Attorney Profiles
Linda J. Ravdin
Principal
Linda J. Ravdin concentrates in divorce and family law for both traditional and non-traditional families. She is experienced in the resolution of alimony claims, property issues of all kinds--division of private, governmental and international organization retirement benefits, stock options and deferred compensation, businesses and professional services practices, real estate and securities--as well as in custody and child support issues. Working with the firm’s tax experts, she includes tax planning services as part of negotiating family dissolution settlements.
Ms. Ravdin is an experienced litigator but believes in solutions that keep her clients out of court whenever possible. She is trained in collaborative law and she works with clients who choose mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution. She is also an experienced mediator herself and a volunteer with the D.C. Superior Court Family Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Program.
Ms. Ravdin is the co-author of a comprehensive treatise on divorce and family law of the District of Columbia. She is an expert on premarital agreements and is the author of a national treatise on the law of premarital agreements, postmarital agreements and domestic partnership agreements.
A collector of modern art, Ms. Ravdin also enjoys skiing, traveling, reading, museums, music, the theater, and baking.
Tel: (301) 656-8850 Ext. 480
Fax: (301) 656-3053
Email: lravdin@pasternakfidis.com
EducationB.A., The Ohio State University
J.D. The George Washington University Law School
Bar AdmissionsDistrict of Columbia
Maryland
Virginia
Professional Activities, Awards and Honors
- American Bar Association (Section of Family Law and Chair of its Publications Development Board; Section of Law Practice Management)
- Maryland State Bar Association (Section of Family Law)
- Virginia State Bar (Section of Family Law)
- Bar Association of the District of Columbia
- International Association of Collaborative Professionals
- Collaborative Law Alliance – D.C.
- Collaborative Law Society of MD, DC & VA, Inc.
- Collaborative Family Law Society of D.C., Maryland and Virginia
- Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland (Section of Family Law)
- "Alimony and Retirement," ABA Section of Family Law.
- "Current Developments in Premarital and Domestic Partnership Agreements,” MICPEL, Advanced Estate Planning Institute.
- “Equitable Distribution of Federal Government Retirement Benefits: What You Need to Know About Military, CSRS, FERS, Foreign Service,” Legal Services of Northern Virginia.
- “Dividing Retirement Benefits of World Bank and IMF Employees at Divorce,” Legal Services of Northern Virginia.
- “Marital Agreement Disagreements,” Ohio Judicial College.
- “Premarital Agreements: Trends and Recent Developments,” Legal Education Institute.
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Fellow)
- Washingtonian - Metro Area’s Best Divorce Lawyers
- American Bar Association, Law Practice Management Section, Outstanding Contributions to LPM Publishing
- American Bar Foundation (Fellow)
- The American Lawyer/ The Best Lawyers in America – Divorce & Family Law
- Maryland Super Lawyers 2007, 2008 – Best Divorce & Family Lawyers
D.C. Superior Court, Family Court Self-Help Center (Volunteer)
"Making Premarital Agreements Litigation Proof," 2008 Family Law Update, Aspen Publishers.
"Settlement of Spousal Support Claims When the Payor Is Approaching Retirement," American Journal of Family Law, Spring, 2008.
"No News Is Good News: Validity of Premarital Agreements and Cannon v Cannon," Family Law News, Section of Family & Juvenile Law, Maryland State Bar Association, Inc., March, 2005.
"Validity of Domestic Partnership Agreements in the Metro Area," Family Law News, Section of Family & Juvenile Law, Maryland State Bar Association, Inc., December, 2004.
TM 849, Marital Agreements, Tax Management, Inc., 2003.
"Flying Solo on a Prenup? It's a bad idea. Premarital agreements need two lawyers," Legal Times, June 23, 2003.
Domestic Relations Manual for the District of Columbia, co-author (Lexis Nexis Matthew Bender, 2002).
“Alimony Drafting Tips,” Family Advocate, Spring, 2003.
“Premarital Agreements: Trends and Recent Developments,” Divorce Litigation, February, 2003.
“The Next Wave of Domestic Partner Litigation: Why Domestic Partners Need Domestic Partnership Agreements,” Divorce Litigation, August, 2002.
"Prenups to Protect Children,” Family Advocate, Winter, 2002.
"Thirty-Three Ways to Commit Malpractice with Private Retirement Benefits in Divorce,” Co-author, Journal of Asset Protection, May/June, 1999.
"Settlement Through Mediation: The Lawyer's Role as Advocate” in The Joy of Settlement: The Family Lawyer's Guide to Effective Negotiations and Settlement Strategies, American Bar Association, 1997.
P & F Reporter:
- "Premarital Agreements: Steps to Avoid Having a Trial aboaut Validity"Fall 2009
- "Client Alert: Marriage Equality Comes to the District of Columbia" Summer 2009
- "D.C. Omnibus Domestic Partnership Equality Amendment Act of 2008." Summer 2008
- "Frequently Asked Questions about Postmarital Agreements." October 2007
- “Premarital Agreements and the Young Couple.” October 2006
- "The D.C. Domestic Partnership Equality Amendment Act of 2006 – Important New Rights for Registered Domestic Partners.” July 2006
- “Validity of Domestic Partnership Agreements in the Metro Area.” February 2005
- "Frequently Asked Questions about Premarital Agreements.” October 2004
- "Premarital Agreements and Postmarital Conduct.” October 2003
- "D.C. Domestic Relations Law Amendments.” June 2003
- Why Domestic Partners Need Domestic Partnership Agreements.” February 2003