April 23, 2023
Jan White retired at the end of 2022 after 50 years of practicing law, 32 of them at Pasternak & Fidis as a family lawyer. In her early years of law practice, she was a trial lawyer at Legal Aid in Durham, NC, and then at Hogan Lovells (then Hogan & Hartson) in DC. She […]
December 15, 2022
Sure, we know our lawyers are “super,” but it’s sure nice when other people notice. The 2023 Maryland Super Lawyer List is out, and Partners Anne Coventry and Stephanie Perry were highlighted for their Estate Planning and Probate work, while partners Linda Ravdin and Anne (Jan) W. White were listed as Family Law Super Lawyers. […]
August 29, 2022
Washingtonian published its Top Lawyers Hall of Fame in the September 2022 edition, and three of our partners are on it: Jan White, Linda Ravdin, and Anne Coventry. Calling it their “Lifetime Achievement Honor Roll,” the magazine notes that attorneys made it to this list by being selected as a Top Lawyer 10 of the […]
May 20, 2022
Managing Partner Stephanie Perry was installed as President of the Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland on Friday, May 20, at the 128th Annual Meeting and Law Day for the association. Before the crowd of over three hundred people, Stephanie spoke with 82nd Attorney General of the United States, Eric H. Holder, Jr. They discussed […]
May 13, 2022
Managing Partner Stephanie Perry is on the Board of Trustees of the Washington School for Girls, and Pasternak & Fidis has supported the school for years. We are excited to help them celebrate their 25th anniversary. A local news station covered the anniversary and the school’s positive mission and message, and we can’t be more […]
March 24, 2022
Partner Stephanie Perry was a panelist on the Washington, D.C. Estate Planning Council’s recent discussion at Howard Law, entitled “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way,” part of the Council’s Student Education Series. Stephanie was one of four panelists who discussed closing the racial wealth gap through a career in estate planning. Over 90 students […]
March 18, 2022
Associate Roxy Araghi was a guest on the D.C. Baw Law Student Community Podcast, called “Let’s Brief It.” The episode explored the importance of estate planning, even for those who don’t fall under the “ultra wealthy” category, and whether it’s okay to let your estate go into probate. Listen to this great primer on estate […]
March 1, 2022
Partners Stephanie Perry and Anne Coventry were listed among the top Financial Advisors (in the Estate Planning category) in Washingtonian’s March 2022 issue. Congratulations to both Anne and Stephanie!
December 23, 2021
Pasternak & Fidis once again made a financial contribution in support of Manna Food Center of Montgomery. Manna strives to end hunger in our area, not just through food distribution, but also through education and advocacy.
December 17, 2021
Pasternak & Fidis again received accolades from Super Lawyers, a publication honoring attorneys who have achieved a “high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.” The following attorneys were listed as Super Lawyers in Maryland for 2022: Estate Planning and Probate: Anne Coventry and Stephanie Perry Family Law: Linda Ravdin and Jan White Congratulations to all. Special kudos to Anne Coventry […]
December 17, 2021
As part of our annual holiday giving push, Pasternak & Fidis employees generously donated essentials and gifts to a teen mother and her 8-month-old baby girl. We connected with this family through Hearts & Homes for Youth, a a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, mental health issues, homelessness and other […]
December 14, 2021
Congratulations to Anne Coventry, Stephanie Perry, Linda Ravdin, and Jan White for making Washingtonian Magazine List of 2020’s Top Lawyers!
December 2, 2021
Congratulations to partners Linda Ravdin, Jan White, and Vicki LaFree on being named to Washingtonian Magazine’s recent list of Top Divorce Lawyers in the DC metro area for another year. Linda has been on the list every year it has come out since 2004—that’s 15 years. Jan has been on the list since 2013 and […]
August 25, 2021
Best Lawyers, a peer-reviewed publication, and U.S. News have named several Pasternak & Fidis attorneys as the “best” in Bethesda, Maryland for 2021. In Family Law, Jan White, Linda Ravdin, and Vicki Viramontes-LaFree took top honors. Linda and Vicki were named as best in Family Law Mediation, while Jan was named among the best in […]
July 25, 2021
Anne Coventry was recently listed in the latest Chambers & Partners High Net Worth publication as a leading attorney in the field of Private Wealth in Washington, DC. This is the fifth year in a row Anne has received this distinction.
April 26, 2021
Partner Stephanie Perry has been confirmed as the President-Elect of the Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland. She will begin her term as President in Spring 2022. Congratulations, Stephanie!
April 2, 2021
Pasternak & Fidis condemns violence fueled by racialized and gender-based bias and stoked by misinformation. Black Lives Matter and we stand in support of the movement for Black lives. We stand also in support of the Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander community around us and around the nation. As human beings and as a law […]
March 30, 2021
Pasternak & Fidis, P.C. is proud to sign the CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Better Together Community Organization Pledge. We are committed to educating, encouraging, and supporting our employees, clients, and communities to get the COVID-19 vaccine when they are eligible and able. #BetterTogetherPledge To learn how you can support the national vaccine effort visit carefirst.com/bettertogetherpledge.
December 23, 2020
Congratulations to partners Anne Coventry and Stephanie Perry on being named “best in class” AGAIN, this time by Washingtonian Magazine. The publication just came out with its bi-annual list of Top Financial Advisers in the DC metropolitan region, and Stephanie and Anne made the list of best “Estate Attorneys.”
December 8, 2020
Partner Stephanie Perry interviewed author Rochelle Riley for a diversity and equality series sponsored by The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). The series aims to discuss Planning for a Diverse and Equitable Future, and Stephanie and Rochelle’s discussion centers on economic inequality in America. Stephanie shares her perspective as an estate planner, and Rochelle offers some concrete […]
February 20, 2020
Congratulations to Associate Roxy Araghi on becoming a member of the Maryland State Bar!
February 18, 2020
As part of the Estate Planning Committee of the D.C. Bar Taxation Community’s Estate Planning Lunch Series, Associates Christina Scopin and Micah Snitzer presented “Back to Basics: Giving Power to Your Powers of Attorney.” Micah and Christina provided drafting notes, effective tax and non-tax planning powers, and best practices to a live audience, as well […]
December 13, 2019
Thanks to our generous staff and attorneys in contributing gifts to a 12-member family, whom we adopted this holiday season through A Wider Circle in Silver Spring. AWC does such wonderful work in our community to reduce poverty in Montgomery County. We are happy to help make one family’s holiday a little brighter.
December 11, 2019
Pasternak & Fidis again received accolades from Super Lawyers, a publication honoring attorneys who have achieved a “high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.” The following attorneys were listed as Super Lawyers or Rising Stars in Maryland for 2020: Estate Planning and Probate: Anne Coventry, Marcia Fidis, Al Pasternak, Stephanie Perry, Christina Scopin, and Micah […]
November 4, 2019
Bethesda Magazine recognized five of our partners as top attorneys in Montgomery County: Anne Coventry, Stephanie Perry, and Adam Swaim in the field of Trusts and Estates, and Linda Ravdin and Jan White in the field of Divorce/Family law. Congratulations to all five attorneys!
October 14, 2019
Pasternak & Fidis closed its doors on October 14, 2019, so that our attorneys and staff could work together to help out our fabulous neighbors at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring, Maryland. A Wider Circle aims to eliminate poverty with various programs that help our neighbors get jobs and gain stable housing, while also […]
September 30, 2019
Partner Stephanie Perry participated as a speaker at the Mid-Atlantic Regional ACTEC meeting, where she and other panelists addressed “Planning to Avoid Conflict in Blended Families,” which included a discussion of (i) choosing independent fiduciaries, (ii) prioritizing the balancing of conflicting interests over tax efficiency, (iii) using no-contest clauses, and (iv) planning for what happens when […]
August 15, 2019
Best Lawyers, a peer-reviewed publication, and U.S. News have named several Pasternak & Fidis attorneys as the “best” in Bethesda, Maryland for 2020. In Family Law, Jan White, Linda Ravdin, and Vicki Viramontes-LaFree took top honors. Linda and Vicki were named as best in Family Law Mediation, while Jan was named among the best in […]
July 19, 2019
Pasternak & Fidis, PC was recently listed in the latest Chambers & Partners High Net Worth publication as a leading firm in the field of Private Wealth in Washington, DC. Anne Coventry was singled out as a “Notable Practitioner.”
May 23, 2019
Pasternak & Fidis was a Corporate Host of the “Sweet Success” fundraising event to support Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital. Partner Anne Coventry and Legal Administrator Lori Bernstein attended the event, along with their Daisy Girl Scout daughters. The event championed the impact of the Girl Scouts on our region as well as national […]
April 21, 2019
The annual list of Washington, DC’s Super Lawyers is out, and estate planning partner Anne Coventry is among the Top 100 Attorneys and Top 50 Female Attorneys in the city! This announcement follows on the heels of her inclusion on the list of Maryland’s Top 100 Attorneys and Top 50 Female Attorneys for the second […]
March 19, 2019
Partner Anne Coventry was profiled in the March 2019 D.C. Bar’s Washington Lawyer magazine in their Day in the Life series. Every day, we see how Anne deftly transitions from home to office to volunteering to parenting to taking a leadership role in the state bar. Now you can read more about Anne, and see […]
February 6, 2019
Partners Stephanie Perry and Adam Swaim participated in the DC Bar Estate Planning Tax Committee Lunch Series. Their presentation was entitled: “Don’t Trip Up the Step-Up: The Importance of Basis Adjustment Planning.” They highlighted various basis adjustment planning strategies that can be implemented in an estate plan to maximize step-up in basis and minimize capital […]
June 27, 2018
Partner Adam Swaim participated in a panel at Round House Theatre on Tuesday, June 26, discussing recent tax law changes, legacy planning, and the advantages of charitable giving. Other panelists included Michael Beriss, Private Wealth Advisor, Ameriprise, and Brad L. Mendelson, CPA, MST, Mendelson & Mendelson, CPAs.
June 25, 2018
Bethesda Magazine recognized partners Anne Coventry and Stephanie Perry as two of the top estate planning attorneys in Montgomery County. Associates Micah Snitzer and Christina Scopin were also named Rising Stars in their field. Congratulations to all four attorneys!
June 5, 2018
Pasternak & Fidis is sad to share that our beloved partner, mentor, and friend Nancy Fax passed away on June 4, 2018. She was diagnosed in May with stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had already spread to her liver. Though she originally planned to begin chemotherapy and expected to be able to keep working for […]
April 30, 2018
Partner Morriah Horani recently presented at a conference put on by the Maryland State Bar Association’s Estate and Trust Section and Continuing Legal Education Department entitled Fiduciary Litigation: Contested Wills, Trusts, Inter Vivos Transfers and Guardianships. Together with Clinical Psychiatrist Dr. Guillermo Portillo, M.D., Morriah spoke on the topic of “Mental Capacity: Standards, Nature and Evaluation of Testing.”
March 28, 2018
Anne Coventry and Linda Ravdin were the faculty for the D.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education program, “Premarital Agreements: Planning for Death and Divorce.” The program included discussion of spousal rights when parties marry without a premarital agreement, the law of validity, conducting the initial consultation with the potential client, conflicts of interest and other ethical […]
January 16, 2018
On January 12, 2018, the Maryland Association for Justice sponsored a breakfast seminar, “Challenging and Defending Premarital Agreements.” Divorce and Family Law Group partner Linda Ravdin was one of the speakers, taking the side of the defending party and presenting the law and strategy in representing a divorcing spouse seeking to have the court uphold […]
December 21, 2017
In honor of the three babies born to our employees this year, Pasternak & Fidis held a Diaper Drive to benefit the Greater DC Diaper Bank, whose main warehouse is located here in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Diaper Bank does fabulous work, not just supplying diapers and wipes, but so many items useful in the […]
December 4, 2017
Washingtonian’s list of Top Lawyers in 2017 is out, and five Pasternak & Fidis have made the grade. Under the Divorce and Family Law category, partners Linda Ravdin, Vicki Viramontes-LaFree, and Jan White were named. Partners Anne Coventry and Nancy Fax made the list of Top Trusts and Estates attorneys. Congratulations to all of our […]
October 23, 2017
Congratulations to partner Stephanie Perry for her election as a Fellow to the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Members of ACTEC are nominated and elected based on “demonstrating the highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence and experience as trust and estate counselors.” We are thrilled that Stephanie’s excellence and […]
October 1, 2017
Pasternak & Fidis is proud to continue support for the Washington School for Girls. Several attorneys and their guests attended WSG’s gala at Trinity Washington to celebrate 20 years of Courage. Partner Stephanie Perry, pictured (center) in the photo below with husband Tracy and WSG President Dr. Beth Reaves, serves on the Board of Trustees […]
September 29, 2017
Partner Morriah Horani was recently admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Jan White, who was admitted to practice in this court in 1997, sponsored her admission. Morriah’s admission to federal practice will expand her estate and trust litigation practice.
September 28, 2017
Best Lawyers named Jan White the “Collaborative Law: Family Law” Lawyer of the Year in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Because the publication uses peer nominations to develop its selective list, we are especially proud of this recognition. Please join us in congratulating Jan! In addition to the above honor, our firm’s attorneys have also been […]
September 27, 2017
Partner Jan White was admitted to the International Academy of Family Lawyers, a worldwide association of practicing lawyers who are recognized by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law practitioners in their respective countries. Members are admitted by invitation only.
June 14, 2017
Partner Jan White recently participated in a three-day training of other professionals in Collaborative Resolution of probate disputes, the first training of its kind in the country sponsored by a court. The newly trained attorneys will resolve disputes in Prince George’s County Orphan’s court on behalf of unrepresented litigants. The Collaborative Process, now widely used in […]
June 1, 2017
On June 1, 2017, Stephanie Perry testified before the D.C. Council Judiciary & Public Safety Committee. Stephanie advocated for the adoption of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act in Washington, D.C., and proposed changes to the uniform legislation that would provide increased protection for the District’s residents and clarity for attorneys practicing in the District.
May 10, 2017
The word “service” has special meaning at Pasternak & Fidis – and it applies to community involvement as well as to our clients and to our profession. In recognition of the firm’s commitment to community service, we closed our offices on May 9th for a day of volunteer work at Red Wiggler Community Farm. We […]
April 26, 2017
Nancy Fax and Jan White were among the Top 50 Women Layers in the 2017 Washington DC Super Lawyers rankings. We’re proud that their excellence is recognized by the larger legal community. You can find a more comprehensive list of the honors and awards we’ve gotten over the years here.
April 23, 2017
We were thrilled to support our community partner, A Wider Circle, in their Race to End Poverty at Meadowbrook Park on April 23! We gathered a team of 24 employees, family, and friends to run in the 5k race, walk/run in the 1-miler, or participate in the ‘tot trot.’ We felt good taking steps to […]
March 9, 2017
We are thrilled that our long-time community partner and neighbor, Round House Theatre, has been recognized by the Washington Post for its “adventurous programming” and inspiring leadership. We’ve been partnering with Round House for eight seasons now, and it’s gratifying to see the accolades rolling in for their “rousingly accomplished plays.” See more about how […]
January 31, 2017
On January 27, 2017, partner Jan White taught the Maryland State Bar Divorce Tax Workshop to over 75 attorneys from across the state. The presentation covered such issues as tax consequences with respect to transfers of employee benefits, including stock options and retirement plans; transfer of property and payment of support between divorcing spouses; and […]
January 31, 2017
Partner Anne Coventry spoke at the 51st annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning in early January, on the subject of estate planning for digital property. In addition, she serves on the Section Council for the Estates & Trust Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association, as a member of its Legislative Committee; over the […]
December 19, 2016
Super Lawyers has come out with its annual listing of top Maryland attorneys in 2017. Estate Planning and Administration partner Nancy Fax and Divorce and Family Law partner Jan White were both named to the publication’s Top 100 Lawyers in Maryland. Jan, Nancy and Linda Ravdin were also listed among the Top 50 Women in the […]
November 28, 2016
On October 20, 2016, Vicki Viramontes-LaFree, partner in the Divorce and Family Law Group, participated in a panel as part of Suburban Hospital’s Estate Planning Journal Club Speaker Series. The subject was “Grey Divorce: From the Legal, Financial and Mental Health Perspectives.” In 2013, a study found that the divorce rate after age 50 doubled […]
November 28, 2016
Jan White and Linda Ravdin were named yet again on Washingtonian’s list of Washington’s Top Divorce Lawyers. Congratulations, Linda and Jan!
October 14, 2016
Best Lawyers, a publication that relies on peer nominations to cultivate its annual lists, recognized our partners in its 2017 in Maryland in their respective fields: Jan White in Collaborative Law: Family Law Jan White, Vicki Viramontes-LaFree and Linda Ravdin in Family Law Nancy Fax, Al Pasternak and Marcia Fidis in Trusts and Estates Al […]
October 14, 2016
Best Lawyers named partner Nancy Fax the Trust and Estates Lawyer of the Year in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Because the publication uses peer nominations to develop its selective list, we are especially proud of this recognition. Congratulations, Nancy!
October 4, 2016
For several years running, Pasternak & Fidis has contributed to A Wider Circle’s annual gala event, the Community Ball. Along with their spouses and partners, Alex Tanouye, Stephanie Perry and Nancy Fax attended the ball this year to show their support for the organization and its persistent efforts to eliminate poverty in the Washington Metro region. […]
August 29, 2016
Pasternak & Fidis, PC was recently listed in the latest Chambers & Partners High Net Worth publication as a leading firm in the field of Private Wealth in Washington, DC. Anne Coventry and Nancy Fax were singled out as “Notable Practitioners.”
May 13, 2016
Partner Jan White was recognized in the Washington Post as one of D.C.’s Top 50 Women attorneys for 2016 by Super Lawyers. According to Super Lawyers, the Top 50 Women “ranked highest in the 2016 Washington DC Super Lawyers nomination, research and blue ribbon panel review process.”
May 13, 2016
On May 3, 2016, partner Linda Ravdin participated as a faculty member at the Kanawha County (West Virginia) Family Law Bench Bar Committee’s annual Continuing Legal Education program. Her topic was “Premarital Agreements: Representing the Dominant Party; Representing the Weaker Party.” Linda is the author of Premarital Agreements: Drafting and Negotiation, published by the American […]
May 12, 2016
The Washington School for Girls has elected partner Stephanie Perry to serve on its Board of Trustees. WSG is an all-girls, tuition-free private school located in Anacostia, DC that provides education and support to 3rd– through 8th-grade students and their families in order to prepare them for success in high school and beyond. Stephanie has […]
February 23, 2016
Partner Stephanie Perry participated as a speaker at the Maryland State Bar Association’s February 23, 2016 continuing legal education program entitled “Using and Drafting Trusts in Estate Planning.”
February 19, 2016
On February 18, Anne Coventry testified before the Maryland Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of SB239, Maryland Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act.
February 4, 2016
In February, Anne W. Coventry, a partner in the Estate Planning & Administration Group, testified before a meeting of the Maryland House Health & Governmental Operations Committee in Annapolis in support of the Maryland Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act (HB531). This legislation is critically important to ensure that (i) online service providers cannot seize […]
February 1, 2016
The Washingtonian magazine’s “Faces of Washington 2016” series hit news stands this month. Catch a glimpse of our Estate Planning team here: Pasternak & Fidis as Washingtonian’s Face of Estate Planning, p. 148
January 4, 2016
For yet another year, Pasternak & Fidis received accolades from Super Lawyers, a publication honoring attorneys who have achieved a “high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.” Jan White was selected as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Lawyers. Jan, Linda Ravdin and Nancy Fax were named to the Maryland Top 50 Women Lawyers, as well […]
December 5, 2015
In its December 2015 issue, Washingtonian magazine named Anne Coventry and Nancy Fax as Top Lawyers in the field of Trusts and Estates, and Linda Ravdin and Jan White were noted as Top Lawyers in the realm of Divorce and Family Law.
November 4, 2015
Partners Nancy Fax, Stephanie Perry, and Vicki Viramontes-LaFree were sworn in to the Virginia State Bar at the Supreme Court of Virginia in Richmond. All three partners are now admitted to practice in Maryland, DC and Virginia.
August 24, 2015
Divorce and Family Law Group partner Morriah Horani has been selected to the Judicial Screening Committee of the Fairfax Bar Association for 2015-2016. The FBA Judicial Screening Committee is charged with evaluating candidates seeking appointment to the Fairfax Circuit, General District and Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courts. The nine committee members, recommended by the […]
August 8, 2015
Stephanie Perry, partner in the Estate Planning and Administration Group, was re-elected as a member of the Steering Committee of the Estate, Trusts and Probate Section of the D.C. Bar. In addition, Stephanie will serve as Secretary for the Committee and Chair of the Legislation and CLE Sub-Committees for the 2015-2016 year.
July 1, 2015
Anne Coventry, partner in the Estate Planning and Administration Group, was elected President of the Estate Planning Council of Montgomery County, Maryland. Anne’s colleague and fellow partner in the Estate Planning and Administration Group, Alex Tanouye, was elected as Secretary/Vice-President of the Council.
February 4, 2015
Ten lawyers from Pasternak & Fidis were selected for inclusion in Washington, DC Super Lawyers for 2015. Partners N. Alfred Pasternak, Marcia Fidis, Nancy Fax, Linda Ravdin, Anne (Jan) White and Anne Coventry, were all picked for inclusion in the Super Lawyers list. Partners Morriah Horani, Stephanie Perry and Alex Tanouye were named on the Rising […]
