Dorothy R. Fait

Partner

Dorothy Fait’s impressive credentials have made her a pillar of the legal community in Montgomery County and beyond. Her handling of complex family law cases has helped set legal precedents for family law issues in Maryland and The District of Columbia. She strives to help vulnerable individuals navigate complex and often emotionally draining situations. Dorothy has a special interest in mediation.

For five years, Dorothy served as a commissioner on the Maryland State Ethics Commission, helping to combat corruption in the state. In Montgomery County, Dorothy was the President of the Commission for Women and is the President of the Family Justice Center. She is also a member of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and chaired the Spouse Abuse Task Force.

Dorothy was awarded a lifetime position as a Program co-chair on the Inns of Court, a consortium of lawyers, judges and others interested in promoting professionalism and the highest level of integrity and ethics in the legal system.

Dorothy is officially retiring from active practice in 2024 but will still be handling a few matters for her existing clients as well as handling the firm’s major mediation cases.  

Appointments

• Chair of the Maryland State Bar Association’s Family Law Section
• Member of various bar associations:
• American Bar
• D.C. Bar
• Women’s Bar of Maryland and Montgomery County
• President of the Montgomery County Commission for Women
• Participant in the State of Maryland’s Family Law Task Force
• Lifetime member of the Montgomery County Inns of Court
• Program Co-Chair of the Montgomery County Inns of Court
• Commissioner on the Maryland State Ethics Commission – 5 Years
• Chair of the Montgomery Spouse Abuse Task Force
• Current Treasurer of the Montgomery County Family Justice Center
• Participant in the Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council

Dorothy’s long list of respectable achievements and legal appointments within the communities she serves have made her a standout figure in Montgomery’s legal landscape. As a result of her tireless work in Maryland and D.C. family law cases, Dorothy has found herself the recipient of numerous prestigious legal awards including:

Awards

• Best Lawyers 2024 – Dorothy Fait
• Best Law Firms – Ranked by Best Lawyers – 2024
• Best Lawyers 2023 – Dorothy Fait
• Best Law Firms – U.S. News – 2023
• Best Law Firms – Ranked by Best Lawyers – 2022
• Maryland and D.C. Super Lawyers – 2006-2016
• Washingtonian Magazine Top Lawyers – 2015
• Family Justice Center of Montgomery County Founder’s Award – 2015
• The Daily Record Leadership in Law Award – 2013
• The Daily Record Circle of Excellence – 2011
• The Daily Record Maryland’s 100 Top Women – 2004, 2007
• Greater Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse Woman of Valor Award – 2003

Dorothy has spent her life working with vulnerable individuals in family law cases, helping them navigate complex and often emotionally draining cases. As a result of her devotion to serving her communities, Dorothy has been involved in a number of notable cases. Some of her reported cases include:

Notable Cases

• Boemio v. Boemio., 414 Md. 118 (2010)
  Concerning when a court should consider the use of non-statutory alimony guidelines to settle a divorce
• Mills v. Mills, 178 Md. App. 728, 943 A.2d 677 (2008)
  Considered whether the courts have revisory power in qualified domestic relations orders
• Richards v. Richards, 166 Md. App. 263, 888 A.2d 364 (2005)
  Revolved around division in a divorce, including the topics of equitable distribution and monetary awards
• Collins v. Collins, 144 Md. App. 395, 798 A.2d 1155 (2002)
  Concerning the divisibility of military pensions in a divorce
• Sczudlo v. Berry, 129 Md. App. 529, 743 A.2d 268 (1999)
  Covered the role of income in child support cases where individuals fall outside the income limits for child support guidelines
• Geramifar v. Geramifar, 113 Md. App. 495, 688 A.2d 475 (1997)
  A case about equitable adoption law
• Caldwell v. Caldwell, 103 Md. App. 452, 653 A.2d 994 (1995)
  Concerned what factors should play a role in determining indefinite alimony
• Wilson v. Wilson, 87 Md. App. 547, 590 A.2d 579 (1991)
  Covered how much impact decrees issued out of state should hold on domestic cases in Maryland
• Dorsey v. Dorsey, 302 Md. 312, 487 A.2d 1181 (1985)
  Case that helped define the law of gift in marriage between spouses

Dorothy focuses on complex family law cases and has been involved in several cases where she has helped set a legal precedent for family law issues in Maryland and D.C.

Dorothy currently serves Fait & DiLima, LLP, putting her wealth of legal experience to the test helping clients navigate their cases. Dorothy’s work has already made her a pillar of the legal community in Montgomery and beyond, and she’s just getting started.

Client Testimonials

• “Dorothy has been a great support throughout this divorce process. I am very grateful for her understanding and kindness during this hard time of my life.”
• “Dorothy was the perfect mixture of professionally skillful and also kind and empathetic. Her many years of experience in family law gave her the knowledge to help me keep focused on my children and on the future throughout a very dark time. I could not recommend her more highly.”
• “Dorothy had a 10/10 Avvo rating, which is based on client reviews, but also on recognition from the legal community, years of experience and leadership activities. She was always responsive, professional and clearly an expert.”
• “When I hired Dorothy and a colleague, I had been two years in the divorce process already. I was hopeless. They put everything in order in less than two months and negotiated me a settlement. I saved time and a lot of money.”
• “Thank you, Dorothy for enabling me to rebuild my life, for myself and my daughter.”
• “Thank you for all of your dedication and hard work on my case, and especially your compassion and humor in tough situations. I couldn’t have asked for better representation.”