Laurel Anchors

Previous Law Firm Name

• Laurel Anchors Attorney at Law

Law Firm Overview

I HAVE BEEN PRACTICING LAW SINCE 1991 IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

UPON FIRST  BECOMING LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW, I WORKED IN THE AREA OF IDEA (INDIVIDUAL WITH DISABILITIES IN OF EDUCATION ACT)  AS WELL AS OTHER DISCRIMINATION AREAS. Prior to becoming an attorney, I was a Speech and Language Pathologist and has some specialization within the schools. Thus,  it was a natural transition for me to work in this area. However, I had always been interested in our constitutional rights as it truly sets us apart from many other nations and I  wanted to expand my work in the employment area where there many inequities were prevalent.

Most of my work now, in the area of constitutional law and discrimination is in the workplace. The workplace is a vital arena for all of us and I have  worked in Discrimination, retaliation wages and contracts. In addition practicing in an adversarial role, I applaud and use alternate means of resolving conflicts and wrongs in the workplace including mediation and collaborative law. I practice before the state Courts, Federal Courts and the administrative agencies (i.e. EEOC, Human Relations Commissions etc)

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION: DISCRIMINATION BASED ON TITLE VII (RACE RELIGION NATIONAL ORIGIN ,GENDER AND RETALIATION), 1987 (RACE), DISABILITY (ADA, REHABILITATION ACT), ADEA (AGE), FMLA,
FLSA AND THE CORRESPONDING STATE AND COUNTY CODES FOR DC AND MARYLAND.
 
I keep current in these areas and belong to the Metropolitan Washington Area Employment law Association (MWELA) and the Montgomery Count and Maryland Bar Employment law Committees. I worked as the Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Montgomery County Bar for four years and continue to closely monitor legislation in these areas.

MY SECOND LARGE AREA OF PRACTICE IS  FAMILY LAW specifically, CUSTODY, VISITATION (ACCESS), CHILD SUPPORT, ALIMONY, PROPERTY DIVISION, MONETARY AWARDS AND DIVORCE. I am strongly in favor of resolving most of these disputes by agreement (MEDIATION NEGOTIATION and COLLABORATIVE LAW), wherever possible. I am always acting as an strong advocate for my client (s), regardless of the path we take toward a resolution of issues.  When it is not preferable or not possible to reach an agreement, I shall be a strong advocate for my client in the adversarial proceeding.

My prior experience in the areas of Speech pathology and disabilities of children in school has given me another wider perspective of the needs of children which strongly impacts the family dynamic. I have also worked as a Family Counselor when still in my previous profession. I am a member of the Family Section of the Montgomery County Bar and the Maryland Bar

THE FINAL MAJOR AREA OF MY PRACTICE IS IN IMMIGRATION. I assist businesses and individuals in the employment area obtain nonimmigrant status of J and H-1B as well as in Labor Certification and Permanent Residency. I have also assisted in obtaining Permanent Residency through Family Preference and Refugee (Asylum) status. I am member of the Immigration Section of the Montgomery County Bar and have in the past been a member of the  American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) and continue to monitor legislation in this area.

I believe, as a free society which supports the rights of individuals and strives to bring the best to the most, it is essential to understand our laws: the limits of the law and the limits that the law puts on human action and interaction. These limits may be positive as well as negative, necessary or unnecessary. Our society and the body of  human knowledge has become so complex that few of us can know enough about our own professions as well as the legal system under which we live. I have chosen to practice in the Legal profession and these areas of the legal profession because of the importance of  liberty and justice in civilization. I hope we can all improve the world in which we live and my road is the legal pathway to justice.

Other areas of practice have included: Chapter 7 and 13 Bankruptcy, Health Care Provider Contracts and Simple Wills.

In the early part of my career, I volunteered at the Anti-Defamation League at B’nai B’rith doing intake claims and at the States Attorney’s Office in Montgomery County Maryland as a District Court Screener (Screening cases for Alternate Dispute Resolution).

Areas of Practice

• Administrative Law
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Child Support
• Civil Rights
• Constitutional Law
• Custody & Visitation
• Discrimination
• Divorce
• Employment Law -- Employee
• Family Law
• Sexual Harassment
• Immigration

Pro Bono Activities

• Assisting Elderly Russian Refugees Attain Citizenship Status
• Mediation at the District Court for Montgomery County Maryland
• Assist at the Montgomery County Pro Bono Clinic
• Referral from Montgomery County Pro Bono List

West Practice Categories

Administrative, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Child Custody, Child Support, Civil Rights, Discrimination, Divorce, Employment, Family Law, Immigration, Sexual Harassment