BIO

Rockville and Bethesda family lawyer Sylvia F. Borenstein was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2011. She is also admitted to the District of Columbia Bar and the New York State Bar. She received her J.D. from SUNY Buffalo Law School in 2008. Sylvia attended Syracuse University where she earned her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in History and Television, Radio & Film.

Before she began her legal career, Sylvia worked in documentary film and television production. Upon her graduation from Syracuse University, Sylvia moved to New York City where she worked with a number of independent producers on their documentary film projects, including Academy Award-nominated The Collector of Bedford Street. During her work on The Collector of Bedford Street, Sylvia became engaged in a number of community outreach projects related to the film, and realized her true passion was advocacy. She decided law would provide her with the best opportunity to be an advocate for those in need.

During law school, Sylvia was on the Buffalo Human Rights Law Review where she served as an Articles Editor and Case Notes Editor. Sylvia served as Vice President of Academic Affairs of her law school’s chapter of the International Law Students Association. Also during law school, Sylvia was a research assistant to a law professor conducting a study on the best practices of coordinated community response (The Duluth Model), devising strategies to intervene and end the cycle of domestic violence. Sylvia has partnered with other attorneys in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland to draft legislation. She has provided legal counseling in a collaborative effort within Montgomery County to families facing extreme financial disparities and legal status concerns while managing her own case commitments and supporting the partners in contentious family matters.

Sylvia is a member of the Family Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association, the Bar Association of Montgomery County, the District of Columbia Bar, and the New York State Bar Association. In her free time, Sylvia enjoys exploring the area’s parks with her husband and son, and continues to show her support for independent film by volunteering at events such as Filmfest DC.