RESUME
Jessica Markham, Attorney at Law
Markham Law Firm
7960 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 3B
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
(240) 396-4373 ~ jmarkham@markhamlegal.com
Family Law attorney licensed to practice in Maryland and Washington D.C; trained in Collaborative Law, divorce/custody mediation; Best Interest Attorney/Child Privilege Attorney. Fluent in Spanish.
HONORS
Washingtonian Magazine, Top Lawyer, Family Law (2019-2020), Bethesda Magazine (Top Attorney, Divorce, 2019-2020), Reader’s Poll Top Vote Getter (2020), Best Lawyers in America, Family Law (Washington D.C. Area, Family Law, 2018-2020), Selected for inclusion as a "Rising Star" by SuperLawyers Magazine (Maryland, 2011-2019, Washington D.C., 2013-2019); Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating of AV Preeminent (Family Law), Daily Record “2016 Leading Women” Award.
CLE/SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Dividing Retirement Assets: From Private Employer Plans to Federal Pensions (American Bar Association, October 2020); Navigating Online ADR: Family Topics (Maryland Judiciary Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office, May 2020); Online Dispute Resolution- Moving Your Mediation Practice Online (Montgomery County Bar Association, April 2020); Retirement and Pension Benefits Issues – Federal, State, and Military (Montgomery County Bar Association, February 2020); Quick to Caucus (American Bar Association, April 2019; Montgomery County Bar Association, 2020); What the Heck is a QDRO and Why Do I Need One? (Montgomery County Bar Association, October 2016); Tips and Tricks for Drafting Retirement Provisions in Property Settlement Agreements (Montgomery County Bar Association, 2016); Litigating a Child Custody Case (Montgomery County Bar Association, 2016); The Legal Process of Separation and Divorce in Montgomery County (Montgomery County Women's Commission, 2012, 2015).
EXPERIENCE
Markham Law Firm, Bethesda, Maryland August 2015 - Present
Owner
Manage daily operations of firm and supervise associate attorneys and support staff. Concentration in family law litigation including all issues relating to divorce, domestic violence, custody and guardianship matters. Extensive experience resolving all aspects of family law cases, through mediation, negotiation, litigation and Collaborative Law. Regular court appearances/trials in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Washington D.C. courts. Draft pleadings, property settlement/custody agreements, pre/post nuptial agreements, financial statements and discovery requests/responses. Particularized experience in drafting Qualified Domestic Relations Orders and structuring settlements including complex pension/retirement issues. Frequently litigate and negotiate cases involving business valuations, military divorces and custody evaluations. Appointed by the Court as a custody mediator and facilitator (Montgomery County Circuit Court), Guardian of Property/Attorney for Allegedly Disabled Adult in Guardianship matters, Best Interest Attorney and Child Privilege attorney.
Paradiso, Taub, Sinay & Owel, P.C., Bethesda, Maryland August 2005-August 2015
Principal
Practiced all aspects of family and guardianship law in Maryland and Washington D.C including litigation, mediation and Collaborative Law. Joined firm as an associate in 2005 and was elevated to principal in 2011. Regular court appearances/trials in multiple counties in Maryland and Washington D.C. courts. Proficient in drafting pleadings and agreements, including property settlement, custody, pre/post nuptial. Frequently litigated and negotiated cases involving all aspects of family law. Appointed by the Court as a custody mediator and facilitator (Montgomery County Circuit Court), Guardian of Property/Attorney for Allegedly Disabled Adult in Guardianship matters, Best Interest Attorney and Child Privilege attorney.
Miami Dade State Attorney's Office, Miami, Florida Spring Semester, 2005
Florida Supreme Court Certified Legal Intern
Independent trial practice in Juvenile Court prosecuting felony and misdemeanor crimes in Miami-Dade County Court. Investigation and filing of cases, daily docket, pre-trial procedures, including motion practice, discovery, depositions, legal research and trial preparation. 1st and 2nd chaired various felony and misdemeanor trials.
EDUCATION
University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida 2002-2005
Juris Doctor received May, 2005.
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 1998-2002
Bachelor of Science, Government and Politics (Honors); Bachelor of Arts, English Language and Literature, concentration in British and American Literature.
MEMBERSHIPS
Solo/Small Firm Section Chair (Montgomery County Bar); Racial Justice Council, Community Outreach Committee (Montgomery County Bar); MSBA Membership and Content Committee; Montgomery County Bar Association (Member, Family Law Section); Women's Bar Association of Montgomery County (Treasurer 2014-2016, Board Member at Large 2016-2018); Maryland State Bar Association, Inc. (Member, Sections on: Family Law; Juvenile Law); DC Bar (Member, Family Law Section); Former Barrister Member, Montgomery County Inn of Court.