Debora Fajer-Smith, Car Accidents Attorney in Rockville, Maryland
Over 41 years of legal practice · focused on Car Accidents, Personal Injury, and Workers Comp · 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Of CounselatJoseph, Greenwald & Laake, P.A.
Rockville, MD
Practicing car accidents in Rockville since 1985.
- 41+
- Years practicing
- 4.4 ★
- 1 client review
- 3
- Bar admissions
Practices in
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Quick answer
Debora Fajer-Smith is an of counsel based in Rockville, MD. The practice focuses on Car Accidents, Personal Injury, and Workers Comp. Debora has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, P.A.. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- Rockville, MD
- Experience
- over 41 years
- Known for
- Car Accidents · Personal Injury · Workers Comp
- Handles Car Accidents, Personal Injury, and Workers Comp matters from Rockville, MD.
- Over 41 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with BV Distinguished.
About Debora Fajer-Smith: Debora Fajer-Smith is an of counsel based in Rockville, MD. The practice focuses on Car Accidents, Personal Injury, and Workers Comp. Debora has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, P.A.. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Debora Fajer-Smith
Debora concentrates on car accidents, personal injury, and workers comp. Each area below outlines the kind of case Debora handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Car Accidents
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Personal Injury
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Workers Comp
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Car Accidents cases in Rockville, Maryland
Debora takes car accidents matters in Rockville, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Debora agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in Rockville, Maryland
Debora takes personal injury matters in Rockville, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Debora agrees to represent you.
Workers Comp cases in Rockville, Maryland
Debora takes workers comp matters in Rockville, Maryland. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Debora agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Debora Fajer-Smith — Over 41 years of Maryland car accidents experience
Debora Fajer-Smith is an of counsel based in Rockville, MD. The practice focuses on Car Accidents, Personal Injury, and Workers Comp. Debora has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, P.A.. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.
I am dedicated to the overall success of our clients for maximum medical recovery and maximum monetary results, as well as assisting them to return to a successful life after their injuries.
The Chair of the Workers’ Compensation and Insurance Group at Joseph, Greenwald and Laake, Debora Fajer-Smith has over 35 years of experience in representing people injured in auto or workplace accidents, and those suffering occupational injury or death. Debora is a passionate advocate for her clients’ rights and takes pride in being able to put severely injured people back on the path to independence, whether through obtaining a lump sum, medical treatment or lining up vocational training for a new job.
Debora’s experience, creativity and skill have made her both a formidable courtroom opponent and an excellent negotiator who has obtained favorable settlements and awards for thousands of clients over three decades of practicing law.
She has represented multi-generations of families and her clients are very loyal, referring coworkers and friends.
Debora is a plaintiff attorney in Maryland with national recognition, named to the American Bar Association College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. She has served as an appointed public member on the Senate-House Oversight Committee in the Maryland Legislature on Workers’ Compensation and Insurance for many years. She was awarded several litigant and leader in law awards such as Best Lawyers and Bench Mark Top Litigators.
She has traveled as citizen-ambassador to the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America. Debora is fluent in conversational French and in Portuguese, her native language. She believes in giving back to the community she serves. For this, the Daily Record named her to the Top 100 Women of the Year in Maryland for 2007 and again in 2014. She served 9 years as President of the Maryland Sister States Board under the office of the Secretary of State of Maryland. She served on the University System of Maryland Foundation Executive Board as chairman of the committee on directors.
Debora founded her own law firm in 1988, where she served as managing principal for 21 years, until joining Joseph, Greenwald & Laake. Her law career was chronicled in the book The Road to Independence, produced by the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession. She has led a lifetime believing in mentoring children and young lawyers.
Debora believes whether she’s in Maryland practicing law or in Rio de Janeiro working with a school for disadvantaged children, “it’s all about lifting the lives of others so they can prosper.”
In her private time, Debora enjoyed being a private pilot and raising her two sons.
Speeches & Articles
• Co-editor, The Maryland Automobile Accident Desk Book, 2nd ed.
• Co-author, The Road to Independence, American Bar Association, Commission on Women in the Profession
Awards & Honors
• National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, Top 10 Personal Injury Attorneys in Maryland, 2022
• Top 100 Women in Maryland , Daily Record, 2014
• Leadership in the Law, Daily Record, 2014
• Secretary of State Maryland s Ambassador Award
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers 2015 , National Trial Lawyers
• UMBC Alumni Award, 2016 Steering Committee
• Local Litigation Star, Benchmark, The definitive guide to America’s leading litigation lawyers, Legal Media Group, 2013, 2014
• Top 150 Plaintiff Lawyers, Benchmark, Legal Media Group, 2013
• Corporate International Legal Awards Winner, Personal Injury Lawyer, Maryland, USA, 2013
• Strategic Partner, Collective Empowerment Group, Prince George’s County, 2012
• ABA College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, 2011
• Rotarian of the Year, Crofton, Maryland, 2010
• Top 100 Women in Maryland History, The Daily Record Newspaper, 2007
• Chairperson of the Year, Governor's Sub Cabinet of International Affairs, Office of the Secretary of State, Maryland, 2005
Professional Affiliations
• National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys
• Prince George's Bar Association, Workers Compensation Section, chair
• Senate-House Joint Oversight Committee for Workers Compensation and Insurance Benefits, Maryland State Legislature
• Maryland State Bar Association, Judicial Nominating Committee for Prince George’s County
Debora's approach to car accidents cases
I am dedicated to the overall success of our clients for maximum medical recovery and maximum monetary results, as well as assisting them to return to a successful life after their injuries. The Chair of the Workers’ Compensation and Insurance Group at Joseph, Greenwald and Laake, Debora Fajer-Smith has over 35 years of experience in representing people injured in auto or workplace accidents, and…
Clients Debora works with
Debora reviews new inquiries case-by-case for car accidents, personal injury, and workers comp matters in Rockville and the surrounding Maryland area.
Credentials
Debora Fajer-Smith's legal education and bar admissions
University of Maryland School of Law
J.D. · 1984
University of Maryland
B.A. · 1981
Jurisdictions
Debora's state bar admissions
U.S. District Court,
1985 · ACTIVE
District of Columbia
1985 · ACTIVE
Maryland
1985 · ACTIVE
Debora studied at J.D. in University of Maryland School of Law and B.A. in University of Maryland.
Law school and academic background
Debora completed J.D. in University of Maryland School of Law and B.A. in University of Maryland. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Debora runs in Maryland is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Debora Fajer-Smith
Debora has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
BV Distinguished
Legal awards and honors
BV Distinguished.
Locations
Debora Fajer-Smith's office in Rockville
Debora's primary office is at 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 975, Rockville, MD, 20850. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, P.A.
111 Rockville Pike, Suite 975
Rockville, MD 20850
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Debora Fajer-Smith — 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Debora. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing car accidents attorneys in Rockville.
4.4
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Debora Fajer-Smith claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Debora Fajer-Smith — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new car accidents attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Debora usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Debora charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Debora's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Debora will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a car accidents attorney in Rockville, Maryland
A short list to run through before you commit: How many car accidents matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Debora
Debora discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in car accidents practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every car accidents matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Debora confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Debora's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many car accidents practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Debora Fajer-Smith
How much does it cost to hire Debora for a car accidents case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Debora walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Debora offer a free consultation?
Debora charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Debora's office. Some car accidents attorneys offer free consults — check Debora's current terms during booking.
How long do car accidents cases in Maryland typically take?
Simple car accidents matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Debora gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Debora take my case if I'm outside Rockville?
Debora is licensed in Maryland. Matters governed by Maryland law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Debora will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Debora?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Debora will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Debora accepting new car accidents clients right now?
Debora's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Car Accidents attorneys serving Rockville, Baltimore and Annapolis in Maryland
Debora handles car accidents matters throughout Maryland. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified car accidents attorneys in that community.
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