Lerch, Early & Brewer

We take great pride in being the largest law firm with 100% membership in the Bar Association of Montgomery County, MD! Whether it's chairing committees, sponsoring and attending events, or engaging in numerous other ways, we value and encourage Bar membership for all of our attorneys.

We are thrilled to have joined the Meritas Law Firms Worldwide network this year as its Washington, DC metro area member firm! Kudos to Jessica Buonaccorsi Summers and Steven Robins for their leadership in this opportunity to assist other law firms and clients from across the country and around the world.

Every year (including on Zoom during the pandemic), Lerch Early observes Aloha Friday on the Friday before Labor Day. It's a day when our employees can wear their best Hawaiian shirt, get a lei, and enjoy special Hawaiian-style treats. The holiday is a sort of Casual Friday precursor where Hawaiians started wearing the iconic floral patterns in lieu of business attire in the hot, humid weather. We hope everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day holiday. See you in September!

Earlier this year, Gaithersburg commenced an initiative called “Build Gaithersburg 2040” to update the city’s master plan. The update focuses on two key master plan elements – land use and transportation. By updating these elements (last updated in 2011 and 2010, respectively), the city aims to guide development and infrastructure decisions through the year 2040 to ensure that growth over the next 15 years aligns with the community’s vision, current trends, and regulatory requirements. Land use attorneys Stuart Barr and Kaitlin Gauthier outline the goals for the plan and a timeline for the completion of upcoming phases. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ge6RPq63

Today, Best Lawyers in America recognized 58(!) of our attorneys in its 2026 rankings, including 14 in its Ones to Watch list, and two -- Meg McKinney (Mediation) and Paul Alpuche (Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law) -- as "Lawyer of the Year" awardees. Congratulations to all of our recognized attorneys! Check out the full list here: https://lnkd.in/e5DYX7jK

Divorce is never easy, but the stress escalates when marital money suddenly goes missing. If your spouse suddenly drains a joint account, buys luxury items, or spends large amounts of money without your knowledge, you may be dealing with dissipation of marital assets. If your partner recklessly spends marital funds during a separation or hides assets, it’s not just bad behavior; it’s a legal issue that can directly impact the outcome of your divorce. Divorce attorney Makia Weaver writes about how the courts in DC and Maryland handle dissipation of assets and steps to take if you suspect your spouse is mishandling assets. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ePRHs-rm

ICYMI Divorce attorney Erin Kopelman wrote about how to protect an incapacitated loved one going through divorce. Two options -- a power of attorney and guardianship -- can help to ensure that your loved ones are protected in the event that they are going through a divorce and cannot effectively represent themselves. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eGahdgEi

Yesterday, we hosted our employees, family, and friends for our annual Summer Social at Glen Echo Park. A long-time tradition at LEB, our summer gatherings are an opportunity for attorneys and staff (and their families) to mingle and get to know each other away from the office. This year, in addition to our staple cornhole tourney, caricature artists, ice cream cart, and face painting, we also had a cotton candy machine and a photo booth. A great time was had by all!

While employers must consider accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, they do not need to guess about an employee’s condition or need for accommodation, according to a recent court ruling. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit's recent decision offers practical guidance for business owners and human resource professionals navigating the interactive process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the decision, employees who refuse to provide reasonably requested medical documentation may lose the protections of the ADA. Employment attorney Michael Neary details practical takeaways for business owners and human resources professionals here: https://lnkd.in/eHbST7bp