AFCC-AAML Conference, September 25, 2021

MD Association of Family and Conciliation Courts Zoom Webinar, October 7, 2021

AAML Annual Family Law Symposium, October 26, 2021

AFCC 29^th Annual Conference, May, 2022

MD Judiciary Webinar: Creating Compelling Presentations, August 24, 2022

Howard County Collaborative Professionals, November 7, 2022
Training with Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq.