Gary Altman is the Founder and Principal Attorney of Altman & Associates, a premier estate planning law firm serving the Washington metropolitan area, Maryland, and DC since 1980. With over four decades of experience, Gary has dedicated his career to helping families protect their legacies through thoughtful, expert legal guidance.
As a nationally recognized authority on legacy, business planning, and fiduciary standard of care, Gary is frequently sought for his "outstanding experience and trustworthiness." His commitment to client needs has earned him consistent recognition as one of the "Best Estate Planners" by Washingtonian and Bethesda magazines. He is also a multi-year recipient of Worth magazine's "Top 100 Attorney" honor and a Super Lawyer in both Maryland and Washington, D.C. Gary is licensed in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC, and New York.
A prolific writer and analyst, Gary’s knowledge has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Through his long-running blog, “Altman Speaks,” he breaks down complex legal topics into actionable advice for his clients and the community.
Gary’s practice is focused exclusively on estate planning and litigation support, including:
- Generational Wealth Transfer: Counseling high-net-worth families on complex transitions.
- Contested Estates & Trusts: Resolving sensitive disputes and probate matters.
- Fiduciary Representation: Representing corporate fiduciaries and businesses in trust controversies.
- Expert Witness Services: Serving as an authoritative expert witness in complex trust, probate, and fiduciary duty disputes.
Learn more about Gary’s Expert Witness Services
When he isn't in the office, Gary is likely outdoors. He resides in Potomac, Maryland, with his wife Elizabeth and their three Labrador retrievers. He is a passionate reader and history buff, constantly working on restoring a pre-Civil War historic home. A true wine aficionado and BBQ enthusiast, Gary enjoys hosting friends and colleagues for homemade brick-oven pizza.
