The Law Office of Monica Guilarte LLC strives to achieve results that exceed client expectations through *being accessible, responsive and efficient *making client’s needs a priority through aggressive and vigilant representation in a cost-effective manner *providing an open, honest and sincere environment *recognizing that every client is unique and requires special care to tailor to their needs.
Monica M. Guilarte was born on August 2, 1985. Monica’s father and grandparents were immigrants from Cuba and came to the United States in 1967 for a new beginning. They arrived knowing minimal to no English, and were only permitted to bring with them the clothes on their backs. Monica grew up hearing many stories from her grandparents of their struggles trying to survive in a foreign country. These stories heard at a very young age instilled in her qualities of determination, strength, and drive; qualities which would foster Monica to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer.
Monica is a native to the Columbia area, and attended high school at River Hill High. It was during her high school years when Monica knew she wanted to pursue a career as a lawyer. She was always the “hard-head” of the family, arguing to the end of every discussion with her parents and siblings.
Upon graduating from River Hill High School, Monica continued her education and attended University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. She pursued a degree in Criminology. Monica was on the Dean’s List and inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts and as an official Florida Gator!
Unsure if she was ready to immediately start law school, Monica moved back to Maryland in May 2007 to look for employment. In August of 2007, Monica was hired as a receptionist at Shapiro & Mack. While working as a receptionist and becoming engaged in the day to day activities of a lawyer, Monica knew for sure her high school goal of becoming a lawyer was what she wanted. Monica’s first step toward her dream was being accepted to the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2008. While working at Shapiro & Mack full time, Monica attended night classes at University of Baltimore. As she excelled in her academics at the Law School, Monica also worked her way up the ladder at Shapiro & Mack. Her passion and drive were paramount in her move from receptionist, to legal assistant, to paralegal at Shapiro & Mack.
As a paralegal, Monica worked closely alongside the attorneys at Shapiro & Mack in the firm’s primary practice areas of criminal defense, personal injury, and collections. Monica assisted the Shapiro & Mack attorneys on a number of cases, including but not limited to, being a part of the trial team that prevailed with dismissals on the only First Degree Murder case dismissed by the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office in this century.
In an effort to graduate early from Law School, Monica took summer classes each semester. Through many sacrifices and hard work, Monica graduated a semester early from University of Baltimore School of Law in December 2011. Her first attempt at the Maryland Bar exam was in February 2011. Monica was one of the 65% who passed the exam that year. Her dream was finally a reality.
Prior to starting her own firm, Monica worked as an associate attorney at Shapiro & Mack. During that time, she was the lead attorney handling the Collections Department. Monica also gained experience by handling personal injury cases, criminal and traffic matters, numerous motor vehicle administration hearings, and protective/peace order hearings.
On January 28, 2015, Monica made the decision to start her own firm and opened the Law Office of Monica Guilarte, LLC.
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
MD | Active | 2012 | 03/30/2022 |
Legal answers | 29 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2018 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2017 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers Association | 2017 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2016 |
10 Best | American Institute of Personal Injury Lawyers | 2016 |
Top 10 Under 40 | National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys | 2016 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner | Law Office of Monica Guilarte | 2015 - Present |
Lawyer | Shapiro & Mack | 2012 - 2015 |
Paralegal | Shapiro & Mack | 2007 - 2012 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Maryland State Bar Association | Member | N/A |
Howard County Bar Association | Member | N/A |
Woman's Maryland Bar Association | Member | N/A |
Woman's Howard County Bar Association | Member | N/A |
Maryland Association for Justice | Member | N/A |
Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys' Association | Member | N/A |
American Bar Association | Member | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Baltimore School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2012 |
University of Florida | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2007 |
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Seth Okin, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 7, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
An absolute asset to the legal community. Ms. Guilarte gives every client her all and the results speak for themselves. She has always been at the top of her craft and it is a pleasure to see her work. She is skilled in her abilities to negotiate and in trial. You're in very good hands with Monica Guilarte.
Charlie Soto, Debt collection Attorney on Nov 16, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Seth Okin, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 7, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
An absolute asset to the legal community. Ms. Guilarte gives every client her all and the results speak for themselves. She has always been at the top of her craft and it is a pleasure to see her work. She is skilled in her abilities to negotiate and in trial. You're in very good hands with Monica Guilarte.
Charlie Soto, Debt collection Attorney on Nov 16, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Dorothy Bunce, Debt settlement Attorney on Oct 7, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I am happy to endorse Monica Marie Guilarte. Ms Guilarte is quick witted and has a broad understanding of how the legal systems works in reality in addition to understanding legal theory, often called "mumbo jumbo" by clients.
Omid Azari, Debt collection Attorney on Oct 6, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Guilarte is a true professional and knows her way around the courtroom.
Erick Gracia, Debt collection Attorney on Apr 8, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Guilarte is aggressive, professional, and knowledgable. Clients that use her services are in good hands.
Camara Mintz, Debt collection Attorney on Apr 6, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I'm very excited to endorse Ms. Guilarte. She is competent, respected within the legal community and always well prepared. She also has tremendous work ethic which is evidenced by the magnificent effort she puts forth on behalf of her clients. Clients are always in good hands when Ms. Guilarte is on their side.
Sharareh Hoidra, Personal injury Attorney on Apr 6, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Guilarte is a highly skilled and confident attorney. When it comes to negotiations or trial, I've never seen her give anything but her best and her clients love her for it! She is truly an asset to the legal community.
Sherry Myers, General practice Attorney on Oct 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Guilarte is conscientious and professional and truly cares about helping her clients through the difficult legal situations they are facing. She takes the time to get to know her clients as people and in helping them to develop a strategy for moving forward from their current circumstances to the new future they want to create.
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