Michelle C. Thomas
Top rated Family Law attorney in Silver Spring, Maryland
M.C. Thomas & Associates, PC
Practice Areas: Family Law
Licensed in Maryland since: 2010
Education: The George Washington University Law School
M.C. Thomas & Associates, PC
8403 Colesville RdSuite 370
Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301-841-7404 Email: Michelle C. Thomas Visit website
Details
Michelle C. Thomas, Esq. is a veteran trial lawyer and the founder of M.C. Thomas & Associates, PC, a premier divorce and family law firm serving Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland. Michelle has been repeatedly recognized as a Top Rated Family Lawyer in Maryland and Washington D.C. by SuperLawyers, and recently named a Top Attorney in Divorce by Bethesda Magazine.
Michelle is keenly aware that families often benefit from resolving matters outside of court, and strives to settle cases on the most favorable terms; and at the same time remains prepared to go to trial as necessary to achieve the best result possible. The firm offers effective and efficient solutions to a plethora of family law matters, including uncontested and contested divorce, alimony disputes, property distribution, asset protection, business valuations, hidden assets/off-shore accounts, child custody disputes, parental alienation, UCCJEA inter-state custody, and long-term, life-after-divorce planning. Since the pandemic, the firm has embraced technological advances that make working with the firm even easier.
Michelle has been seen in local and national media, including as a regular guest legal analyst on Court TV, Bravo, the BBC, Fox5DC, BNC, CBS Local, the Washington Times, Washington Examiner, ESSENCE magazine, the Michael Baisden Show, News One Now with Roland Martin (WOL/Radio One), and a frequent contributor on The Audrey Chapman Show (WHUR), The Daily Drum Show (Sirius XM 141 and WHUR), and Law Talk with Ethel Mitchell (WOL/Radio One) where she provides insight on a wide-range of divorce and family law topics.
As a leader in the legal community, Michelle has addressed her colleagues on topics from trial advocacy to family law and business, and has been a featured speaker before such groups as the American Bar Association, National Bar Association, the District of Columbia Bar, the Women’s Bar Association of DC, the Washington Bar Association, the Greater Washington Area Chapter Bar Association, and Montgomery County Commission for Women. She has also been a guest lecturer at The George Washington University Law School, Howard University and Morgan State University, and area churches, including Reid Temple, AME Church.
Today, Michelle is an active leader in the legal profession. She currently serves as a member of the D.C. Bar Board on Professional Responsibility Hearing Committees, has been elected to the D.C. Bar Board of Governors, appointed chair of the Practice Management Service Committee of the D.C. Bar, and elected president of the National Bar Association's Division for Young Lawyers. She served on the Nominations Committee of the D.C. Bar and the Board of the Women’s Bar Association of D.C. Foundation, as well as President of GWAC, the National Bar Association's Women Lawyer Division's D.C. Chapter.
As a result of her contributions to the legal community and reputation and work as a skilled trial divorce lawyer, Michelle has received several awards and recognition, including being repeatedly recognized by SuperLawyers in Maryland and Washington, D.C. in Family Law, and named a Top Attorney in Divorce by Bethesda Magazine, the Young Lawyer of the Year by the Bar Association of D.C., a Top 40 Under 40 Lawyer by the National Bar Association, a Top 100 Lawyer by the National Black Lawyers, a 10 Best Client Satisfaction Family Lawyer in Maryland by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, and received the Trailblazer Award from GWAC.
Michelle graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and The George Washington University Law School. For current information on divorce and family law, follow the firm @dcdivorce on IG, FB and Twitter. Feel free to connect with Michelle on LinkedIn.
First Admitted: 2004, Virginia
Professional Webpage: https://www.thomaslawdc.com/michelle-c-thomas.html
- Certified, Collaborative Divorce
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA
- The George Washington University Law School, JD
- Michelle C. Thomas presented a free community webinar to provide legal insight and information to persons navigating the challenges of co-parenting during a pandemic., Presenter, Co-Parenting Under Pressure, M.C. Thomas & Associates, PC, 2020
- Michelle C. Thomas served as a panelist on effective approaches to alternative dispute resolution at the National Bar Association's Mid-Year Conference in Dallas, Texas., Panelist, Effective Representation In and Outside of Court: A Primer on Dispute Resolution, National Bar Association, Mid-Year Conference , 2019
- SPEAKER, AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION SECTION OF FAMILY 2018 LAW FALL CONFERENCE (Tuscon, Arizona)-- Attorney Michelle Thomas was honored to be invited as a guest speaker at the American Bar Association, Section of Family Law Fall Conference in Tuscon, Arizona in October, 2018. As the only attorney panelist, Attorney Thomas lectured on the fundamentals, leading case law and legal strategies related to the imputation of income in alimony and child support cases, along with a vocational expert. , Speaker, ABA Fall Family Law Conference Panelist, Tuscon Arizona, American Bar Association, Family Law Practitioners Nationwide, 2018
- PRESENTER, NBA CLE-- Michelle C. Thomas presented a CLE on courtroom trial skills, oral advocacy and persuasion for CLE credit to fellow practitioners., Speaker, From the Boardroom to the Courtroom, National Bar Association, 2012
- Michelle C. Thomas presented a guest lecture on contracts at The George Washington University Law School., Speaker, Guest Lecturer, The George Washington University Law School
- Michelle Thomas appears on Court TV as guest legal analyst discussing the Johnny Depp Defamation Trial in Fairfax, Virginia., Michelle Thomas appears on Court TV - Johnny Depp Defamation Trial, 2022
- Real Housewives of Potomac Star consults with Divorce Attorney, Michelle Thomas on Bravo TV., Michelle Thomas appears on Bravo TV's RHOP, 2022
- Michelle C. Thomas appeared as a guest legal analyst on the Court TV show, Live with Michel Ayala. [Multiple Appearances], Court TV's Live with Michael Ayala, 2022
- Michelle Thomas appears on Dr. Sue & You on Roku Channel discussing Divorce and Child Custody issues in a Pandemic., Dr. Sue & You: Divorce During Pandemic, 2021
- Expert Guest Legal Analyst, BBC World News, Michelle C. Thomas comments and provides legal insight on the Bill Cosby decision on the BBC World News. , BBC World News: Bill Cosby Decision, 2021
- Michelle Thomas discusses increase in divorce filings since the start of the pandemic., Michelle Thomas appears on BNC re Divorce, 2020
- Expert Guest, Michelle C. Thomas appeared on WHUR 96.3 / SiriusXM’s The Daily Drum with Harold T. Fisher to discuss PRENUPS (and why you could need one!☝)., Expert Guest, The Daily Drum with Harold Fisher, WHUR/SiriusXM 141, 2019
- EXPERT RADIO GUEST ON WHUR'S THE DAILY DRUM (2018) --Attorney Michelle Thomas appeared as an Expert Guest on WHUR 96.3 FM's The Daily Drum with Harold Fisher on the show entitled, "Divorce Mistakes." Attorney Thomas provided insight on the worst divorce mistakes people make and how to avoid them, and answered callers' questions live., Expert Guest, The Daily Drum with Harold Fisher, "Divorce Mistakes", 2018
- Volunteer, Shepherd's Table. Michelle has been serving breakfast regularly at the soup kitchen, Shepherd's Table since January, 2019 (with a break during the pandemic), and organized members of a local Bar Association to begin serving collectively in 2019, which the bar continues to do presently., 2022
- Guest Speaker, Montgomery County, Maryland Commission for Women. Michelle has repeatedly served as the featured speaker for the Montgomery County, Maryland Commission for Women's Divorce Speaker Series on the divorce process from beginning to end. Michelle discussed how to prepare, alternatives to litigation, filing for divorce, the division of property, child custody and support considerations, and how best to prepare for the journey. Michelle's presentation was well-received based on the 5-star surveys submitted at the end., 2020
- CHAIR, Law Ministry, Reid Temple A.M.E. Church from 2012 through 2019. Planned Annual Law Day wherein hundreds attended free legal seminars on a variety of practice areas organized by the Ministry, among other service initiatives., 2019
- Guest Speaker, Montgomery County, Maryland Commission for Women. Michelle has repeatedly served as a featured speaker for the Montgomery County, Maryland Commission for Women's Divorce Speaker Series on the divorce process from beginning to end. Michelle discussed how to prepare, alternatives to litigation, filing for divorce, the division of property, child custody and support considerations, and how best to prepare for the journey. Michelle's presentation was well-received based on the 5-star surveys submitted at the end., 2019
- Presenter, Law Day 2019 (Glenn Dale, Md.). Michelle presented a free family law seminar for members of the community., 2019
- Presenter, Law Day 2018 (Glenn Dale, Md.). Michelle presented a free family law seminar for members of the community., 2018
- Presenter, Law Day 2017 (Glenn Dale, Md.). Michelle presented a free family law seminar for members of the community. , 2017
- Presenter, Law Day 2016 (Glenn Dale, Md.). Michelle presented a free family law seminar for members of the community., 2016
- Presenter, Law Day 2015 (Glenn Dale, Md.). Michelle presented a free family law seminar for members of the community., 2015
- Featured Divorce Attorney on Real Housewives of Potomac on BravoTV. Consulted with RHOP cast member and advised regarding her Virginia Divorce on air., 2022
- Hearing Committee, D.C. Bar Board on Professional Responsibility (2016 - 2022), 2022
- D.C. Bar Board of Governors (Elected-Contested) (2012-2015) , 2015
- Chair, Small Firms' Taskforce, National Bar Association, 2014
- Board of Governors, National Bar Association, 2013
- Chair, Practice Management Service Committee, D.C. Bar, 2012
- Appointment, D.C. Bar Nominations Committee, 2011
- Board Member, Black Law Alumni Assocaition, The George Washington University Law School, 2010
- Chair, Professional Development Committee, National Bar Association Young Lawyers' Division, 2010
- Board of Directors, Women's Bar Association of D.C. Foundation, 2008
- President, Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers' Division, National Bar Association, 2007
- Board Member, Young Lawyers' Division, Washington Bar Association, 2004
- Recognized as a 2023 SuperLawyer for Family Law in Maryland. This prestigious recognition is awarded to no more than 5% of all lawyers in each state based upon a peer nomination and rigorous research process., SuperLawyers, Maryland Family Law, Super Lawyers, 2023
- Recognized as a 2022 SuperLawyer for Family Law in Maryland. This prestigious recognition is awarded to no more than 5% of all lawyers in each state based upon a peer nomination and rigorous research process., SuperLawyers, Maryland Family Law, Super Lawyers, 2022
- Michelle C. Thomas received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the National Bar Association's Top 40 Under 40 for her significant contributions to the legal profession and community. , Top 40 Under 40 - Outstanding Alumni Award, National Bar Association, 2021
- Recognized as a 2019 SuperLawyer for Family Law in Washington, DC. This prestigious recognition is awarded to no more than 5% of all lawyers in each state based upon a peer nomination and rigorous research process., SuperLawyers, Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers, 2019
- Michelle has been named a 2019 Top Divorce Lawyer by Bethesda Magazine, an honor bestowed upon select attorneys after thorough market research and peer surveys., Top Attorney, Divorce, Bethesda Magazine , 2019
- Michelle C. Thomas received the Trailblazer Award from the women’s bar association, GWAC! This award was given to Michelle for leading with excellence in the legal community, and blazing trails for young women lawyers and aspiring attorneys., Trailblazer Award, Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers' Division, NBA, 2018
- Michelle has been selected as a Top 10 Family Lawyer in Maryland by the American Jurist Institute., Top 10 Family Lawyer, American Jurist Institute, 2018
- 2015 - 2017 TOP 100 - NATIONAL BLACK LAWYERS The Top 100 is an invitation-only professional honorary organization composed of the Top 100 Black Lawyers or Non-Black Attorneys who serve individuals, families and businesses. Members of The National Black Lawyers - Top 100 exemplify superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence and performance in their area of legal practice., Top 100 , The National Black Lawyers, 2017
- Recognized as a 2016 SuperLawyer Rising Star in Family Law in Washington, D.C. based upon a rigorous review process., SuperLawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2016
- Recognized as a 2015 SuperLawyer Rising Star in Family Law in Washington, D.C. based upon a rigorous review process., SuperLawyers Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2015
- Michelle has been repeatedly named to the 10 Best Family Lawyers Client Satisfaction List in Maryland., 10 Best Family Lawyers - Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2015
- NATION'S TOP 40 UNDER 40 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The National Bar Association (NBA) is honoring Trial Attorney Michelle C. Thomas as one of the "Top 40 Under 40" at its 89th Annual meeting of the National Bar Association in Atlanta, GA on July 26, 2014. For the last four years the NBA has hosted a gala celebration to honor the rising star attorneys under the age of 40. This award honors legal trailblazers who have achieved prominence and distinction in their fields of endeavor -- be it the practice of law, academia, business, civic and charitable affairs, the judiciary, or politics -- and who have demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the goals and mission of the NBA., Nation's Top 40 Under 40, National Bar Association, 2014
- DIVISION OF THE YEAR-- Under Michelle's leadership and term as President, the Young Lawyers' Division was named the "Division of the Year" by the National Bar Association, the Bar's highest honor given to its one of its national divisions each year. Under Michelle's leadership, the Division raised approximately $40,000, increased membership by 55%, and influenced the lives of young lawyers and the underprivileged in an unparalleled way., Division of the Year, National Bar Association, 2013
- PRESIDENT'S AWARD--Michelle received the President's Award from President Vanita Banks of the National Bar Association for her outstanding service to the Bar, including her organization of civic and community outreach events and fundraising, and strong leadership of the D.C. Chapter of the Women Lawyers' Division of the Bar., President's Award, National Bar Association, 2008
- MERITORIOUS AWARD-- Michelle received the Meritorious Award from the Young Lawyers' Division of the National Bar Association for her outstanding contributions to the Division, including the development of innovative CLE programs, lectures and professional development opportunities for members., Meritorious Award, National Bar Association, 2008
- NATIONAL AFFILIATE CHAPTER OF THE YEAR AWARD-- Under Michelle's leadership as President of the Greater Washington Area Chapter, Women Lawyers' Division of the National Bar Association, GWAC was named the NBA's Affiliate of the Year for its outstanding service to the bar and community., Affiliate Chapter of the Year, National Bar Association, 2008
- YOUNG LAWYER OF THE YEAR Michelle C. Thomas is being honored for her unyielding service and leadership in the community, and commitment to excellence in the law during its Annual Awards Gala at the JW Marriott. The evening includes a cocktail reception, dinner, dessert, dancing, and an award ceremony honoring BADC's Judicial Honoree of the Year, Lawyer of the Year, Honorable Annice M. Wagner Pioneer Award Winner, and Young Lawyer of the Year. The Gala attracts hundreds of members of the bench, bar and legal community to celebrate the BADC's four honorees, including Ms. Thomas., Young Lawyer of the Year, Bar Association of the District of Columbia, 2007
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- Super Lawyers: 2022 - 2024