Contact Form

In order to help you more quickly, please fill out the quick form and submit. A representative of the firm will call you promptly.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
77 South Washington Street | Suite 200 | Rockville, Md 20850 316 West Patrick Street | 1st Floor | Frederick, MD 21701
301.424.8841

Dedicated Family Law Attorneys Helping Montgomery and Frederick County Families

Haspel & McLeod, P.C. attorney profiles

Haspel & McLeod, P.C. is committed to assisting families throughout Montgomery, Frederick and Howard counties. Our talented legal team consists of lawyers with a combined 90 years of experience and the persistent determination to resolve your family law issues.

Learn about our knowledgeable legal counsel:

Our staff

An integral part of our law firm, our well-educated, compassionate staff provides our clients with the personal attention and helpful assistance to overcome their difficulties. Read about our  office manager and legal assistants.

Contact dedicated Maryland family legal counsel

Haspel & McLeod, P.C. has offices in Rockville and Frederick, MD, and represents clients throughout Montgomery, Frederick and Howard counties.

Call Haspel & McLeod, P.C. at 301.424.8841 or contact the law firm online to schedule an appointment.


Linda HaspelLinda Haspel

Linda Haspel is a founding partner of Haspel & McLeod, P.C. She has devoted her impressive 36-year career to helping families with their legal issues. Linda is well regarded as a skilled family law practitioner. Because of her substantial knowledge, Linda was called to testify as an expert witness on child support before a U.S. Congressional Committee chaired by Rep. John Dingell (D-MI). Washingtonian Magazine named Linda as one of the top 50 family law attorneys in the Washington, D.C. area. She has taught litigation and family law at the University of Maryland and continues to speak at conferences on the subject.

Linda is a certified mediator who is regularly appointed by the court to mediate divorce cases that are pending in the circuit court for Montgomery County, Maryland. The circuit court also appoints Linda as a facilitator to assist litigants in resolving disputes during the initial stages of their litigation. Linda is trained in collaborative law and often assists families in reaching a settlement through this effective alternative dispute resolution method.

Linda and Gwendolen Lesh McLeod combined their extensive family law experience to found Haspel & McLeod, P.C. in 2002. Linda and Gwen have practiced family law together since 1990.

Bar admissions

  • Pennsylvania, 1975
  • California, 1976
  • Maryland, 1981
  • Maryland Court of Special Appeals
  • Maryland Court of Appeals
  • 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • U.S. District Court for Maryland
  • U.S. District Court for Southern California

Education

  • Dickinson School of Law, 1975
  • Montclair State Teachers College

Notable experience

  • Legal Aid Society of San Diego, California, staff attorney, 1975 to 1979
  • Prince George's County Senior Citizen Law Project of the Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. of Maryland, managing attorney, 1979
  • Montgomery County Office of the Legal Aid Bureau, founder and chief attorney, 1981 to 1987
  • Haspel & Meiselman, Chartered, co-founder and partner, 1987

Professional affiliations and community service

  • Montgomery County Commission for Women
  • Montgomery County Community Action Board
  • University of Maryland, University College, former adjunct instructor of litigation and family law
  • Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (MICPEL), teacher
  • Maryland State Bar Associations Family Law Section Council, three-year term
  • Montgomery County Bar Association
  • Montgomery County Women's Bar Association
  • Maryland State Bar Association
  • Maryland Women's State Bar Association Montgomery County Commission for Women, seminar speaker on family law topics

Awards and recognition

Published cases

  • Carroll v. Housing Opportunities Commission, 306 Md. 515, 510 A.2d 540 (1986)
  • McNaughton v. McNaughton, 74 Md. App. 490, 538 A.2d 1193 (1986)
  • Noffsinger v. Noffsinger, 95 Md. App. 265, 620 A.2d 415, cert. denied 627 A.2d 539 (1993)
  • Malik v. Malik, 99 Md. App. 521 638 A.2d 1184 (1994)
  • Malik v. Hosain, 108 Md. App 284, 671 A.2d 988 (1996)
  • Campitelli v. Johnson, 134 Md. App. 689, 761 A.2d 369 (2000)

Back to top


Gwendolen C. Lesh McLeodGwendolen C. Lesh McLeod

Gwendolen C. Lesh McLeod is a co-founder and partner of Haspel & McLeod, P.C. In addition to her remarkable family law experience, Gwen has substantial experience helping disabled clients obtain benefits from the Social Security Administration.

Gwen is a certified mediator who is regularly appointed by the court to mediate divorce cases that are pending in the circuit court for Frederick and Montgomery counties, Maryland. Gwen is also trained in collaborative law and provides her clients with a more amicable means of resolving family law issues using this effective technique.

Gwen is well known for her child advocacy and is frequently appointed to represent children in contested child custody cases. Washingtonian Magazine named Gwen a Top Family Law Attorney in the Washington, D.C. area and Super Lawyers Magazine named her in the top five percent of family lawyers in the state of Maryland. She has also been selected for the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™.

Born in London, England, Gwen grew up in Bethesda and lives in Frederick County, Maryland.

Bar admissions

  • Maryland, 1989
  • Washington, D.C., 1990
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, 1992

Education

  • Duquesne University School of Law
  • St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Notable experience

  • Haspel & Meiselman, Chartered, associate attorney (1990 to 1995), partner (1995)
  • Haspel & McLeod, P.C., co-founder and partner

Awards and recognition

Professional affiliations and community service

  • Montgomery County Bar Association
  • Montgomery County Women’s Commission, speaker about divorce, family law, domestic violence and Social Security disability law
  • Frederick County Bar Association
  • Maryland State Bar Association
  • Maryland Trial Lawyers Association
  • Maryland State Women’s Bar Association
  • District of Columbia Bar Association

Foreign language fluency

  • Norwegian

Back to top


Karen S. YeagerKaren S. Yeager

Karen S. Yeager became an associate with Haspel & McLeod, P.C. in 2006. Prior to joining the firm, she practiced family law and general litigation. Karen focuses exclusively on family law litigation.

Bar admissions

  • Maryland, 2001

Education

  • Hartwick College, History and Political Science, B.A., 1997
  • Albany Law School of Union University, J.D., 2000
    • Office of the New York State Comptroller, intern
    • U.S. Magistrate Judge Ralph W. Smith, intern

Professional affiliations and community service

  • Montgomery County Bar Association
  • Maryland Bar Association

Back to top


Virginia B. JoehlVirginia B. Joehl

Virginia B. Joehl joined Haspel & McLeod, P.C. as a senior litigation associate in January 2007 and focuses exclusively on contested family law litigation.

A compassionate counselor and zealous advocate, Virginia’s psychology background and training helps her better understand and serve her clients as they transition through changes in their family structures. Virginia is often appointed by the court to represent children in contested custody cases.

Virginia gained valuable experience in trial work as a student attorney in the Montgomery County State's Attorney Office. She also became a mother while earning her law degree. For the six years after earning her J.D., she worked as an associate attorney with a renowned general litigation law firm, after which she began a successful solo practice focusing on family law litigation.

Virginia is a lifelong resident of Montgomery County and an active volunteer in Gaithersburg, where she has resided and raised her family for more than 15 years.

Bar admissions

  • Maryland

Education

  • The University of Maryland at College Park, Psychology, B.A., 1989
    • Clinical work in family counseling and behavior modification
  • University of Baltimore, J.D., 1991

Professional affiliations and community service

  • Montgomery County Bar Association
  • Frederick Bar Association
  • Rockville Commission for Women and volunteers with the Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program, frequent speaker
  • Maryland State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Past Inn of Court member

Back to top


Thomas M. Weschler, Jr.Thomas M. Weschler, Jr.

Thomas M. Weschler, Jr. became an associate attorney at Haspel & McLeod, P.C. in May 2009. Tom was inspired to pursue a career in family law because of the personal experiences of close family members who underwent significant challenges in the family court system. Tom handles child custody, visitation and child support cases with a balance of sensitivity and tenacity.

Prior to joining the firm, Tom practiced at a small firm in Howard County, where he focused on family law and gained valuable courtroom experience through hearings, trials and the mediation process.

With deep roots in Montgomery County, Tom gives back to the community through pro bono work and volunteer activities. He represents clients through the local county pro bono offices, accepts cases through Maryland Volunteer Legal Services (MVLS) and assisted at the MVLS pro se help desk. He also volunteers as a youth ice hockey coach and for a regional animal rescue organization.

Bar admissions

  • Maryland

Education

  • Widener School of Law, J.D.
  • Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD
  • Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Montgomery County

Professional affiliations and community service

  • Montgomery County Bar Association
  • Frederick County Bar Association
  • Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA)
    • Programming Committee
    • Membership Committee
    • Legislative Committee, chair
    • Public Service Committee, chair
    • MSBA Young Lawyers Section (YLS), Membership Committees co-chair
    • MSBA Leadership Academy Fellow for the 2009/2010 term
    • MSBA Solo and Small Firm Section Council
  • American Bar Association (ABA)

Awards and recognition

  • Committee Chairman of the Legislative Section
  • Membership Section of the Maryland State Bar Association Young Lawyers Section
  • MSBA’s 2009 — 2010 Leadership Academy program, graduate

Back to top


Office Manager

Kim Tripp

Kim Tripp has worked with Linda Haspel for 24 years and with Gwen McLeod for 21 years. She is in charge of the daily operations of Haspel & McLeod.  Kim maintains the client billing and is happy to have you contact her to discuss any billing concerns or questions. You can contact Kim via email or telephone.

Back to top


Assistants

Legal Assistants

Emily Ann Buzgierski

Emily Ann Buzgierski is originally from the Baltimore County area. She moved to Montgomery County with her husband in the fall of 2007. She was employed as a receptionist by Haspel & McLeod, P.C. in November of 2007 and became a legal assistant at the law firm in June of 2011, after earning her certificate in paralegal studies from Montgomery County Community College.  Emily is always pleasant and willing to help. You can contact Emily via email or telephone.

Carolyn Carson

  • B.A, Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park

Carolyn has been with Haspel & McLeod since March 2002. As Gwen's long-time legal assistant, she is commonly referred to as "Gwen's right-hand man." She also acts as Karen Yeager’s assistant. Carolyn’s professional, friendly and compassionate attitude reflects the firm’s philosophy of helping clients through difficult life experiences. Please contact Carolyn directly via email or phone to schedule an appointment with Karen or Gwen.

Cosma Spassiani

  • The Catholic University of America, B.A., History, minors in Political Science and Religion
  • Certificate, Paralegal Studies, Westchester Community College

Cosma has been with Haspel & McLeod, P.C. since March 2007 and is the legal assistant for Linda Haspel and Thomas M. Weschler, Jr. Cosma is polite, courteous and efficient and always available to assist clients with any issues they may experience. Do not hesitate to contact him if you have a problem. To schedule an appointment with Linda Haspel or Tom Weschler, please contact Cosma directly via email or phone.

Back to top