Monica G. Harms
A thorough knowledge and understanding of each client’s circumstances and needs distinguishes Monica Garcia 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 named Monica a Top Divorce Lawyer in its November/December 2013 issue and again in July/August 2017, saying she “is among those in the elite tier of private attorneys who are known for their skills in handling thorny custody issues.”
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.
- Bethesda Magazine, Top Divorce Lawyers (2013, 2017)
- The Daily Record Leading Women 2016
- Maryland Super Lawyers magazine, Top 50 Female Attorneys in Maryland (2015-2016)
- Maryland Super Lawyers magazine, Super Lawyer (2015-2017)
- Montgomery County, Maryland Bar Foundation, Bar Leader (2008-present)
- Washington DC Super Lawyers magazine, Rising Star (2013-2016)
- Maryland Super Lawyers magazine, Rising Star (2009-2014)
- 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)
- Best Lawyers 2017