[Si Hablo Espanol] “My singular focus is to achieve the client's goals in a professional, cost-effective and strategic manner, to ensure that the results accomplished for my client will remain long-lasting and provide them with peace of mind.” Carlos M. Lastra is a Partner and Co-chair of Cipriani & Werner’s Washington DC Metropolitan area Family Law practice group, Chair of the Florida Litigation and Family Law practice groups, and a member of its Litigation practice group. Mr. Lastra is an elite lawyer who provides clients with diligent, strategic, thoughtful and effective representation, addressing both their immediate concerns and securing long-term solutions, in arguably the toughest times imaginable. Mr. 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 celebrity and highly sensitive divorces, involving hidden assets, and cases involving the acquirement of digital computer forensic evidence, as well as child custody relocation matters, to prenuptial agreements, all with the focus of preserving his clients’ ability to maintain their familial relationships, as well as their financial well-being. Mr. Lastra’s range of family law litigation experience also includes divorce, alimony, custody, child support, paternity, and property distribution cases. He also handles matters involving guardianships over property and individuals, including both minors and vulnerable adults, as well as contempt/enforcement actions, modifications actions, and domestic violence cases in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Florida. Applying skills honed over thirty years of recurrent civil and criminal trials before judges and juries in federal and state courtrooms in multiple jurisdictions, Mr. Lastra 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. In addition to Family Law, Mr. Lastra has also represented individuals and small businesses, in numerous jury trials, 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 matters. As a result, Carlos Lastra is a highly accomplished trial lawyer who is sought after and regularly appears on television as a legal commentator, including Court TV, Fox, ABC and CBS, and 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, Best Lawyers in America, Superlawyers, as well as Family Law Practitioner of the Year. Mr. Lastra’s intricate knowledge of complex domestic-relations cases and his ability to anticipate the opposition to develop effective case strategies, has earned him an “AV” rating, the highest rating possible from clients, peers and judges, by Martindale Hubbell. He is a Top-rated attorney. In addition to his legal acumen, Mr. Lastra 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.
About Mr. Carlos Mariano Lastra
Awards
Reviews for Carlos
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Leave a review about your experience with this lawyer.The preparation of my case was exceptional, his experience contested his knowledge, the application of the law and the understanding of my situation. Mr. Lastra is a professional, who's determination in my difficult divorce case showed me hope of a final resolution. A zealous defense is what I needed something that Mr. Lastra provided for me, for me it was important feel understood in my native language spanish;with Mr. Lastra i did,I can't imagine another attorney representing me than Mr.Lastra
Mr Lastra has been my attorney for several years for the simple reason that he seeks and delivers the best possible outcome for my case every time. As his client, I observed and benefited first hand from his extensive knowledge of the law, his impeccable professionalism, his complete command of the courtroom, and his negotiating savoir-faire at the mediation table. Highly ethical and sensitive to my financial situation, Mr Lastra's professional skills and efficiency ensure that his fees are money well spent and utilized in the most effective way to ultimately accomplish the best results. Above all Mr Lastra is a brilliant strategist. And that in itself is an asset that is priceless. When it comes to the welfare of your children or your assets, you simply can't afford not to hire Mr Lastra and you definitely can't afford your ex to hire him before you do.
Mr. Lastra provided sound legal advice that far exceed my expectations. He ligated a complicated 9 day cohabitation case that involved recoupment of alimony. The judgment was award in an amount that exceed the amount requested due to the strong and compelling case Mr. Lastra presented to the court.
The case had many complex issues, including ESI (Electronic Stored Information) which Mr. Lastra navigated with confidence. He had a strong, commanding presence in the court room.
Mr. Lastra helped me with a complicated Child Custody and Child Support case. He was incredibly professional and honest. He never misled me or told me what I wanted to hear. I would recommend him without reservation.
Reviews suggested that in Mr. Lastra, I would find someone ethical, focused, strategic, honest, hard-working and successful. I was, however, a tad skeptical he could live up to these accolades. After our initial consultation, I felt confident he would meet my expectations. But over the course of working with him, I learned he was so much more than what I had hoped for. I recommend Carlos Lastra without hesitation, for I know, from experience, that the family who retains him will be a happy one.
My situation revolved around domestic abuse. Mr. Lastra's knowledge provided me with a solid position regarding jurisdiction. He anticipated the opposition I might have encountered and developed a strategy to block it quickly and effectively. In court he competently presented my position because he was fully prepared and well organized. He explained his charges clearly ad described some actions he took to minimize my costs. Mr. Lastra is an attorney with a good heart and a good mind.
If you are in need of an attorney specializing in family law, hire Carlos Lastra. You won’t be disappointed. I had an unusual case that had the potential to be complicated. Carlos Lastra made sure I was fully prepared and confident by the time we walked in the courtroom. I could not be happier with his services, and I was thrilled to have him on my side.
Mr. Lastra represented me in a divorce case that went for mediation. He kept me informed and was professional throughout. He was knowledgable and well prepared. teaming up with another attorney in that firm, Heather Sweren! I could not have asked for a better representation. I highly recommend him.
Carlos is an excellent attorney. He was the second attorney that handled my divorce and was able to finalize it. He is extremely professional, very candid and does not give you any false hopes. He was easy to get in touch with, he responded within 24 hours and most of the time he responded the same day. I highly recommend him.
Experience
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Bar Admission & MembershipsAdmissions1992, Florida
1993, United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
1994, District of Columbia
1994, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
1994, United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
2000, Maryland
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Education & CertificationsLaw SchoolUniversity of Miami School of Law
Class of 1992
J.D.
Other EducationUniversity of Miami
Class of 1989
B.A.
Contact Mr. Carlos Mariano Lastra
3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 700Bethesda, MD 20814U.S.A.
Show on map100 M Street SE, Suite 600Washington, DC 20003U.S.A.
Show on map603 E. Fort King StreetOcala, FL 34471U.S.A.
Show on mapOther Office Locations
Washington, DC
100 M Street SE, Suite 600Washington, DC 20003U.S.A.
Show on mapOcala, FL
603 E. Fort King StreetOcala, FL 34471U.S.A.
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Attorneys FAQs
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Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?Yes, Mr. Carlos Mariano Lastra is admitted to practice in District of Columbia, Florida and Maryland.
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Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?Mr. Carlos Mariano Lastra is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
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Does this attorney speak any other languages?Mr. Carlos Mariano Lastra speaks Spanish.
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Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?Yes, Mr. Carlos Mariano Lastra has a 4.8 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
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Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Client Review rated?Yes, Mr. Carlos Mariano Lastra has a 5.0 Client Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.