-
tion, property distribution, business and pension
evaluations, the tax consequences of divorce
and property distribution, uncontested divorce,
adoption, and prenuptial agreements. in conjunc-
tion with our real estate transactions and
Business and taxation groups, we provide advice
and representation in related areas, such as real
property and tax and estate planning.
in addition to our depth of experience in
litigating domestic issues, our attorneys are also
experienced in mediation, both in advising clients
throughout that process and serving as mediators.
our professionals also practice in the increasingly
popular process of collaborative law.
ResoluTion and liTigaTion
our professionals understand that domestic
disagreements are inherently stressful, and can be
time-consuming and costly. our attorneys focus
on achieving the most expeditious and finan-
cially sound resolution for each situation. ideally,
negotiations or other collaborative resolutions
will lead to an amicable closure without the need
for litigation. in those instances, however, where
an agreement cannot be reached, our family law
litigators provide advocacy skills as they protect
your interests throughout the legal process.
MediaTion
Mediation can be a highly successful method for
amicably resolving issues arising during divorce.
it is often less costly, both financially and emotion-
ally, and typically allows disputes to be resolved
more quickly than litigation. additionally, media-
tion is a confidential process that allows the parties
involved to control the outcome. During the media-
tion process, a neutral third party mediator assists
the parties in reaching consensus by identifying
issues and exploring alternative options for resolu-
tion. our attorneys represent our clients through
the process and are frequently called upon to serve
as the mediator in cases of others.
CollaboRaTive law
the Family Law Group at Lerch, early & Brewer
are pioneers in the growing field of collaborative
divorce. collaborative divorce, like mediation,
Family Law
P r a c t i c e G r o u P
our attorneys are highly
experienced in all aspects of
family law (including) complex
settlements, collaborative
resolutions, and trials. provides a way for the parties to resolve a domestic
conflict without litigation. in collaborative proceed-
ings, counsel and both parties are bound by an
agreement not to pursue litigation, and counsel
must remove themselves from the case should one
or both parties decide to take the dispute to court.
collaborative divorce helps to reduce much of the
stress and frustration commonly involved in domes-
tic disputes, and frequently provides a quicker and
less expensive resolution of disputes than litigation.
RepResenTaTive MaTTeRs


represented a number of individuals
through complex divorce and settlement
proceedings


Handled trials involving alimony, child
support, custody and visitation issues


Provided counsel to clients on the tax
issues and consequences related to divorce


represented individuals in litigation
concerning property distribution and
business and pension evaluations


assisted individuals with the drafting and
execution of pre-nuptial agreements


Served as court-appointed mediators in
numerous divorce matters


Provided counsel and represented clients
through collaborative divorce proceedings


represented individuals throughout the
mediation process


Worked with attorneys in our estate
Planning and Probate, taxation and
Litigation groups to provide counsel
and resolve issues for our clients deboRah e. ReiseR,
Chair

Ms. reiser is the Past-
President of the Maryland
chapter of the american
academy of Matrimonial
Lawyers. She is chair of the
Montgomery county Bar
associations Judicial Selec-
tions committee and is Past chair of the Family
Law Section, and has been secretary of the executive
committee of the association. Her practice includes
the litigation and negotiation of divorces, including
the identification, valuation and distribution of
property, alimony, child custody, child support,
mediation and arbitration, and related proceedings.
She has served on the Maryland State Bar
associations Family and Juvenile Law Section
council, and is a frequent lecturer in continuing
legal education for the state and local
bar associations and the Maryland chapter of
the american academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Ms. reiser has been an adjunct Professor of Family
Law at the National Law center of the George
Washington university. She is a Master of the Bench
of the Montgomery inns of court, is a Fellow in
the american academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and
is a Fellow in the american college of trial Lawyers.
Ms. reiser has been listed as one of the Best
Lawyers in america since 2002. Washingtonian
Magazine has selected her as one of the top divorce
lawyers in the Washington, D.c. Metropolitan area,
and she is rated aV by Martindale-Hubbell.
Ms. reiser is a member of the Maryland and District
of columbia bars.
phone
(301) 961-6094
Fax
(301) 347-1522
e-Mail
dereiser@lerchearly.com
deboRah l. webb,
PrinCiPal

Ms. Webb practices in the
areas of domestic relations,
litigation and guardianship
law. She was born in 1969
and received her B.a. degree,
cum laude, from Gettysburg
college in 1991. She received
her J.D. degree, cum laude, from the university of
Baltimore in 1994, where she received an american
Jurisprudence award for excellent achievement in
the study of contracts ii and the clinical excellence
award in the Family Law clinic. While in law
school, Ms. Webb interned with the Honorable
ellen M. Heller, circuit court Judge for Baltimore
city. She is a trained mediator in family law and
general matters.
Ms. Webb is a member of the Montgomery
county Bar association, Family Law Section
(co-chair 2002-2003); collaborative Divorce associ-
ation, inc.; Maryland State Bar association (Board
of Governors 2005 - present); District of columbia
Bar association, Family Law Section; Montgomery
county chapter of the Womens Bar association.
She is also a Barrister with the Montgomery inn of
court, where she serves on the executive committee.
She lectures at the Montgomery county Womens
commission on divorce, custody and support issues
and volunteers with the Pro Se Project, a Montgom-
ery county program created to assist litigants
without lawyers. Ms. Webb frequently facilitates
family law matters in circuit court for Montgomery
our Professionals county Maryland. She is rated aV by Martindale-
Hubbell and is admitted to practice in Maryland and
the District of columbia.
phone
(301) 657-0725
Fax
(301) 347-1523
e-Mail
dlwebb@lerchearly.com
Rhian McgRaTh,
assoCiate

Ms. McGrath was born in
Yorkshire, england in 1975,
and graduated from the
George Washington univer-
sity in Washington, D.c.
with a B.a. in criminal
Justice in 1997. in 2001,
Ms. McGrath received her J.D. from the catholic
university of america, columbus School of Law.
While in law school, she was a member of the
Moot court association and thurgood Marshall
american inns of court. upon completion of law
school, she served as a judicial clerk to the Honor-
able James L. ryan in the circuit court for
Montgomery county, Maryland. Before joining the
firm, Ms. McGrath was a litigation associate at
Shaffer, Bock & antonoplos, PLLc in Washington,
D.c., where she practiced complex civil litigation
including contract, commercial and real estate
disputes. Ms. McGrath is admitted to practice in
Maryland and the District of columbia.
phone
(301) 907-2804
Fax
(301) 347-3741
e-Mail
rmcgrath@lerchearly.com
elizabeTh J. weisbeRg,
of-Counsel

Ms. Weisberg practices
exclusively in the firms
Family Law Group. She was
born in 1950 and received
her B.a. from George
Washington university in
1972. She received her J.D.
with honors from George Washington universitys
National Law center in 1976. in addition to her
practice, from 1985 to 1986 Ms. Weisberg worked
with the american Bar associations child Support
Project educating attorneys, judges and court
personnel nationally on interstate child support
enforcement laws and procedures. Ms. Weisberg has
contributed to various legal publications on topics
including custody, evidence, long-arm jurisdiction
in interstate child support cases, and implementa-
tion of the child Support enforcement
amendments of 1984. Ms. Weisberg is trained in
divorce mediation and in collaborative law. She is
rated aV with Martindale-Hubbell, and is experi-
enced in all aspects of domestic relations practice.
Ms. Weisberg is admitted to practice in Maryland
and the District of columbia.
phone
(301) 657-0160
Fax
(301) 347-1524
e-Mail
ejweisberg@lerchearly.com
Suite 460
|
3 BetHeSDa Metro ceNter
|
BetHeSDa, MD 20814-5367
|
teL 301.986.1300
|
WWW.LercHearLY.coM
Practicing in:
Business and Taxation
Commercial Lending
Community Associations
Employment and Labor
Estate Planning and Probate
Family Law
Health Care
Land Use and Zoning
Litigation
Real Estate Transactions