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Richard Sternberg

Metropolitan Washington Law Consortium, PLLC
  • Real Estate Law, International Law, Probate ...
  • District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia
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Biography

The Law Offices of Richard S. Sternberg is dedicated to the principle that bigger is not always better. Instead, it rests on a tradition that actually antedates the rise of the “mega-firm”-the solo practice. Emulating a country lawyer in a big-city environment allows Mr. Sternberg to provide more individualized service to his clients, and, at the same time, pursue more collegial relations with other members of the Bar. Since 1984, Mr. Sternberg has dedicated his practice to representing individuals and smaller businesses. For those corporate clients who have larger needs, he is affiliated with the Metropolitan Washington Law Consortium, PLLC. The larger affiliation allows you to benefit from a close relationship with your lawyer, but it allows easy connection to specific expertise and more economic approaches to handling easier day-to-day matters requiring competence with a lighter hand on the billing rates. If your matter requires multiple areas of practice and a limited practice, such as tax or immigration law, Mr. Sternberg can get you to the lawyers he knows to be the best through MWLC.

Practice Areas
Real Estate Law
Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
International Law
Human Rights, Imports & Exports
Probate
Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Estate Planning
Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Contingent Fees
    Contingency fees available in accident cases and, even, some international, real estate, and probate matters.
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Even in business matters, ask about the 50/50 program for discounted legal fee rates as low as $150/hour.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
District of Columbia
District of Columbia Bar
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Maryland
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Virginia
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4th Circuit
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D.C. Circuit
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Federal Circuit
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U.S. Supreme Court
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Managing Principal/CEO
Metropolitan Washington Law Consortium, PLLC
- Current
Managing principal/CEO
Lawyer
Law Offices of Richard S. Sternberg
- Current
I've practiced as a solo from the beginning and will until the end. Sometimes, there have been some very talented lawyers around me, as well.
Member, rising to CEO
The Washington Law Group, P.C.
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Education
Center for International Legal Studies
Honorary Fellow (2002) | International Business Law
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Republished in Kitzbuehel, Luxembourg, NY, and Baltimore
Honors: Honorary Fellow
Activities: Delivered paper: "Securing Investments from Foreign Sovereigns— Protecting Foreign Assets Using U.S. Law"
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Georgetown University
J.D. (1983) | Law
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Honors: cum laude
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University of Pennsylvania
M.A. (1977) | American Political Science
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Honors: magna cum laude
Activities: Pi Sigma Alpha, University Television, concurrent B.A.-M.A. in four years.
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University of Pennsylvania
B.A. (1977) | Political Science
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Honors: magna cum laude, honors in major.
Activities: Pi Sigma Alpha, University Television, Combined B.A.-M.A. in 4 years magna cum laude.
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Awards
10.0 Superb
Avvo.com
Hon. Fellow
Center for International Legal Studies, Austria
Best Lawyers in Virginia
Virginia Business Magazine
AV Rating
Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Associations
Virginia State Bar
Member
- Current
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District of Columbia Bar
Member
- Current
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Maryland State Bar
Chairman, International Law Committee
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Publications
Articles & Publications
“Securing Investments from Foreign Sovereigns—Protecting Foreign Assets Using U.S. Law.”
Republished in Kitzbuehel, Luxembourg, NY, and Baltimore
“The Jewish Roots of English Property Law.”
The Conveyancer & Property Lawyer, Issue 1 (2016)
Collections 101 for Campaign Professionals
Campaigns and Elections, February, 2007
“Third World Government Contracting.” November-December, 2005.
l.i.n.k, issue 30,
"Trade"
International Business Law Bulletin, March-April, 2003
“Negotiating Commercial Leases.”
Business Properties, 1990
Speaking Engagements
International Commercial Transactions, Continuing Legal Education (MICPEL), Columbia, Maryland
Maryland State Bar Association
Reviewed international commercial transaction issues with a panel of other international law practitioners.
Websites & Blogs
Website
Mr. Sternberg's Web Site
Legal Answers
998 Questions Answered
Q. HOA requests removal of fence on HOA property after 27 years. What are my rights in Maryland?
A: Your question leads to many projected answers, but mostly to more questions. It is plausible that they have interpreted the HOA rules wrong after 27 years, or that you have rights from a prior version of the same rules. There are adverse possession issues, unless the claim is undercut by missing one of the elements, most likely the lack of adversity. What you need is a proper survey and title review and a consult on the facts. You need a skilled lawyer.
Q. Finding exemption codes for deed transfer in Maryland from mother to son
A: Have you considered the effect of losing the income tax benefit of stepped up basis before worrying about the exemption code for the recordation tax? You really need to consult a lawyer or, at least, a CPA, to determine whether you are exempt from all taxes. You might be, but your focus on a recordation tax in doing an inter vivos transfer on an 85 year old owner is unwise.
Q. Tracing 2008 judgment from title search for Chase Bank in Augusta County, VA, JDL number 080001170.
A: You know who holds the lien -- Chase Bank. So, contact them. You might want a lawyer to do that, because, if it is an old lien, it might be invalid or arguably so, and you might be able to negotiate it down using a lawyer, especially with all the interest and penalties that likely apply.
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Contact & Map
Maryland Main Office
6509 Persimmon Tree Road, Suite 100
Potomac, MD 20818
US
Telephone: (202) 530-0100
Fax: (888) 363-7299
Fairfax Office
10605 Judicial Dr, B7
Fairfax, VA 22030
US
Telephone: (202) 530-0100
Fax: (888) 363-7299