Addition will further strengthen firm's thriving estate planning and probate practice

ROCKVILLE, MD – February 23, 2010 – The law firm of Stein, Sperling, Bennett, De Jong, Driscoll & Greenfeig, P.C., one of suburban Maryland's largest full service law firms, today announced that Steven A. Widdes has joined the firm as a Principal.

Co-Chair of the Firm’s Estate Planning & Probate Group, Mr. Widdes concentrates his practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration as well as tax and business planning and has leveraged his experience in these areas on behalf of clients for nearly 30 years.  “Steve’s ability to develop sound strategies for businesspeople and retirees with substantial estates is renowned,” stated David S. De Jong, Chair of the Firm’s Tax Group.  “We are thrilled that he has joined our team.”

A frequent lecturer and author, Mr. Widdes has led numerous programs sponsored by tax and estate planning groups, speaking on such topics as post-mortem estate planning, estate planning with IRA distributions, tax planning for the practitioner, new income tax laws and practical and important developments in estate planning and probate.  He has lectured before the Georgetown University/D.C. Bar Association Estate Planning Program and served as the program’s chair for five years.  Mr. Widdes also has lectured for Suburban Hospital on “Preparation for a Hospital Entrance,” “Vehicles to Fund Childrens’ and Grandchildrens’ Education” and “The Repeal of the Estate Tax in 2010.”

Honored as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and nationally accredited as an estate planner, Mr. Widdes has been frequently named as one of the Best Lawyers in America (2005-2009).  He also has been named by both Legal Times and Washingtonian (2002-2009) as a top trusts and estates attorney in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and has been recognized annually as a Super Lawyer in both the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia since 2005.

Stein Sperling’s Estate Planning and Probate Group provides a broad range of sophisticated legal services designed to meet clients’ needs. It is focused in the areas of organization and development of estate plans, assistance in the administration of trusts and estates and working with clients step by step through the probate process.   The group’s attorneys work as a team, combining their unique experience and knowledge of federal and state estate, trust, business and tax laws with practical considerations derived from their experience.

"Stein Sperling has a tremendous reputation," said Widdes, "and the firm's talent in estate planning and tax and business law seems like a natural fit for my experience in those areas."  Mr. Widdes also noted that he has enjoyed previous opportunities to collaborate with Stein Sperling attorneys and that he looks forward to bolstering the firm's capabilities in meeting the needs of current and future clients.

An active participant in many community and bar organizations, Mr. Widdes is a past co-chair of the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington’s Planned Giving Committee and currently serves as vice-chair of that facility’s Board of Governors.  He also serves on the Planned Giving Committee for Suburban Hospital.  “Not only is Steve an outstanding attorney, he is a very compassionate and generous person who is widely respected in the community,” said Millard S. Bennett, Stein Sperling’s managing principal.

Mr. Widdes received his B.A., with honors, from Drake University, his J.D. from Drake University Law School and his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.  He is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) and formerly served as a member of the MSBA Estates and Trusts Section Council and as chair of that group’s Taxation Section.  He also belongs to the District of Columbia Bar and is a member of the American Bar Association (Section of Real Property and Probate) and the District of Columbia Estate Planning Council.

About Stein, Sperling, Bennett, De Jong, Driscoll & Greenfeig, P.C.:
Stein, Sperling, Bennett, De Jong, Driscoll & Greenfeig, P.C. is one of the largest law firms in Montgomery County, Maryland.  The Firm currently employs over 40 attorneys and offers legal services in multiple practice areas including:  business law, tax law, civil litigation, criminal law, employment law, estate planning and probate, family law, injury law, municipal law, and real estate and land use.  For more information, visit www.steinsperling.com or call (301) 340-2020.