Geoffrey S. Platnick

When it comes to achieving a positive outcome for his clients, Geoffrey Platnick is passionate. Often meeting him under emotionally devastating circumstances, clients rely on Geoff to assess their specific family circumstances and goals, and then formulate and execute a strategy to achieve a desirable outcome for them and their families. His experience and training provides him an insightful perspective into the field of family law and its complex needs. He presents clients with strategic, thoughtful and zealous representation, providing solutions for both their immediate and long-term concerns. Geoff is particularly adept at crafting settlement agreements that ultimately serve the client and the best interest of minor children involved in these family disputes.

A highly accomplished trial lawyer and shareholder at Shulman Rogers, Geoff’s areas of practice include all aspects of complex family law matters, including divorce and litigation, complex custody litigation, child support and alimony issues, property distribution and business valuations, settlement agreements, custody agreements, pre-nuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, grandparent visitation issues, contempt/enforcement actions, modification actions, domestic violence matters, as well as legal issues faced by same-sex couples. He regularly litigates before Family Division magistrates and judges of the Circuit Court of Maryland (statewide) and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in contested and uncontested divorce, custody, property division, and financial support matters, all with the singular focus of preserving his client’s ability to maintain quality familial relationships and fiscal well-being.

Geoff frequents the Maryland appellate courts and is often appointed by the trial courts to represent the needs of children as a trained and experienced Best Interest Attorney.

Geoff’s intricate knowledge of complex domestic-related matters and his ability to develop effective case strategies has earned him an"AV" ratingfrom Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating possible from clients, peers and judges. He has been honored throughout his career with numerous awards, including top "Divorce Attorney" by Bethesda Magazine. In 2010, he received the "Section Chair of the Year" award from the Bar Association of Montgomery County. He has also been recognized bySuper Lawyersmagazine as among the Rising Star attorneys in Maryland for the past several years. Additionally, Geoff is a leader in the Bar Association of Montgomery County’s Family Law Section, having served as chair of the group, and chair of the Association’s Continuing Legal Education Committee for two years. Currently, he holds the title of Barrister in theMontgomery County Maryland American Inn of Court, a legal organization that fosters excellence in professionalism, ethics, civility and legal skills.

His experience in the courtroom enhances Geoff's innate ability to negotiate or mediate solutions for his clients outside of the courtroom. He is trained and certified in Collaborative Law Practice, a method of handling family law matters in which the parties agree to work together to resolve their disputes out of court and without litigation. Geoff has also been trained and certified as a mediator through the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers and regularly represents clients during the mediation process and frequently serves the role of mediator.

Geoff is a member of the firm’s Family Law and Commercial Litigation sections. Geoff is a graduate of the University at Buffalo Law School, State University of New York. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland, the United States District Court of Maryland and the District of Columbia.