Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Bethesda, MD
Lerch Early is a regional, full-service law firm with 75 years of experience serving clients in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia. Founded in 1949, our team of 75 lawyers is dedicated to providing excellent legal services for fair and reasonable compensation while prioritizing client objectives through reliable, straightforward, and practical advice. Our guiding principles emphasize quality, trust, ethics, and professionalism, supported by a culture of inclusion and a commitment to community involvement. We maintain active diversity initiatives and collaborate with global legal networks like TAGLaw and Meritas to deliver comprehensive solutions.Our attorneys specialize in cross-jurisdictional challenges, offering expertise in commercial lending, real estate, family law, litigation, and more. We combine the personalized attention of a boutique firm with the resources of a national practice, ensuring clients receive strategic counsel tailored to their unique needs. Our focus on innovation is demonstrated through partnerships like Howard Universitys $144 million campus revitalization project. We maintain offices in Bethesda, Bowie, and Falls Church to better serve the Washington, DC metro area.
Services
Commercial Lending
Community Associations
Corporate Tax
Divorce Law
Education Law
Employment Law
Estate Planning
Zoning Law
Litigation
Real Estate
Details
- Year established: 1949
Highlights and features
- We offer 75 years of legal experience in the Washington, DC metro area
- Our attorneys combine boutique-style personalization with national resources
- We maintain active diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Our firm participates in global legal networks like TAGLaw and Meritas
- We provide strategic counsel for complex cross-jurisdictional challenges
What people say
Excellent legal services
Responsive attorneys
Successful outcomes
Strategic solutions
Ethical practice
Services
Real Estate Law
Our real estate attorneys handle complex transactions across Maryland, DC, and Virginia. We represent developers, property owners, and institutions in acquisitions, sales, leasing, and development projects. Our experience includes mixed-use developments, high-end residential properties, and commercial leasing negotiations. We provide comprehensive counsel from entity formation through closing, including title insurance services and construction contract drafting.
Family Law
Our family law practice resolves complex divorce and custody matters in Maryland and DC. We handle alimony, asset division, child support, and post-divorce modifications using negotiation, mediation, and litigation strategies. Our attorneys coordinate with specialists in real estate and tax law when needed, focusing on protecting clients' children, assets, and dignity throughout the process.
Commercial Lending
We represent lenders and borrowers in asset-based, commercial real estate, and SBA loan transactions exceeding $1 billion annually. Our services include loan documentation, workouts, and local counsel opinions. We help financial institutions navigate Maryland-specific regulations while maintaining compliance with federal standards and reducing risk exposure.
Community Associations
We counsel 350+ community associations on governance, covenant enforcement, and dispute resolution. Our services include document drafting, transition from developer control, and 24/7 legal consultation. We specialize in Fair Housing compliance, assessment collections, and insurance claim management for condominiums and homeowners associations.
Zoning and Land Use
As Maryland's largest land use practice, we secure zoning approvals and permits for developers and property owners. Our services include master planning, rezoning, environmental compliance, and eminent domain representation. We maintain strong relationships with local governments to facilitate project approvals for commercial, residential, and mixed-use developments.
People
Ruth O. Katz
Managing Partner
With decades of legal experience, Ruth O. Katz leads Lerch Early's strategic direction while maintaining active practice in corporate law. She oversees the firm's commitment to diversity and community service, ensuring alignment with our founding principles of excellence and ethical practice.
Curtis L. Sano
Principal
Real estate attorney Curtis Sano specializes in commercial transactions and development projects. He advises clients on property acquisitions, leasing agreements, and zoning compliance, leveraging his expertise to facilitate complex deals across the Washington, DC metro area.
Erin L. Kopelman
Principal
Family law specialist Erin Kopelman represents clients in high-stakes divorce and custody cases. Recognized as Bethesda's top family law attorney, she combines negotiation skills with trial experience to protect clients' interests in Maryland and DC courts.
Lynette Kleiza
Principal
Lynette Kleiza focuses on family law matters, including complex financial divisions and child custody arrangements. As a member of The Daily Record's Family Law Power List, she provides strategic counsel for high-net-worth individuals and business owners.
Paula A. Calimafde
Principal
Estate planning attorney Paula Calimafde helps clients protect assets through tailored trusts and tax-efficient strategies. Recognized in The Daily Record's Estate and Trust Power List, she combines tax law expertise with personalized service for individuals and families.
Questions
What practice areas does Lerch Early specialize in?
We specialize in commercial lending, real estate, family law, litigation, community associations, zoning/land use, estates and trusts, and corporate tax matters across Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia.
Does Lerch Early offer virtual consultations?
While not explicitly stated, our online payment portal and multiple communication channels suggest we offer remote consultation options for client convenience.
What makes Lerch Early different from other law firms?
We combine boutique-style personalization with national resources, maintaining 75 years of regional expertise while participating in global legal networks like TAGLaw and Meritas.
How does Lerch Early handle complex legal challenges?
Our attorneys collaborate across practice areas to develop strategic solutions, leveraging 75 years of experience and industry-specific knowledge to address complex commercial, real estate, and litigation matters.
What community initiatives does Lerch Early support?
We maintain active diversity initiatives, pro bono programs, and local chamber involvement. Our attorneys hold leadership roles in community organizations and provide pro bono legal services annually.
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