Velasco, Juan C.

Carlos M. Lastra is a highly effective trial lawyer whose experience has earned him such recognitions as being named a top "Divorce Attorney" in Washingtonian magazine and in Marquis' Who's Who in American Law. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland, Florida and the District of Columbia, as well the United States Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Courts for the Southern District and Middle District of Florida.

Mr. Lastra joined the firm in 2000 and was named a Partner in 2007. Since joining the firm, he has litigated divorce, alimony, custody, child support, paternity, and property distribution cases; contempt/enforcement actions, modification actions, and domestic violence cases in Montgomery, Frederick, Howard, Prince George's, and Anne Arundel counties as well as the District of Columbia. He has negotiated and tried cases involving high net worth individuals and complex domestic relations issues and also handles Collaborative Family Law cases.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Lastra operated his own practice in Miami, Florida, focusing primarily on criminal defense and personal injury matters. He was previously a Special Assistant Public Defender for the Miami-Dade County Public Defender's Office.

In addition to his legal expertise, he is fluent in Spanish. Raised in Miami, Florida, he received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami in 1989; and in 1992, he earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Miami School of Law. While in law school, he was a Certified Legal Intern, prosecuting felony cases for the Law Offices of Janet Reno, Miami-Dade State's Attorney. Mr. Lastra also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Leonard M. Rivikind.