Di Goodman - Annapolis, MD

Di Goodman is an experienced family law attorney with a unique skill set that combines legal expertise with a deep commitment to resolving highly complex and contested divorces and custody disputes. Di began her career as general counsel for an international recycling firm before transitioning into family law. She became a certified family law mediator and eventually started litigating cases that couldn’t be settled, where her mediation skills and legal experience proved invaluable. With a passion for guiding families through turmoil and helping them navigate life’s most difficult transitions, Di has built a reputation for compassionate, yet assertive, legal representation.

Di’s primary strength lies in her ability to mediate complex divorces and custody battles. She finds it extremely rewarding to help families move through challenging times toward a new, more stable situation. "Shepherding a family through turmoil to a new circumstance is extremely rewarding," she says. Di’s approach to family law is centered on addressing her clients’ concerns, aspirations, and goals with honesty, dedication, and preparation. She believes it is crucial to provide clients with a realistic understanding of their case’s outcome while fighting tirelessly on their behalf. Di is clear about one thing: she never promises a particular result but always commits to fighting for her clients, even when the desired outcome seems unlikely, as long as they are fully informed.

In addition to her legal practice, Di is deeply involved in community service and personal development. She teaches meditation and yoga and is especially proud of starting a program in her local jails for detainees awaiting trial or sentencing. This program provides detainees with tools for managing stress and maintaining mental clarity during a difficult time, and Di is incredibly proud of the work she does in this area.

As a member of the Peer Review Committee for the State Bar Counsel, Di regularly adjudicates attorney grievances, which keeps her acutely aware of the ethical obligations attorneys owe to their clients, themselves, and the profession. She holds herself to the highest ethical standards and believes that every case should be approached with integrity and thorough preparation. Di firmly believes in three guiding principles in her practice:

1. The animus of the client is not hers to carry, but she must work with it without taking it on.
2. Her duty to her clients and the law always comes before any relationships with clerks, judges, or opposing counsel, and she will call out improper behavior when necessary.
3. She owes it to her clients, herself, and the bar to litigate with integrity, preparation, and her best self—ensuring that a bad day does not translate into a lack of preparedness.

Di's extensive legal background and dedication to her clients make her a trusted advocate in the realm of family law. She has worked with hundreds of clients over the years, always prioritizing their well-being while striving for the best possible outcomes in challenging cases.