Gwendolen C. Lesh McLeod - Frederick, MD
Attorney at McLeod, Weschler & Yeager, P.C.
Family Law Lawyers in Frederick, MD
141 W. Patrick St. Frederick, MD 32802
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
37
Years
Experience
Frederick Family Law Lawyer
Updated: 03/02/2026
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Divorce
Attorney Information
Overview
Gwendolen C. Lesh McLeod is a graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was admitted to practice law in Maryland in 1989, in Washington D.C. in 1990, and in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland in 1992. Upon graduating from law school, Gwen practiced for a short period of time on the Eastern Shore in Maryland. In 1990, she became associated with the law firm of Haspel & Meiselman, Chartered. In 1995, she became a partner of that firm. In July, 2002, she and Linda Haspel founded the law firm of Haspel & McLeod, P.C.
Gwen practices primarily in family law, including divorce, custody, support, property and domestic violence issues. She is also an advocate for children. She is frequently appointed to represent children in cases involving contested custody issues.
She has also been trained and is an experienced family law mediator and practices collaborative law.
Gwen's excellence in representing her clients is well known. She has been named as a Top Family Law Attorney in the Washington, D.C. area by Washingtonian Magazine. She was also named as one of the top five percent of family lawyers in the State of Maryland by Super Lawyers Magazine. She has also selected for the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers. She is also rated as Highest AV® Preeminent(TM) Peer and Judiciary Review RatingSM from Martindale-Hubbell®.
Gwen is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association, the Frederick County Bar Association, the Montgomery County Bar Association, the District of Columbia Bar Association, and the Montgomery County Women's Bar Association. Gwen has been invited to speak at local groups and organizations, including the Montgomery County Women's Commission, about issues involving divorce and family law and domestic violence. She has also presented several seminars about family law related issues to various mental health professionals. She was also a member of the Commission on Child Custody Decision-Making Court Processes Committee and served as Chair to the Frederick County Family Law Bar from 2017 through 2020.
Gwen was born in London, England. She is fluent in Norwegian. She grew up locally in Bethesda, Maryland, lives in Frederick County, Maryland and graduated from St. Mary's College of Maryland in 1985.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Recipient, Second Annual Pro Bono Service Award, Montgomery County Bar Association, 1993
- Top Family Law Attorney in the Washington, D.C. area, Washingtonian Magazine
- One of the top five percent of family lawyers in the State of Maryland, Super Lawyers Magazine
- Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
- Highest AV® Preeminent(TM) Peer Review RatingSM from Martindale-Hubbell®
Other Sources of Feedback About Gwendolen C. Lesh McLeod
Included on the 2026 Maryland Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2009 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2008 Maryland Super Lawyers list
- 2007 Washington DC Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Duquesne University School of Law,
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, 1988
J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
-
Duquesne University School of Law,
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, 1988
-
Non Legal Education
-
St. Mary's College of Maryland,
St. Mary's City,
Maryland
B.A.
-
St. Mary's College of Maryland,
St. Mary's City,
Maryland
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Partner
Past Positions
- J. Harrison Phillips III, Associate, 1989 - 1990
- Haspel & Meiselman, Chartered, Associate Attorney (1990 to 1995), Partner (1995)
Languages
-
Norwegian
Representative Cases
-
Hosain v. Malik
- Citation: 671 A.2d 988
- Court: Md.App.
- Year: 1996
- Serial Number: 1996054208
-
Malik v. Malik
- Citation: 638 A.2d 1184
- Court: Md.App.
- Year: 1994
- Serial Number: 1994073410
Bar Admissions
- Maryland, 1989
- District of Columbia, 1990
- U.S. District Court District of Maryland, 1992
Other Affiliations
- American Bar Association, 1989 - Present (Member)
- Maryland State Bar Association, 1989 - Present (Member, Family Law Section)
- District of Columbia Bar Association, 1989 - Present (Member)
- Maryland Trial Lawyers Association, 1989 - Present (Member)
- Montgomery County Bar Association, 1991 - Present (Member)
- National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives, 1991 - Present (Member)
- Frederick County Bar Association
- Maryland State Women’s Bar Association
Reviews
Customer Reviews for Gwendolen C. Lesh McLeod
Highlights
-
0.5 Value
-
Hired Attorney 2023-2025Prospective clients should ask how a litigation strategy impacts net financial outcomes. In my case, rejecting a negotiated buyout when the home was valued at $370k led to an eventual sale at $285k, with substantially lower net proceeds after fees and payoff. Family home: gone. Procedural success does not always equal financial success.
Contact
141 W. Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 32802
Phone: (301) 850-7234
Fax: (301) 424-0569
Email: Send a message
Disclaimer
Your Profile? Update Now
When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.
How do I choose a lawyer?
Consider the following:
- Comfort Level – Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
- Credentials – How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
- Cost – How are the lawyer's fees structured — hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
- City – Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?
Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?
Here are a few to get you started:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- How often do you settle cases out of court?
- What are your fees and costs?
- What are the next steps?
Want to check lawyer discipline?
It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:
- Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
- Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
- Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.