team-member

Geoffrey Platnick

N/A

Licensed for 19 years

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Child custody

Language

English

About

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 Managing Shareholder the prominent family law firm of Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield in Potomac, Maryland, 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.  A Best Interest Attorney is an attorney that makes independent assessments of what is in the child’s best interest and advocates for these assessments in court.  The court maintains a select list of attorneys that may be appointed in this capacity and Geoff is a regular appointee from that list.Geoff’s intricate knowledge of complex domestic-related matters and his ability to develop effective case strategies has earned him an “AV” rating from 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 by Super Lawyers magazine 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 the Montgomery 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 strives to give back to the legal community by affiliating himself with prominent legal organizations.  He is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Maryland Collaborative Law Association, the Montgomery County Collaborative Law Association, the Maryland State Bar Association and the Bar Association of Montgomery County.  In 2012, he was named a Montgomery County Bar Foundation Leader and has remained one ever since.  In the local community, Geoff is a Board of Trustees member and General Counsel for The Treatment and Learning Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives, and expanding possibilities, for individuals with special needs.Prior to starting his own law firm, Geoff was an Equity Shareholder for the prominent firm of Shulman Rogers for a dozen years.  Previously, he was a former Assistant Attorney General for the District of Columbia, where he worked in the area of child support establishment and enforcement.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.

Practices Areas

Child custody

Divorce and separation

Family

Language

English

Contact

Strickler, Platnick & Hatfield, P.C.1201 Seven Locks RoadSuite 360-7APotomac, MD, 20854

Office: N/A

Website: N/A

Reviews

anonymous
January 14, 2021

Geoff has been my attorney for two separate family law cases. He represented me at the end of a difficult divorce case, and then again a year later for a two-year custody battle. He was a tireless advocate for me and my kids; his legal expertise was most welcome during my very involved case. My ex is a clear narcissist, and Geoff showed endless patience in dealing with his many red herrings (and he helped me stay calm as well). Geoff handled my high-conflict case with ease and helped us reach settlement right before trial, saving me a lot of money. I appreciate everything Geoff did for me, but what I appreciate the most was his honesty and integrity – while he represented me aggressively he was never unfair to the other side; he was always up front about what he believed the right path was, and he never pushed me to take any steps I wasn't comfortable in taking. Geoff’s goal was never just to get even and never pushed for legal actions that weren't warranted to create drama or raise the price tag. Most importantly, Geoff was always honest about what the chances were before taking any legal actions, and he did his best to save money whenever possible. On top of that, Geoff was always cheerful and friendly when I needed to talk to him! I knew he cared about what happened to my family. While it is always my hope that no one ever needs Geoff’s service, I would (and do) recommend Geoff to anyone who needs an excellent family law attorney.

Monique
April 30, 2020

When you are fighting for the loved ones in your life, you need a formidable ally. I have used multiple other attorneys and interviewed many others, and none of them come close to Geoff. Not only is he a smart attorney, a skilled strategist, and aggressive in the court room, but he is also an amazing person. He cares about his clients. You are not just "another case" for him. You are an important person and the outcome of your case matters to him personally, something you will not find often. I have a very long road ahead in my battle, and knowing that I have Geoff there to fight for me gives me incredible peace of mind.

Leslie
April 6, 2019

Geoffrey is a smart, compassionate and dedicated lawyer. He is approachable, understanding, and trustworthy. He works to develop the best solutions possible and definitely looks at the long term benefit of the client. He was easy to work with and ensures high quality service. His staff is professional, kind and efficient. Geoffrey got the job done and had my best interests in mind whenever things got tough. In the end I prevailed and was able to resolve my divorce without spending unnecessary money and time. Geoffrey always worked to settle my case reasonably but used his clever courtroom skills whenever necessary. You really want him on your side and never want to be against him. Highly recommended!

Matt
March 16, 2019

Getting divorced was a painful and difficult experience. I was lucky to have Geoff and his team to navigate through the process. Geoffrey Platnick has a fantastic team of people who work with him, and he led the charge during my divorce settlement. Geoff fought for my custodial rights, my share of the assets and kept me well informed as the case progressed. I highly recommend Geoff if you are looking for an experienced, creative and thoughtful divorce lawyer.

anonymous
August 3, 2018

I've had the pleasure of working with Geoff on numerous cases over the past 12 years. He has always been a dedicated problem solver. His knowledge and experience, coupled with his incredible work ethic, have brought cases to a positive resolution for his clients.

Diane
July 7, 2018

Geoffrey Platnick recently handled my custody case. I was lucky to have him on my side. His knowledge of the law and of my case, attention to detail, preparedness, hard work and presence in the courtroom easily brought me the outcome I needed. I am impressed by his excellent professionalism and ethical standards he constantly displays. His work put him in a category well above the lawyers I had hired before and well beyond the ones working on behalf of the the other side. I highly recommend him.

Brian
May 18, 2018

Geoff is a pro's pro. His knowledge of family law is second to none. In addition, his ability to provide timely and accurate communication and updates is unmatched. If considering any family law endeavor, I would highly recommend Geoffrey Platnick.

anonymous
May 14, 2018

I highly recommend Geoff. He and his all-star team assisted me through a difficult and contentious divorce and child custody case. In Court, Geoff's knowledge and personal relationships really assisted in the positive outcome of my case. Geoff was very efficient with his involvement throughout the case to keep costs reasonable and was helpful in directing me to gather documents and information for effective pleadings and strong strategies in Court. Geoff and his team really went to bat for me, and were prepared and effective in Court. I am very grateful for his services.

Steven
May 4, 2018

Geoff Platnick as one of the finest Family Law attorneys that I have worked with. I admire all aspects of his approach to a case. Geoff is thorough in every aspect of his case preparation. He ensures that his client is ready to be deposed and to face cross examination, and he discusses his questioning of others with his client and experts. Geoff knows how to disagree without being disagreeable and is ready to take on any sort of opposition. He is a go to guy on high profile cases or any case.

Scott
April 30, 2018

Geoff has seen plenty of situations and how they play out. Geoff has an expert understanding of the process. Geoff does a great job of communication and letting you know what’s going on by including you in his plans and actions. At the end of the day, every one of our decisions was client inclusive. He can be very aggressive in his strategy, while with the same breath, he can be pragmatic, asking you how you are doing.

anonymous
January 14, 2021

Geoff has been my attorney for two separate family law cases. He represented me at the end of a difficult divorce case, and then again a year later for a two-year custody battle. He was a tireless advocate for me and my kids; his legal expertise was most welcome during my very involved case. My ex is a clear narcissist, and Geoff showed endless patience in dealing with his many red herrings (and he helped me stay calm as well). Geoff handled my high-conflict case with ease and helped us reach settlement right before trial, saving me a lot of money. I appreciate everything Geoff did for me, but what I appreciate the most was his honesty and integrity – while he represented me aggressively he was never unfair to the other side; he was always up front about what he believed the right path was, and he never pushed me to take any steps I wasn't comfortable in taking. Geoff’s goal was never just to get even and never pushed for legal actions that weren't warranted to create drama or raise the price tag. Most importantly, Geoff was always honest about what the chances were before taking any legal actions, and he did his best to save money whenever possible. On top of that, Geoff was always cheerful and friendly when I needed to talk to him! I knew he cared about what happened to my family. While it is always my hope that no one ever needs Geoff’s service, I would (and do) recommend Geoff to anyone who needs an excellent family law attorney.

Monique
April 30, 2020

When you are fighting for the loved ones in your life, you need a formidable ally. I have used multiple other attorneys and interviewed many others, and none of them come close to Geoff. Not only is he a smart attorney, a skilled strategist, and aggressive in the court room, but he is also an amazing person. He cares about his clients. You are not just "another case" for him. You are an important person and the outcome of your case matters to him personally, something you will not find often. I have a very long road ahead in my battle, and knowing that I have Geoff there to fight for me gives me incredible peace of mind.

Leslie
April 6, 2019

Geoffrey is a smart, compassionate and dedicated lawyer. He is approachable, understanding, and trustworthy. He works to develop the best solutions possible and definitely looks at the long term benefit of the client. He was easy to work with and ensures high quality service. His staff is professional, kind and efficient. Geoffrey got the job done and had my best interests in mind whenever things got tough. In the end I prevailed and was able to resolve my divorce without spending unnecessary money and time. Geoffrey always worked to settle my case reasonably but used his clever courtroom skills whenever necessary. You really want him on your side and never want to be against him. Highly recommended!

Matt
March 16, 2019

Getting divorced was a painful and difficult experience. I was lucky to have Geoff and his team to navigate through the process. Geoffrey Platnick has a fantastic team of people who work with him, and he led the charge during my divorce settlement. Geoff fought for my custodial rights, my share of the assets and kept me well informed as the case progressed. I highly recommend Geoff if you are looking for an experienced, creative and thoughtful divorce lawyer.

anonymous
August 3, 2018

I've had the pleasure of working with Geoff on numerous cases over the past 12 years. He has always been a dedicated problem solver. His knowledge and experience, coupled with his incredible work ethic, have brought cases to a positive resolution for his clients.

Diane
July 7, 2018

Geoffrey Platnick recently handled my custody case. I was lucky to have him on my side. His knowledge of the law and of my case, attention to detail, preparedness, hard work and presence in the courtroom easily brought me the outcome I needed. I am impressed by his excellent professionalism and ethical standards he constantly displays. His work put him in a category well above the lawyers I had hired before and well beyond the ones working on behalf of the the other side. I highly recommend him.

Brian
May 18, 2018

Geoff is a pro's pro. His knowledge of family law is second to none. In addition, his ability to provide timely and accurate communication and updates is unmatched. If considering any family law endeavor, I would highly recommend Geoffrey Platnick.

anonymous
May 14, 2018

I highly recommend Geoff. He and his all-star team assisted me through a difficult and contentious divorce and child custody case. In Court, Geoff's knowledge and personal relationships really assisted in the positive outcome of my case. Geoff was very efficient with his involvement throughout the case to keep costs reasonable and was helpful in directing me to gather documents and information for effective pleadings and strong strategies in Court. Geoff and his team really went to bat for me, and were prepared and effective in Court. I am very grateful for his services.

Steven
May 4, 2018

Geoff Platnick as one of the finest Family Law attorneys that I have worked with. I admire all aspects of his approach to a case. Geoff is thorough in every aspect of his case preparation. He ensures that his client is ready to be deposed and to face cross examination, and he discusses his questioning of others with his client and experts. Geoff knows how to disagree without being disagreeable and is ready to take on any sort of opposition. He is a go to guy on high profile cases or any case.

Scott
April 30, 2018

Geoff has seen plenty of situations and how they play out. Geoff has an expert understanding of the process. Geoff does a great job of communication and letting you know what’s going on by including you in his plans and actions. At the end of the day, every one of our decisions was client inclusive. He can be very aggressive in his strategy, while with the same breath, he can be pragmatic, asking you how you are doing.

anonymous
January 14, 2021

Geoff has been my attorney for two separate family law cases. He represented me at the end of a difficult divorce case, and then again a year later for a two-year custody battle. He was a tireless advocate for me and my kids; his legal expertise was most welcome during my very involved case. My ex is a clear narcissist, and Geoff showed endless patience in dealing with his many red herrings (and he helped me stay calm as well). Geoff handled my high-conflict case with ease and helped us reach settlement right before trial, saving me a lot of money. I appreciate everything Geoff did for me, but what I appreciate the most was his honesty and integrity – while he represented me aggressively he was never unfair to the other side; he was always up front about what he believed the right path was, and he never pushed me to take any steps I wasn't comfortable in taking. Geoff’s goal was never just to get even and never pushed for legal actions that weren't warranted to create drama or raise the price tag. Most importantly, Geoff was always honest about what the chances were before taking any legal actions, and he did his best to save money whenever possible. On top of that, Geoff was always cheerful and friendly when I needed to talk to him! I knew he cared about what happened to my family. While it is always my hope that no one ever needs Geoff’s service, I would (and do) recommend Geoff to anyone who needs an excellent family law attorney.

Monique
April 30, 2020

When you are fighting for the loved ones in your life, you need a formidable ally. I have used multiple other attorneys and interviewed many others, and none of them come close to Geoff. Not only is he a smart attorney, a skilled strategist, and aggressive in the court room, but he is also an amazing person. He cares about his clients. You are not just "another case" for him. You are an important person and the outcome of your case matters to him personally, something you will not find often. I have a very long road ahead in my battle, and knowing that I have Geoff there to fight for me gives me incredible peace of mind.

Leslie
April 6, 2019

Geoffrey is a smart, compassionate and dedicated lawyer. He is approachable, understanding, and trustworthy. He works to develop the best solutions possible and definitely looks at the long term benefit of the client. He was easy to work with and ensures high quality service. His staff is professional, kind and efficient. Geoffrey got the job done and had my best interests in mind whenever things got tough. In the end I prevailed and was able to resolve my divorce without spending unnecessary money and time. Geoffrey always worked to settle my case reasonably but used his clever courtroom skills whenever necessary. You really want him on your side and never want to be against him. Highly recommended!

Matt
March 16, 2019

Getting divorced was a painful and difficult experience. I was lucky to have Geoff and his team to navigate through the process. Geoffrey Platnick has a fantastic team of people who work with him, and he led the charge during my divorce settlement. Geoff fought for my custodial rights, my share of the assets and kept me well informed as the case progressed. I highly recommend Geoff if you are looking for an experienced, creative and thoughtful divorce lawyer.

anonymous
August 3, 2018

I've had the pleasure of working with Geoff on numerous cases over the past 12 years. He has always been a dedicated problem solver. His knowledge and experience, coupled with his incredible work ethic, have brought cases to a positive resolution for his clients.

Diane
July 7, 2018

Geoffrey Platnick recently handled my custody case. I was lucky to have him on my side. His knowledge of the law and of my case, attention to detail, preparedness, hard work and presence in the courtroom easily brought me the outcome I needed. I am impressed by his excellent professionalism and ethical standards he constantly displays. His work put him in a category well above the lawyers I had hired before and well beyond the ones working on behalf of the the other side. I highly recommend him.

Brian
May 18, 2018

Geoff is a pro's pro. His knowledge of family law is second to none. In addition, his ability to provide timely and accurate communication and updates is unmatched. If considering any family law endeavor, I would highly recommend Geoffrey Platnick.

anonymous
May 14, 2018

I highly recommend Geoff. He and his all-star team assisted me through a difficult and contentious divorce and child custody case. In Court, Geoff's knowledge and personal relationships really assisted in the positive outcome of my case. Geoff was very efficient with his involvement throughout the case to keep costs reasonable and was helpful in directing me to gather documents and information for effective pleadings and strong strategies in Court. Geoff and his team really went to bat for me, and were prepared and effective in Court. I am very grateful for his services.

Steven
May 4, 2018

Geoff Platnick as one of the finest Family Law attorneys that I have worked with. I admire all aspects of his approach to a case. Geoff is thorough in every aspect of his case preparation. He ensures that his client is ready to be deposed and to face cross examination, and he discusses his questioning of others with his client and experts. Geoff knows how to disagree without being disagreeable and is ready to take on any sort of opposition. He is a go to guy on high profile cases or any case.

Scott
April 30, 2018

Geoff has seen plenty of situations and how they play out. Geoff has an expert understanding of the process. Geoff does a great job of communication and letting you know what’s going on by including you in his plans and actions. At the end of the day, every one of our decisions was client inclusive. He can be very aggressive in his strategy, while with the same breath, he can be pragmatic, asking you how you are doing.

anonymous
January 14, 2021

Geoff has been my attorney for two separate family law cases. He represented me at the end of a difficult divorce case, and then again a year later for a two-year custody battle. He was a tireless advocate for me and my kids; his legal expertise was most welcome during my very involved case. My ex is a clear narcissist, and Geoff showed endless patience in dealing with his many red herrings (and he helped me stay calm as well). Geoff handled my high-conflict case with ease and helped us reach settlement right before trial, saving me a lot of money. I appreciate everything Geoff did for me, but what I appreciate the most was his honesty and integrity – while he represented me aggressively he was never unfair to the other side; he was always up front about what he believed the right path was, and he never pushed me to take any steps I wasn't comfortable in taking. Geoff’s goal was never just to get even and never pushed for legal actions that weren't warranted to create drama or raise the price tag. Most importantly, Geoff was always honest about what the chances were before taking any legal actions, and he did his best to save money whenever possible. On top of that, Geoff was always cheerful and friendly when I needed to talk to him! I knew he cared about what happened to my family. While it is always my hope that no one ever needs Geoff’s service, I would (and do) recommend Geoff to anyone who needs an excellent family law attorney.

Monique
April 30, 2020

When you are fighting for the loved ones in your life, you need a formidable ally. I have used multiple other attorneys and interviewed many others, and none of them come close to Geoff. Not only is he a smart attorney, a skilled strategist, and aggressive in the court room, but he is also an amazing person. He cares about his clients. You are not just "another case" for him. You are an important person and the outcome of your case matters to him personally, something you will not find often. I have a very long road ahead in my battle, and knowing that I have Geoff there to fight for me gives me incredible peace of mind.

Leslie
April 6, 2019

Geoffrey is a smart, compassionate and dedicated lawyer. He is approachable, understanding, and trustworthy. He works to develop the best solutions possible and definitely looks at the long term benefit of the client. He was easy to work with and ensures high quality service. His staff is professional, kind and efficient. Geoffrey got the job done and had my best interests in mind whenever things got tough. In the end I prevailed and was able to resolve my divorce without spending unnecessary money and time. Geoffrey always worked to settle my case reasonably but used his clever courtroom skills whenever necessary. You really want him on your side and never want to be against him. Highly recommended!

Matt
March 16, 2019

Getting divorced was a painful and difficult experience. I was lucky to have Geoff and his team to navigate through the process. Geoffrey Platnick has a fantastic team of people who work with him, and he led the charge during my divorce settlement. Geoff fought for my custodial rights, my share of the assets and kept me well informed as the case progressed. I highly recommend Geoff if you are looking for an experienced, creative and thoughtful divorce lawyer.

anonymous
August 3, 2018

I've had the pleasure of working with Geoff on numerous cases over the past 12 years. He has always been a dedicated problem solver. His knowledge and experience, coupled with his incredible work ethic, have brought cases to a positive resolution for his clients.

Diane
July 7, 2018

Geoffrey Platnick recently handled my custody case. I was lucky to have him on my side. His knowledge of the law and of my case, attention to detail, preparedness, hard work and presence in the courtroom easily brought me the outcome I needed. I am impressed by his excellent professionalism and ethical standards he constantly displays. His work put him in a category well above the lawyers I had hired before and well beyond the ones working on behalf of the the other side. I highly recommend him.

Brian
May 18, 2018

Geoff is a pro's pro. His knowledge of family law is second to none. In addition, his ability to provide timely and accurate communication and updates is unmatched. If considering any family law endeavor, I would highly recommend Geoffrey Platnick.

anonymous
May 14, 2018

I highly recommend Geoff. He and his all-star team assisted me through a difficult and contentious divorce and child custody case. In Court, Geoff's knowledge and personal relationships really assisted in the positive outcome of my case. Geoff was very efficient with his involvement throughout the case to keep costs reasonable and was helpful in directing me to gather documents and information for effective pleadings and strong strategies in Court. Geoff and his team really went to bat for me, and were prepared and effective in Court. I am very grateful for his services.

Steven
May 4, 2018

Geoff Platnick as one of the finest Family Law attorneys that I have worked with. I admire all aspects of his approach to a case. Geoff is thorough in every aspect of his case preparation. He ensures that his client is ready to be deposed and to face cross examination, and he discusses his questioning of others with his client and experts. Geoff knows how to disagree without being disagreeable and is ready to take on any sort of opposition. He is a go to guy on high profile cases or any case.

Scott
April 30, 2018

Geoff has seen plenty of situations and how they play out. Geoff has an expert understanding of the process. Geoff does a great job of communication and letting you know what’s going on by including you in his plans and actions. At the end of the day, every one of our decisions was client inclusive. He can be very aggressive in his strategy, while with the same breath, he can be pragmatic, asking you how you are doing.