About Anne (Jan) W.

Anne (Jan) W — White practices family law at Pasternak & Fidis, P.C. in Bethesda, Maryland. She has been a member of the Maryland State Bar since 1973. The firm specializes in divorce, custody issues, and collaborative law, serving clients throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Her experience spans several decades, beginning in 1973 and continuing to the present. She holds a J.D. from Stanford University, which she earned in 1972.

Prior to that, she obtained an M.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1969 and a B.A. in Political Science from Duke University in 1967. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for her work in family law, particularly in navigating complex legal and emotional issues. Most of her practice focuses on divorce and custody arrangements, where she employs collaborative law techniques to help families reach amicable solutions. Cases typically involve negotiations over asset division, child support, and parenting plans. She also serves as a mentor for custody evaluators in Montgomery County, Maryland, reflecting her commitment to the community and the legal profession.

Before joining Pasternak & Fidis, she held various legal positions since 1973, gaining a wealth of knowledge in family law. She has been involved in numerous professional organizations, including the North Carolina State Bar and the American Bar Association. Her leadership roles include serving as Past President of the D.C. Academy of Collaborative Professionals and Chair of the D.C. Metro Protocols Committee for Collaborative Divorce — In addition to her legal practice, she volunteers at the D.C. Superior Court Family Court Self-Help Center, assisting individuals navigating the family court system. Her involvement in collaborative law initiatives demonstrates her dedication to alternative dispute resolution methods, aiming to reduce conflict and promote cooperation among parties.

She is also a founding member of the Collaborative Practice Training Institute, which focuses on training professionals in collaborative law practices. Anne (Jan) W. White is recognized for her contributions to family law and her active participation in various legal associations. Her experience and commitment to collaborative practices position her as a respected figure in the field, helping clients achieve fair and equitable resolutions in their family law matters.

Education

Stanford University

J.D. (1972) | Law

1972

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

M.A. | Political Science

1969

Duke University

B.A. (1967) | Political Science

1967

Languages

English (Spoken, Written)

Experience

Lawyer

Pasternak & Fidis, P.C.
1989

Lawyer

U.S. Department Of Commerce, Office Of The Chief Counsel For Import Administration
1977

Lawyer

Hogan & Hartson LLP
1973

Accepted Jurisdictions

Maryland
Virginia
District of Columbia
North Carolina

Court Admissions

Maryland Circuit Court State Trial Court
Virginia Circuit Court State Trial Court
D.C. Superior Court State Trial Court
North Carolina Superior Court State Trial Court

Types of Cases Handled

family law divorce

Legal Services Scope

Negotiation Custody evaluation Collaborative law

Professional Associations

North Carolina State Bar

has membership Current

International Association of Collaborative Professionals

Current

D.C. Academy of Collaborative Professionals

Past President Current

D.C. Metro Protocols Committee for Collaborative Divorce

Chair Current

Maryland Collaborative Professionals Council, Inc., Ethics Committee

Co-Chair Current

Collaborative Dispute Resolution Professionals (Maryland)

Former Board has membership & Chair of Protocols Current

Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia

Former Co-Chair Current

Collaborative Practice Training Institute

Founding has membership Current

American Bar Association (Section of Family Law)

Current

District of Columbia Bar (Section of Family Law)

Current

Maryland State Bar Association (Section of Family Law)

Current

Virginia State Bar (Section of Family Law)

Current

Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland (Section of Family Law)

Current

Bar Association of Fairfax, Virginia (Section of Family Law)

Current

Montgomery County, Maryland Circuit Court Custody Evaluators

Mentor Current

D.C. Superior Court Family Court Self-Help Center

Volunteer Current

Office Locations

Main Office

 7735 Old Georgetown Road Suite 1100 Bethesda MD 20814