Monica G. Harms

"There’s nothing more important than family, and if I were in crisis, I would want someone I trust to help me navigate through day-to-day and long-term decisions. I want to be that person for my clients."





Monica G. Harms

Principal

25 West Middle Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20850
301-838-3230 direct
301-354-8130 fax

mharms@steinsperling.com

A thorough knowledge and understanding of each client’s circumstances and needs distinguishes Monica Harms’ approach to practicing family law. She prides herself on relating to her clients, carefully listening to their goals and concerns, and then tackling legal processes with their perspectives in mind.

An enthusiastic and successful litigator, Monica is always poised to aggressively pursue her clients’ best interests in court. Her combination of thorough preparation, courtroom experience and dedication to providing the highest levels of service has helped her achieve the best possible outcomes for many of her clients.

Monica represents clients in a broad range of complex family law matters, including divorce, separation, contested custody and access, child support, domestic violence, separation agreements, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, alimony, property distribution, grandparent visitation, contempt/enforcement actions, modification actions, adoptions and guardianships. She is also a court-appointed representative of minor children as a Best Interest Attorney and/or Privilege Attorney. Bethesda magazine recognized Monica with an honorable mention in its 2010 Top Divorce Lawyers listing, saying she was “noted by colleagues as an up-and-comer in extremely difficult custody matters.”

Prior to joining Stein Sperling, Monica supervised the Montgomery County Circuit Court’s Domestic Violence Assistance Project, where she represented victims of domestic violence through the Women’s Law Center of Maryland. Continuing her advocacy for victims of domestic violence, she often speaks on issues of divorce, custody and domestic violence. Monica has also lectured before the Pro Bono Section of the Bar Association of Montgomery County on how to present Protective Order cases.

Monica is actively involved in the Bar Association of Montgomery County, serving on its Executive Committee (2010-2012), and the Women’s Bar Association of Maryland’s Montgomery County Chapter, also serving on that organization’s Executive Committee (2009-2012). For several years, Monica coordinated monthly chamber chats with the Montgomery County Circuit Court and District Court Judges on behalf of the Bar Association.

  • EDUCATION Toggle

    • University of California, Los Angeles (B.A., 1999)
      The George Washington University Law School (J.D., 2002)

  • MEMBERSHIPS + ACTIVITIES Toggle

    • Bar Association of Montgomery County
           Executive Committee (2010-2012)
           New Practitioner’s Section, Chamber Chats Coordinator (2007-2008)
           Fall Outing Committee, Silent Auction Chair (2006-2010)
           Social Committee
                Co-Chair (2011-2012)
                Member (2007-2008)

      Women’s Bar Association of Maryland, Montgomery County  Chapter
           Executive Committee (2009-present)
           Museletter monthly newsletter, Co-Chair (2006-2011)
           Triennial Silent Auction, Donations Chair (2010)

      Montgomery County, Maryland American Inn of Court, Associate Member (2004-2006)

  • HONORS + AWARDS Toggle

    • The Daily Record, VIP List: Very Important Professionals, Successful by 40 (2012)
      Bar Association of Montgomery County, President’s Citation for Outstanding Service (2007, 2012)
      Maryland Super Lawyers magazine, Rising Star (2009-2013)
      Bethesda magazine, Top Divorce Lawyers, Honorable Mention (2010)
      Montgomery County, Maryland Bar Foundation, Bar Leader (2008-present)