Attorneys

“I am grateful for the gift my clients gave me by entrusting me with their deeply personal concerns and for the opportunity to serve them with care and respect. ”

Deborah Cohn

Principal

301-229-5023

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Thank you for working with me here at Paley Rothman.  After many years with the firm, I will be retiring. 

Existing clients can contact me using the updated information above. 

It has been a privilege serving as your counsel over the years and my best wishes for the future!
 

Bar Admissions
  • Maryland

  • District of Columbia

Education
  • J.D., With Honors, George Washington University National Law Center, 1978

  • A.B., Cum Laude, Bryn Mawr College, 1974

Accolades & Awards
  • Best Lawyers in America - Best Lawyers (2015-2023)
         - Trusts and Estates

  • Best Law Firms – U.S. News & Best Lawyers
             - Tier 2 National Ranking for Trusts & Estates
             - Tier 1 Metropolitan (D.C. area) Ranking for Trusts & Estates

  • "Top Lawyers" - Washingtonian Magazine (2018, 2020, 2022)

  • “Washington’s Best Lawyers,” Trusts and Estates, Washingtonian Magazine (2017)

  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (2011-present)

  • Maryland Super Lawyers (2014-2023)

  • Washington D.C. Super Lawyers (2014-2020)

  • “Top Estate Attorneys,” Washington Metro Area, Washingtonian Magazine (2012, 2016)

  • “Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Montgomery County, Maryland,” Bethesda Magazine (2011)

  • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

In The News
Recent Publications
Civic & Community Involvement
  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel - Fellow; Member, Financial Action Task Force on Money-Laundering (2012-present); International Estate Planning Committee (2014-present)

  • Estate and Trust Section of the Montgomery County Bar Association - Past Co-Chair

  • International Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP-USA) - Member

  • Washington D.C. Estate Planning Council - Member

  • Estate and Trust Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association – Past Chair (2012)

  • United Jewish Endowment Fund - Trustee (2005-2011)

  • Jewish Federation of Greater Washington - Past Treasurer (2001-2004)

  • Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County - Vice President for Finance and Development

  • Jewish Community Relations Council, United Jewish Communities – Past Director

  • National Women’s Philanthropy Board, United Jewish Communities – Past Director

Speeches & Presentations
  • "Estate & Gift Taxes for U.S. Citizens," World Bank Pension Department Pre-Retirement Seminar (2017)

  • "International Estate Planning: Case Study," MSBA 2017 International Estate Planning Conference (2017)

  • “Estate Planning for U.S. Citizens, Residents and Non-Residents,” 1818 Society of the World Bank Group (2015)

  • “Elder Financial Abuse and Fraud,” Suburban Hospital Estate Planning Journal Club (2014)

  • “International Estate Planning,” World Bank Pension Department Pre-Retirement Seminars (2007-2015)

  •  “Who is in the Family? Changing Definitions of Child, Issue, Spouse and Marriage in Maryland,” Judicial Institute of Maryland (2013)

  • “Legislative Wins and Losses in the 2012 Maryland General Assembly,” Advanced Estate Planning Institute, Maryland State Bar Association (2012)

  • “What to Expect in the Maryland General Assembly in 2013,” Annual Meeting of the Maryland Association of Judges of the Orphans’ Courts (2012)

  • “Understanding the Role of the Personal Representative,” National Business Institute (2011)

  • “Taking the First Steps: Filing an Estate in Probate Court,” National Business Institute (2011)

  • “Succession Planning for Business Owners,” The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce (2011)

  • “Basic Estate Planning for the Mid-Sized Estate of $2 Million to $10 Million,” District of Columbia Bar Association Continuing Legal Education (2011)

  • “Using and Drafting Trusts in Estate Planning: Marital Deduction Trusts and Life Insurance Trusts,” Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (2011, 2009, 2007, 2005)

  • “Eight Greatest Estate Planning Techniques in Maryland: Estate Planning for Non-U.S. Citizens, GRATs and Sales to Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts,” LORMAN (2003)