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Bethany Gayle Shechtel

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Bethany Shechtel
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About Bethany

Empowering Clients & Building Paths Forward

Bethany G. Shechtel is a native Washingtonian and grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. Bethany is a graduate of Richard Montgomery High School, Towson University, College of Notre Dame of Maryland, and the University of the District of Columbia Law School.

Bethany comes to the legal profession with a strong background in education. Bethany worked for the better half of a decade as a teacher in both Baltimore City, Maryland, and Miami-Dade County, Florida, prior to entering law school.

Capitalizing on her experience and background in education, Bethany handles cases relating to family law, domestic violence, guardianship, juvenile, and special education matters.

Upon entering law school at NOVA Southeastern University Law School, Bethany was selected to be a member of the NOVA Trial Association, Vice-President of the International Law Student Association and an editor of the International Greenbook. Upon moving back to the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area and transferring to the University of the District of Columbia School of Law, Bethany graduated top in her class earning Summa Cum Laude. Bethany, through the Juvenile and Special Education Law Clinic at UDC, successfully worked for clients at Due Process Hearings and acted as an educational advocate in criminal sentencing hearings, due process hearings, parole revocation hearings, and has worked with school systems both public and private to ensure success for the individual student. Bethany also served as a research assistant to both Professor Andrew Ferguson and Adrienne Jones* and was able to maintain a full academic course load while employed as a law clerk. Shortly after graduating from law school the American Bar Association published an article Bethany wrote on the use of neuroscience in juvenile criminal cases**.

Bethany is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association, Montgomery County Bar Association, Frederick County Bar Association, serves as a Board Member for the Simon E. Sobeloff Jewish Law Society and is active in the Montgomery County Women’s Bar Association. Additionally, Bethany has been selected as a SuperLawyers Rising Star (2017 – 2019) and received the Avvo Client’s Choice Badge (2015).

Practice areas

OtherChild custodyDivorce and separationWills and living willsFamily
  1. Family: 30%

    Family includes: Adoption, Alimony, Child Abuse, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Separation, Guardianship, Marriage and Prenuptuals, Domestic Violence, Peace Orders, and Uncontested Divorce

  2. Wills and living wills: 20%

    Wills and Living wills include: Wills, Trusts (special needs, irrevocable, revocable, pour-over), Estates, Probate, Will Contests, Litigation.

  3. Divorce and separation: 20%

  4. Child custody: 20%

  1. Domestic violence: 5%

  2. Alimony: 5%

Languages spoken

English

Client's Choice 2015

Photos and videos

4670161 1555071200

Contact

110 N. Washington Street, Suite 404
address map

BGS Law, LLC

110 N. Washington Street, Suite 404
Rockville, MD, 20850

Office (301) 579-3123
Fax (301) 579-3393

Website

https://bgslawllc.com/

BGS Law, LLC

143 W. Patrick Street
Frederick, MD, 20701

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
FLMember in Good Standing201708/31/2020
MDActive201408/30/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers2
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Rising StarSuper Lawyers2019
Rising StarSuper Lawyers2018
Rising StarSuper Lawyers2017
10 Best Female AttorneyAmerican Law Institute2017
Clients' Choice BadgeAvvo2015
Summa Cum LaudeUniversity of the District of Columbia School of Law2014
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
MemberBGS Law, LLC2018 - Present
AttorneyShechtel and Associates, PA2015 - 2018
AttorneyChild Justice Center, LLC2015 - 2018
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Simon E. Sobeloff SocietyBoard Member2015 - Present
Maryland State Bar AssociationN/AN/A
Maryland State Bar Association, Family and Juvenile Law SectionN/AN/A
American Bar AssociationN/AN/A
Maryland Association for JusticeN/AN/A
Women's Bar Association of MarylandLiasion to BAMCN/A
American Association for Justice chapterN/AN/A
Montgomery County Bar AssociationExecutive Committee Liason2017 - 2019
American Inns of CourtN/A2016 - 2017
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
ABAUsing Neuroscience in a Juvenile CriminalCase2014
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
College of Notre Dame of MarylandN/A2007
Towson UniversityBS - Bachelor of Science2005
University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of LawJD - Juris DoctorN/A
Nova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad Law CenterN/AN/A
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
BAMC Continuing Legal EducationProtective/Peace Orders And Their Possible Impact to Consider in Family, Immigration, and Criminal Proceedings2017

Reviews

(11)
5 Star
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4 Star
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Review Bethany Shechtel

Divorce and custody

Posted by

I absolutely recommend hiring Bethany! She has made my divorce and custody process the most smooth as she possibly can! She responds to all messages and emails in a timely manner and breaks down EVERYTHING to her best ability for you to understand. She puts my children first to make sure everything is in the best interest of the children. She is very much worth every penny and I am so thankful for her
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Amazing Lawyer!!!!!

Posted by

One of the most amazing lawyers I have ever met. My husband and I had a very difficult crazy family court case. We thought there was no hope and it was only a month from trial, she got us an amazing settlement. She ensured we got her everything that was needed. I personally was so nervous about everything but she calmed and explained everything to us. She ensured we were comfortable and fought for everything we wanted. Our outcome could have been rough with us only getting her in such a short amount of time, but it turned out to be the best that could have happened. When we had a question or needed her guidance we always got an answer and quickly too. I highly recommend her to anyone. We have already referred her to a number of people. And they are also unbelievably happy too. We are also ensuring we keep her for anything in the future. If Bethany is in your corner you can relax because she is amazing and fights for her clients.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Shechtel and Associates

Posted by

Stephen and Bethany Shechtel are a father-daughter combo. I have worked with both and I am impressed, not only with their knowledge of family law, but with their commitment to ensuring that their clients are informed and represented to the fullest extent. They are very accessible and go beyond, not only what other lawyers would do, but what most people would do. This duo thinks and acts on the behalf of their clients so fervently and aggressively that you feel like family. I am beyond happy and emphatically recommend Stephen and Bethany Shechtel; I am less stressed and feel more protected since securing their services.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Amazing lawyer and law firm!!

Posted by

Bethany was very thorough, she kept me updated at all times and strategically led me in all the right directions for me to gain custody of my 3 kids! She’s very aggressive, smart and tells it how it is... Her paralegal Jennifer was also amazing making sure I had all my documents in line, reminding me of court dates, and ensuring Bethany had everything ready for meetings and court days! I would DEFINITELY recommend this firm!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Stand and Deliver!!

Posted by

After a morning of despair mounting, I reached out and was connected with Bethany Shechtel. She is the silver lining in a cloud of fear and misfortune. Bethany took the time to listen to my case. She was patient, kind, professional, and exhibited a no-nonsense, straight-forward type of honesty that set the stage. She was willing to work with me, in defense of my four children, regardless of the short notice (four days, only 2 which were actual business days). And regardless of the difficulties of our case, Bethany of Shechtel and Associates,delivered us a positive outcome!! She is truly a blessing for our family. If you are prepared to be honest and do your best to prepare for Court, you have come to the right place for supreme representation. I am ever so grateful for the time, work, and efforts that Bethany put in to defend my family. We could not have done it without Shechtel and Associates.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Shechtel will always represent me!

Posted by

Ms. Shechtel and staff are absolutely phenomenal. They always made me feel that I was the most important client. I feel they were always one step ahead to protect me and my best interest. She is very knowledgeable and precise. I highly recommend this firm I was very happy with my settlement. The office is very convenient in the city of Rockville near the courts. Barbara
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Amazing

Posted by

Bethany really makes you feel like one of her own. She takes you under her wing and treats you fairly amd honestly. She is very good at what she does amd she uses every bit of her knowledge to help you las if you were family.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Great Lawyer

Posted by

Ms. Shechtel is a passionate and intelligent individual whom is very knowledgeable in domestic matters. Trustworthy and easy to feel comfortable to work with. I would absolutely rather be on her side of the table.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Legal Assistance

Posted by

I would highly recommend Bethany and Shechtel & Associates for their superior work ethics. They are very friendly as well as knowledgeable when it came to dealing with my personal case. Bethany had my best interests in mind and helped guide me and advise me throughout the entire process. I cannot speak highly enough about Bethany and the firm she is a part of.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Wonderful experience!

Posted by

I can't begin to express how happy we were with Bethany and the overall experience we had. She was always available to speak with my husband an I regarding our case and was very patient explaining in detail any concerns or questions we had. She was honest yet not alarming as most attorneys we have dealt with in the past. She was clear and concise with what our expectations should be and fought for us till we had the outcome we were hoping for and more...highly recommend!
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Attorney endorsements

(9)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Manuel Machin, Family Attorney on Jun 19, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Bethany makes her clients glad they hired her. Great Attorney.

Rada Machin, Family Attorney on Dec 31, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Bethany is compassionate and caring. I endorse Bethany.

Kathryn Mcdonough, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 3, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Bethany cares about her clients and that is evident in her work.

Wendy Satin, Family Attorney on Jan 2, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Bethany is top-notch. She knows the law, and how to use it for the benefit of her clients. She excels in Court, drafting pleadings and negotiating with opposing counsel. Bethany knows how to stand in Court before a Judge and aggressively represent her clients bests interests. Bethany also understands when the best move is to negotiate, which she does with knowledge and ease.

Audra Peddicord, Child custody Attorney on Jan 30, 2018
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Bethany is a great attorney. She is determined, passionate, and loves a challenge. She is one of the attorneys I will often consult about an issue if I need a second opinion.

Christy Zlatkus, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 26, 2018
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Bethany Shechtel is a consummate professional. I have had the pleasure of having her as my opposing counsel in one of the toughest cases (emotionally) in my career thus far. Ms. Shechtel treated the issues in this case with sensitivity and compassion while zealously advocating for her client…a tough balance to achieve. Ms. Shechtel is focused on solving problems for her clients, not on billing for needless tasks. For these and for many more reasons, I emphatically endorse Ms. Shechtel.

Allen Orenberg, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 24, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Bethany Shechtel is a dedicated and energetic lawyer. She goes the extra mile for her clients, no matter how simple or complex the case/issues may be. She is well respected by the legal community as a competent and smart attorney.

Jaime Seaton, Litigation Attorney on Mar 10, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Bethany Shechtel. She is an experienced family law attorney and advocates zealously for her clients. Bethany's assertive yet compassionate representation of clients in the field of divorce and separation is unparalleled.

Stephen Shechtel, General practice Attorney on Nov 17, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. She is caring, very intelligent, and works and works and works for her clients.