Eric Stravitz

After attending George Washington University Law School, Eric worked for both small and large firms focusing on personal injury law, including heavy litigation and trial work. During those years of practice, Eric experienced a wide range of techniques and philosophies regarding the practice of law, and formed strong ideas about the way it should be practiced. Wanting to apply those ideas and develop his own practice, Eric left large firm life to launch a two-lawyer partnership. That partnership amicably ended in June 2014. He then moved his practice to Lanham, Maryland which is conveniently located a few minutes from the DC Beltway (I-495) and I-95.

Eric has tried at least 30 jury trials and 30 bench (judge only) trials in courts from Baltimore County, Maryland to Fairfax County, Virginia, and everywhere in between. He’s litigated hundreds of cases in all of the Federal District (trial level) Courts in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, and in state courts as far north as Cecil County, Maryland, and as far south as Bath County, Virginia. Eric has resolved cases for clients through jury trials, bench trials, arbitrations, mediations, post-lawsuit settlements and pre-lawsuit settlements.

Eric believes that attention to the details of all aspects of his cases result in the best possible outcome for his clients. Having his own firm allows Eric to spend more time with his clients than he could when he worked at other firms. He thinks this leads to more client comfort and better results. The most gratifying part of his job is the consistent positive feedback received from clients, who appreciate Eric’s strengths as a lawyer and the personal support he gives them through the claims process, litigation process and, when necessary, trial process

For five years, Eric taught trial advocacy as an Adjunct Professor at the George Washington University Law School. The process of preparing for class, thinking about trial advocacy issues, discussing those issues with students, evaluating their performances, and answering their questions has made him an even better trial lawyer.

Eric handles cases involving personal injuries, car crashes, trucking crashes, medical malpractice, premises security, premises liability, and civil litigation. In addition, he serves several notable law firms as local counsel in cases filed in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

At various times throughout his life, Eric has been a Boy Scout, Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor (Life Guard & swimming instructor), paper boy, painter, flea market salesman, movie projectionist, and worker shoveling gravel for a town highway department. His exposure to a wide variety of people in different settings has, along with his legal training, made him a better communicator and trial lawyer. In addition to his law practice, Eric is a married father of two girls, and an avid tennis player and reader. He also enjoys cycling and kayaking.

Publications

• Tips and Best Practices for Depositions by Videoconference Technology by Eric N. Stravitz and Lawrence E. Walker, MAJ Trial Reporter (Special Issue 2021).
• The Use of Language for Trial Lawyers and Their Clients, MAJ Trial Reporter (Special Issue 2019).
• The Multi-Jurisdictional Practitioner: Motions Practice – Deadlines In Federal And State Courts – DC, MD & VA, DC Trial (Fall 2018).
• Maryland Boulevard Rule Law Survey, DC Trial, No. 4, 2017.
• Entity Designee Depositions, MAJ Trial Reporter (Spring 2017), Part 1.
• Entity Designee Depositions, MAJ Trial Reporter (Spring 2017), Part 2.
• Preparation for a Defense Medical Exam (DME), MAJ Trial Reporter (Spring 2017).
• The Multi-Jurisdictional Practitioner Looks At Punitive Damages Regarding Drunk Drivers And Dram Shop Law, DC TRIAL, VOL. XIV, NO. 4 (WINTER 2015).
• Case Note: Ayala v. Lee (Implications of Immigration Status on Personal Injury Claims), MAJ Trial Reporter (Summer 2014).
• Quick Tips, Exhausting Deponent’s Knowledge, DC Trial, Vol. XII, No. 4 (Winter 2014).
• Case Note: Davis v. Martinez, MAJ Trial Reporter (Fall 2013).
• Quick Tips, Issues Concerning Social Media and Electronic Communications, DC Trial, Vol. XIII, No. 3 (Fall 2013).
• Quick Tips, Preparing Clients for Tricky Deposition Questions, DC Trial, Vol. XIII, No. 2 (Summer 2013).
• Quick Tips, DC Trial, Requesting Images in Litigation, Volume XII, No. 3 (Fall 2012).
• Depositions In Automobile Negligence Cases, MAJ Trial Reporter (Winter 2011).
• Book Review Of Reptile: The 2009 Manual Of The Plaintiff’s Revolution By David Ball And Don Keenan. MAJ Trial Reporter (Spring 2010).
• The Multi-Jurisdictional Practitioner…Looks at Depositions in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. DC Trial, Volume IX, No. 4 (Fall 2009).
• Book Review of Anatomy of a Trial: A Primer For Young Lawyers By Paul Mark Sandler, Esq. MAJ Trial Reporter (Summer 2009).
• How to Deal With Your Expert Witnesses Effectively. MAJ Trial Reporter (Summer 2009).
• The Multi-Jurisdictional Practitioner … Explores a Few Trial and Post-Trial Related Issues in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. DC Trial, Volume IX, No. 2 (Spring 2009).

Reported Case

• Steamfitters Local Union No. 602 v. Erie Insurance Exchange, et al., Maryland Court of Appeals No. 40, September Term, 2019, Opinion by Booth, J.

Other Professional Activities

George Washington University School of Law

Adjunct Professor, Trial Advocacy, 2008-2012.

Speaking Engagements

• Co-taught “Physical and Mental Examinations Under Rule 35” on June 18, 2020 for Strafford Webinars.
• One of two presenters at “Frequent Fliers: How to Deal with Defense Doctors,” a dinner program for the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., 2020.
• Trial lawyer participant in “Mock Trial,” the Prince George’s County Bar Association’s 2019 Tort Law Seminar.
• Gave a presentation on Proper Objections at the Prince George’s County Bar Association’s Tort Law Seminar “Deposition Practice From A-Z,” 2017.
• Presented tips for avoiding and dealing with bike crashes, and insurance coverage, to members of Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (“BikeAAA”), 2016.
• Presented Seminar on Expert Witnesses to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office’s Trial Practice Work Group, 2011.
• Member of Case Evaluation Panel at Maryland Association for Justice Case Evaluation Clinic, 2011.
• Moderator for Association of Trial Lawyers of America Continuing Legal Education course: “Medical Glue: The Use of Cyanoacrylates as Embolic Devices,” 2004.

Mock Trial Volunteering

• Mock Trial Judge for competing Prince George’s County High School Mock Trial teams through Prince George’s County Bar Association, 2018 and 2019
• Mock Trial Judge, AAJ Law Student Competition, 2007 and 2008
• Mock Trial Coach, Baltimore City College High School, 1996-1997

Honors/Awards

• Selected a SuperLawyer (DC) for 2012, 2013 and 2014 and Selected a SuperLawyer (DC & MD) for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 by peers after a rigorous review and evaluation process (only top 5% in a practice area are chosen).
• Rated “AV” (the highest possible for legal ability and ethics) from Martindale-Hubbell, a top lawyer rating service.
• Rated “10.0 — Superb” (the highest possible) from Avvo, a service that rates lawyers and doctors.
• The George Washington University School of Law, “Award for Dedication in Teaching.”