Carlos Lastra

Carlos Lastra as Co-Chair of Paley Rothman’s Family Law practice and a member of its Litigation practice group, Carlos Lastra provides clients with diligent, thoughtful and effective representation, addressing both their immediate concerns and securing long-term solutions, in arguably the toughest times imaginable.

Applying skills honed over a quarter of a century of recurrent civil and criminal trials before judges and juries in federal and state courtrooms in multiple jurisdictions, Carlos employs his rich trial experience to create a strategy custom-made to meet the client’s objectives, anticipate the opposing party’s tactics, and ultimately achieve his client’s goals.

Over the last 26 years, Carlos Lastra has represented individuals and small businesses, in a wide diversity of cases ranging from criminal conspiracy, fraud, R.I.C.O., and white collar criminal cases, to contract claims, shareholder’s derivative actions, construction disputes, professional malpractice defense, and other commercial litigation cases, as well as family law matters.

As a result, Carlos is a highly accomplished trial lawyer who has been honored throughout his career with numerous awards and distinctions, including Legal Elite – Washington’s Top Attorneys, Smart CEO Magazine, top “Divorce Attorney” by Washingtonian and Bethesda Magazine, as well as Family Law Practitioner of the Year.

Carlos Lastra has represented clients in all aspects of family law – from complex high net worth divorces, with closely held businesses and property spanning multiple jurisdictions including foreign countries, to highly sensitive divorces including hidden assets, and cases involving the acquirement of digital computer forensic evidence, all with the focus of preserving his clients’ ability to maintain their familial relationships, as well as their financial well-being.

His knowledge, experience, and interest in advanced technology for use in cases also enables him to provide his clients with cutting edge service. As one example, through his use of digital forensic evidence, Carlos was able to secure a combined seven figure judgment for his client for alimony he should not have been paying.

Carlos Lastra’s range of family law litigation experience includes divorce, alimony, custody, child support, paternity, and property distribution cases. He also handles matters involving contempt/enforcement actions, modifications actions, and domestic violence cases in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

In addition to his legal acumen, Carlos is fluent in Spanish and is an active member in Hispanic civil and professional organizations. While in law school, he was a Certified Legal Intern, prosecuting felony cases for the Law Offices of Janet Reno, Miami-Dade State’s Attorney. He also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Leonard M. Rivikind.