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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
1006 Questions Answered
Q. What can I do if I was falsely claimed deceased in my mother's will?
A: If the Will was probated in 2018, you might be too late, but there is a chance that notice was improper or there is some other excuse for delaying seven years after her death to notice her absence. Then, it will be important to examine the Will and the facts. If your mother's intent was to disinherit you, she could do that in her Will. If not, an argument might be made that you are the equivalent of either a pretermitted child or are the victim on a fraud. The claim would be quite fact dependent. I suggest you review the facts and the Will with a lawyer experienced in probate and licensed in the jurisdiction where the Will was probated.
Q. How can I toll the statute of limitations for filing a claim related to a failed retaining wall due to faulty engineering plans?
A: You toll the statute of limitations by filing the lawsuit providing adequate notice of the claim. This late, the defendants' best move is to pretend they have no problem with your delay in making the claim. Once you miss the deadline, they will move -- successfully -- to dismiss your case. Depending on how you draft it, the "without prejudice" dismissal to reframe your complaint may nevertheless be fatal even if you file now, so many lawyers won't be willing to take the case. Alternatively, you can get a tolling agreement in writing unambiguously agreeing to toll limitations. There are many tricks for tricking you into an ineffective tolling agreement, and most lawyers won't touch that. The short answer is that you need to act before limitations expires. ... Read More
Q. HOA hasn't held meetings or elections in 10 years and doubled dues without a membership meeting. Seeking advice on electing a new board and establishing governance.
A: The case law -- as you seem to appreciate already -- favors corporate democracy in governance. Courts are loathe to substitute their judgment for that of a duly elected condo board operating within its rules of governance and not violating law as to protected classes. So, your first step is to retain counsel to review those rules of governance to help you design a campaign to get elected and take over the board. With the kind of conditions you are describing of irresponsible and inaccessible meetings and doubling of dues, it seems plausible that you aren't the only homeowner who is unhappy. Maybe you can put together a slate and unseat of recall the president.
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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