Barry R. Fierst
Barry is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law. He also holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science, with a major in Government, from the University of Maryland. Barry has been practicing law in Maryland since 1993 and the District of Columbia since 1995. He was named “Washingtonian Best Lawyer” for the years 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2022 by Washingtonian Magazine.
As the executive director of the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes from 1984 through 1993, Barry oversaw the growth of the organization from serving six adults with developmental disabilities to serving almost one hundred adults with developmental and other disabilities. He serves now as a trustee of the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes Endowment. He also serves on the Board of the Ivymount Foundation, a preeminent school for children with developmental disabilities.
Barry concentrates his practice in estate planning, with a focus working with families that have a child with a disability, as well as estate administration, elder law, and guardianships. He provides legal services and counseling unique to the particular needs of the family with a child that has severe disabilities. Barry also serves as trustee for discretionary and special needs trusts. As appropriate, he coordinates and works together with families, social workers, trustees, and guardians regarding trust and guardianship distributions.
Barry is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and served for ten years as Treasurer of the Maryland/DC Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He is a member of the Bar Association of Montgomery County, the Maryland State Bar Association, the District of Columbia Bar, and the American Bar Association. He also serves as counsel for the Friends of the Arava Institute.
Life experiences have added to the perspective that Barry brings to the practice of law. He completed the field placement for his Masters in Social Work with the Regional Office of the Developmental Disabilities Administration of the State of Maryland. Subsequent to receiving his M.S.W., he worked for the Ardmore Developmental Center (now Ardmore Enterprises). Barry also served three years in the Israel Defense Forces and was a founding member of Kibbutz Ketura, in Israel.