Richard Sternberg

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.

• 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.

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Bar

Since 1983

Maryland

Since 1985

Virginia

Since 1990

4th Circuit

Since 1992

D.C. Circuit

Since 1984

Federal Circuit

Since 1984

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 1990

Managing Principal/CEO

Metropolitan Washington Law Consortium, PLLC

2002 - Current

Managing principal/CEO

Lawyer

Law Offices of Richard S. Sternberg

1984 - 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.

1992 - 2002

Center for International Legal Studies

Honorary Fellow (2002) | International Business Law

2002 - 2002

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"

Georgetown University

J.D. (1983) | Law

1979 - 1983

Honors: cum laude

University of Pennsylvania

M.A. (1977) | American Political Science

1973 - 1977

Honors: magna cum laude

Activities: Pi Sigma Alpha, University Television, concurrent B.A.-M.A. in four years.

University of Pennsylvania

B.A. (1977) | Political Science

1973 - 1977

Honors: magna cum laude, honors in major.

Activities: Pi Sigma Alpha, University Television, Combined B.A.-M.A. in 4 years magna cum laude.

10.0 Superb

Avvo.com

2014

Hon. Fellow

Center for International Legal Studies, Austria

2002

Best Lawyers in Virginia

Virginia Business Magazine

2000

AV Rating

Martindale-Hubbell

1990

Virginia State Bar

Member

1990 - Current

District of Columbia Bar

Member

1983 - Current

Maryland State Bar

Chairman, International Law Committee

2008 - 2016

“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)

January, 2016

Collections 101 for Campaign Professionals

Campaigns and Elections, February, 2007

February, 2007

“Third World Government Contracting.” November-December, 2005.

l.i.n.k, issue 30,

November, 2005

"Trade"

International Business Law Bulletin, March-April, 2003

March, 2003

International Commercial Transactions, Continuing Legal Education (MICPEL), Columbia, Maryland

January 1, 2008

Maryland State Bar Association

Reviewed international commercial transaction issues with a panel of other international law practitioners.

Q. What legal actions can the trustee take against Animal Control for ignoring trust ownership in a civil forfeiture trial?

July 12, 2025

A: Sounds like a complex defense that probably gets resolved on appeal with a well-drafted brief. Of course, the trust has actual notice of the proceedings, since Mr. Radcliff is settlor, trustee, and beneficiary, and he presumably has notice compliant with the law. The technicality of service might, however, be useful for getting a stay on appeal and, ultimately, a second bite at the apple. But, it will surely be more expensive in legal fees that the cost of the dogs or caring for the dogs properly. I suggest retaining competent appellate counsel with a significant retainer for an excellently researched brief.

Q. How to force HOA board to enforce a covenant on no fencing or hedges?

June 6, 2025

A: If the HOA doesn't want to enforce, you have several choices:

1. Run for the board on a ticket of enforcing the HOA guidelines and win;

2. Retain counsel to review the HOA covenants and rules to determine whether you have a private right of action, and then either sue to other homeowner, likely in General District Court (thus the inartful reference to the Warrant in Debt) or against the HOA in Circuit Court.

Q. My daughter-in-law drives my car. We're separating, and she thinks she can keep it. What are my rights?

May 28, 2025

A: You probably should consult with your son's legal counsel. A court is likely to give your son the responsibility to pay the loan and the insurance and satisfy all obligations to you, so that his children can be safely transported, but I don't think the court will have jurisdiction to change the title on the car. You probably can get it back, but the court will have to resolve how your DiL gets a car, and keeping yours may be the cheapest approach.