After many years of practicing family law, and having seen the emotional and financial damage that litigation can cause, I have chosen to focus my practice on healthier ways of resolving disputes such as Collaborative Law, mediation, negotiation, and settlement advocacy. While I represent individual clients, I also assist couples as a neutral mediator. I believe that by focusing on constructive settlement solutions, separating couples are much more likely to make mutually beneficial decisions while preserving valuable financial resources. Whether through Collaborative Law, mediation, or standard negotiation, I help my client stay focused on future goals rather than upon the pain of the past. Collaborative Law, in particular, affords couples the opportunity to make joint decisions which address the unique needs of their family with the skill and guidance of non-adversarial collaborative attorneys, and other allied professionals. I also represent clients in developing prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements. I am the Founding president of the Maryland Collaborative Practice Council and was the first Co-Chair of the Collaborative Law Section of the Montgomery County Bar Association.
Practice areas
Divorce, Family Law, Negotiation, Settlement Advocacy, Collaborative Law, Collaborative Practice, Mediation
30 years
16 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
DC | Good Standing | 1999 | 02/26/2021 |
VA | Authorized to Practice Law | 1994 | 02/13/2017 |
MD | Active | 1992 | 03/30/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Top Divorce Lawyer | Best Lawyers in America | 2019 |
Top 50 Women and Top 100 in DC and Maryland | Super Lawyers | 2019 |
Top Divorce Lawyer | Best Lawyers in America | 2018 |
Top 50 Women and Top 100 in DC and Maryland | Super Lawyers | 2018 |
Top 50 Women and Top 100 in DC and Maryland | Super Lawyers | 2017 |
Top Divorce Lawyer | Best Lawyers in America | 2017 |
Top 50 Women and Top 100 in DC and Maryland | Super Lawyers | 2016 |
Top Divorce Lawyer | Best Lawyers in America | 2016 |
Top 50 Women and Top 100 in DC and Maryland | Super Lawyers | 2015 |
Top Divorce Attorney | Best Lawyers in America | 2015 |
Washington D.C. Lawyer of the Year: Collaborative Family Law | Best Lawyers in America | 2014 |
Top 100 Lawyers in Maryland | Super Lawyers | 2014 |
Best Lawyer Collaborative Family Law | Best Lawyers in America | 2014 |
Top Lawyer | Washingtonian Magazine | 2013 |
Top 25 Divorce Lawyers | Bethesda Magazine | 2013 |
Top 50 Women Lawyers in MD and DC | Super Lawyers | 2013 |
Top 100 Lawyers in DC and MD | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2013 |
Section Co-Chair of the Year, Collaborative Law Section | Bar Association of Montgomery County | 2013 |
Top Divorce Lawyer | Washingtonian Magazine | 2013 |
Super Lawyers in Maryland | Super Lawyers | 2012 |
Best Lawyer for Collaborative Family Law | Best Lawyers in America | 2012 |
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Maryland | Super Lawyers | 2012 |
Top Divorce Lawyers | Washingtonian Magazine | 2011 |
Top 25 Women Lawyers in Maryland | Super Lawyers | 2011 |
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Washington D.C. | Super Lawyers | 2011 |
Best Lawyer Collaborative Law: Family Law | Best Lawyers in America | 2011 |
Maryland Super Lawyers | Super Lawyers | 2010 |
The Best Lawyers in America (MD) Collaborative Law, Family Law | The Best Lawyers in America | 2010 |
The Best Lawyers in America (DC) Collaborative Law, Family Law | The Best Lawyers in America | 2010 |
Top 25 Women Attorneys in Maryland | Super Lawers | 2010 |
Top Divorce Lawyer Montgomery County, MD | Bethesda Magazine | 2010 |
Top 50 Women in the D.C. Area | Super Lawyers | 2010 |
Top 1% of Attorneys in Washington D.C. Area - Family Law | Washingtonian Magazine | 2009 |
AV Preeminent | Martindale-Hubbell | 2009 |
Top 88 Divorce Lawyers in D.C. area | The Washingtonian Magazine | 2009 |
Top 25 Women Lawyers in Maryland | Super Lawyers | 2009 |
Top 50 Lawyers in Maryland | Super Lawyers | 2009 |
AV Rating | Martindale Hubbell | 2008 |
Recognized for Collaborative Law | The Best Lawyers in America | 2008 |
Maryland Super Lawyers - Collaborative Law | Super Lawyers | 2008 |
Top Divorce Lawyers | Washingtonian Magazine | 2007 |
Maryland Super Lawyers | Super Lawyers - Collaborative Law | 2007 |
Recognized for Collaborative Law | The Best Lawyers in America | 2007 |
Top Divorce Lawyer | Bethesda Magazine | 2004 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Member | Darcy A Shoop, LLC | 2009 - Present |
Principal | STEIN SPERLING BENNETT DE JONG DRISCOLL GREENFEIG PC | 1994 - 2009 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Divorce Round Table of Montgomery County | Member | 2009 - Present |
Maryland Collaborative Practice Council | Founding President, Board | 2006 - Present |
Collaborative Divorce Association | Founding President, Board | 2004 - Present |
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals | Member | 2004 - Present |
District of Columbia Bar | Member | 1999 - Present |
Virginia State Bar | Member | 1994 - Present |
Maryland State Bar Association | Member | 1992 - Present |
Montgomery County Bar Association | Member | N/A |
Collabortive Law Section, Montgomery County Bar Association | Co-chair | 2011 - 2013 |
Tri-State Task Force on Collaborative Practice | Member | 2007 - 2011 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
George Mason University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1992 |
George Mason University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1981 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Collaborative Law Curriculum U of Maryland Law School | Defining Advocacy in the Collaborative Process | 2013 |
2013 Conference | Collaborative Law and Mediation | 2013 |
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals 2010 Forum Washington D.C. | Defining Advocacy in the Collaborative Process | 2010 |
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February 26, 2019
Stuart Skok, Family Attorney on Feb 26, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly endorse Darcy. She is an excellent lawyer, a leader in collaborative divorce and a pleasure to work with . She is a great problem solver in all cases.
Michael Sinay, Family Attorney on Feb 26, 2019
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Darcy fights hard, but fair, for her clients. She is results-oriented and tries to get cases resolved before resorting to costly litigation.
Stuart Skok, Family Attorney on Feb 26, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly endorse Darcy. She is an excellent lawyer, a leader in collaborative divorce and a pleasure to work with . She is a great problem solver in all cases.
Michael Sinay, Family Attorney on Feb 26, 2019
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Darcy fights hard, but fair, for her clients. She is results-oriented and tries to get cases resolved before resorting to costly litigation.
Jessica Markham, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 26, 2019
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Darcy is experienced and knowledgable in family law in general, but she has an excellent reputation for her work in Collaborative Law in particular. She is a pleasure to work with. I endorse her highly.
Sarah Nesbitt, Family Attorney on Jan 4, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Darcy is a leader in collaborative law in Maryland. While always ensuring that her clients are fully protected, she works to resolve cases in a respectful fashion that focuses on what is best for the family.
Stacy Talbott, Family Attorney on Apr 2, 2009
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Darcy Shoop has been my opposing counsel on numerous cases. She is a zealous advocate who cares deeply for her clients. She is a leader in the field of collaborative divorce.