Portrait of Cheryl Hepfer

Cheryl L. Hepfer

Principal

chepfer@offitkurman.com
Bethesda, MD – 240.507.1752
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Cheryl Hepfer is a highly-regarded attorney who has practiced family law for more than 40 years.  She has been rated by her peers and is listed in Best Lawyers in America and as a top lawyer in the Washingtonian, Bethesda Magazine, and Super Lawyers.  She is past president of both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

Her practice consists primarily of domestic litigation involving significant assets and business interests.  She has a wealth of experience in complex cases involving significant assets and property distribution, alimony, child custody and access.   She has significant experience representing owners of businesses and their spouses, and those with significant assets, and works with business valuation experts and forensic accountants to maximize the benefits to her clients.

Although Cheryl frequently appears before trial and appellate courts, she is often able to resolve cases through negotiation, settling most of her cases out of court because she explores settlement options early, hoping to limit client costs and enhance the opportunity for an amicable resolution.  Her decades of experience as a trial lawyer provide her with the ability to evaluate her cases, and to determine when settlement is or is not in the client's best interest.  In the event that settlement is not the best option, her trial skills allow her to proceed to trial when that is in the client's best interest.

As a mentor to other family lawyers, Cheryl teaches at the Institute of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers every year, and provides guidance to local family lawyers who aspire to become fellows of the AAML. Cheryl is certified by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers as a Family Law Arbitrator.

Additional Practice Areas: Divorce, Custody and Visitation, Collaborative Law

Cheryl is a frequent lecturer on matters of family law, including issues of the valuation and division of marital assets, custody, access and general divorce related topics, such as divorce litigation. She also has been quoted by several national and regional media outlets such as CNN, ABC's Nightline, The New York Times, WBAL Radio and National Public Radio. Some of her features and quotes can be found in the links below.

    Education

    • American University Washington College of Law (J.D.)
    • Carnegie Mellon University (B.S.)

    State Bar Admissions

    • Maryland
    • District of Columbia

    Court Admissions

    • Supreme Court of the United States
    • United States District Court for the District of Columbia
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

    Professional Affiliations

    • Bar Association of Montgomery County
    • Maryland State Bar Association
    • Montgomery County Chapter of the Maryland Women's Bar Association
    • Maryland Women's Bar Association

    Recognitions

    In September 2012, Cheryl was sworn in as the President of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), which is comprised of 700 of the most highly regarded family law lawyers throughout the world. She is also Past-President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), which is comprised of 1700 accomplished family law attorneys in the United States who specialize in all issues related to divorce and family law. Cheryl is the only Maryland Diplomate in the American College of Family Trial Attorneys, which is comprised of the top 100 family law trial attorneys in the United States.

    Cheryl has received numerous honors, awards and recognition by publications, surveys and associations including:

    • 2025 Top Attorney for Family/Divorce, Bethesda Magazine 
    • Doyle's Guide Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyer – Washington D.C., (2025 - 2026)
    • Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers, 2025
    • Top 50 Women Attorneys in Maryland, Baltimore Magazine, 2024
    • Washingtonian Top Lawyer, Washingtonian Magazine, 2022 - 2025
    • Maryland Super Lawyers, Cover Story, January 2020
    • Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent® Top Rated Lawyers, 2019
    • Top Attorneys, Family Law, Bethesda Magazine (recognition honors the region’s most respected legal practitioners, as chosen by their peers), 2019 - 2023
    • Named The Best Lawyers in America® for Closely Held Companies and Family, Business Law, Family Law, 2003-2027
    • Top Lawyer List, Washingtonian Magazine, Divorce & Family Law, 2018
    • Family Law Practitioner of the Year of the Family Law Section, Montgomery County Bar Association, 2015-2016
    • Selected to Maryland Super Lawyers® for Family Law, 2007-present
      • Top 10 Maryland Super Lawyers List, 2017
      • Top 100 Maryland Super Lawyers List, 2012-2025
      • Top 50 Women Maryland Super Lawyers, List, 2011-2023, 2026, 2027
      • Top 25 Women Maryland Super Lawyers List, 2007-2011
    • Selected to Washington D.C. Super Lawyers® for Family Law, 2007-2019
      • Top 100 Washington D.C. Super Lawyers List, 2008-2019
      • Top 50 Women Washington D.C. Super Lawyers List, 2008-2019
    • Best Divorce Lawyers, Washingtonian Magazine, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011-2021
    • Top Divorce Lawyers, Bethesda Magazine, 2010 and 2013-2017
    • Top 25 Women Attorneys in Maryland, Baltimore Magazine, 2011-2012
    • Top 50 Attorneys in Maryland, Baltimore Magazine, 2011-2017

Services

  • Biography
  • Publications & News
  • Blog Posts
  • Featured Works

Firm Highlights

  • Events
    MACFO's Inside Successful CEO & CFO Partnerships
    Please join us on September 18 for an event that’s sure to be a home run! ***We will lead off by interviewing our Spotlight Speaker Series guest, Baltimore Orioles CFO, Darline Llamas Llopis.*** After, we will ask ourselves, what separates great companies from good ones? We believe that more often than not, it is the strength of the partnership between the CEO and CFO that matters, so we are bringing you three CEO/CFO leadership teams to learn from. The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore – Andrew Cushnir and Sam Klein Canusa Paper & Packaging – Mike Walter and Vince Salamone EMR – Caroline Kauffman-Kirschnick and Lisa Loeffler Join us for an exclusive executive briefing – three tandem presentations followed by a panel discussion - featuring CEOs and CFOs from different but leading organizations as they share candid insights into building trust, navigating difficult decisions, driving strategic growth, and leading through today's business challenges. You'll hear firsthand how these executive teams navigate conflict, align on priorities, and build high-performing organizations. Whether you're a CFO, controller, finance executive, or an aspiring business leader, you'll leave with practical ideas and fresh perspectives you can apply immediately. Meet Our Speakers: Darline Llamas Llopis • Orioles  Chief Financial Officer Darline Llamas Llopis is in her second season with the Orioles as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Prior to joining the Orioles, Llamas Llopis spent four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, and the F1 Miami Grand Prix as Vice President of Finance and Retail. In this capacity, she managed the finance, accounting, payroll, account payables, procurement and merchandise operations for the team and race. She also previously served for four years as the Director of Finance and Controller at the Los Angeles Rams. Llamas Llopis started her career in public accounting with Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers as a member of the Commercial Real Estate practice.  Llamas Llopis completed her MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Management and received her Master of Accountancy from the University of Southern California (USC) where she also graduated cum laude with an undergraduate degree in business. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and is an active CPA. She resides in Baltimore with her husband, Devin, and their son, Santiago. Andrew Cushnir • The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore   President & Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cushnir is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Associated, having started in the role in May 2024. He is the eighth person to serve in this role since The Associated’s founding over 100 years ago. Andrew brings a wealth of experience and a profound dedication to strengthening and enriching the Jewish community. His journey within the Jewish Federation system began as a passionate lay leader and volunteer before he transitioned into serving as a professional. He worked for the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles for twenty years, including in the roles of Chief Planning and Program Officer and Chief Development Officer. During this time, Andrew played a crucial role in reshaping the allocation process and fostering a culture of collaboration and partnership and he also led all annual, project, and emergency fundraising, as well as planned giving efforts. As a member of the Federation’s executive team, he also addressed complex community and organizational issues. Andrew and his wife Sharon Spira-Cushnir, a seasoned nonprofit human services executive, are the proud parents of two children in their early 20s. Sam Klein • The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore  Chief Financial Officer Sam Klein is a seasoned nonprofit finance executive with nearly two decades of experience leading financial strategy, operations, budgeting, and organizational transformation for mission-driven institutions. As Chief Financial Officer of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, he oversees the organization's financial operations, investment stewardship, budgeting processes, risk management, and long-term financial planning, helping advance the Federation's mission of strengthening and supporting Jewish life in Baltimore, Israel, and around the world. Throughout his career, Sam has been recognized for his ability to align financial stewardship with organizational mission, drive process improvements, implement technology solutions, and build high-performing teams. His expertise includes nonprofit finance, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting, investment oversight, financial reporting, compliance, operational excellence, and organizational growth. Sam earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing from Syracuse University. Mike Walter • Canusa's Paper & Packaging Chief Executive Officer As Chief Executive Officer of Canusa Paper & Packaging (CPP), Mike Walter leads one of the world's leading independent international brokerages of containerboard and packaging papers. Mike recently celebrated his 20th anniversary with Canusa and has overseen a doubling of the business in the past five years. Mike’s first role at Canusa was an intern before moving into a risk management role. Progressive promotions over the years led Mike to serve as Canusa's Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, as well as General Counsel for its affiliate, Canusa Hershman before becoming the CPP CEO on January 1st, 2025. Mike graduated with a B.S. in Commerce & Engineering from Drexel University before earning his J.D. at the University of Baltimore’s School of Law. Vince Salamone • Canusa's Paper & Packaging Chief Financial Officer Vince Salamone serves as Chief Financial Officer of Canusa Paper & Packaging, overseeing the company's global financial strategy and overall operations, risk management, and other shared services. Since joining Canusa in 2018, Vince has advanced from Corporate Controller to CFO. Prior to Canusa, Vince held senior accounting and financial reporting roles at modular space leader Algeco Scotsman and supply chain real estate operator Realterm, bringing extensive expertise in finance and corporate accounting. He began his career with Deloitte, providing assurance services to clients in aerospace and defense, software, and manufacturing throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Vince attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, earning his B.S. in Accounting in 2012 and his CPA license in 2014. Caroline Kauffman-Kirschnick • The Electric Motor Repair Company President Caroline Kauffman is President of EMR, where she leads company strategy, operations, business development, and culture. Having grown up in the family business and worked in nearly every area of the organization—from accounts receivable and human resources to operations and branch leadership—she brings a unique, firsthand understanding of what drives business success. Since becoming President in 2018, Caroline has championed employee engagement, teamwork, and innovative problem-solving while helping guide EMR's continued growth. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from York College of Pennsylvania and is active in several industry and family business organizations. Lisa Loeffler • The Electric Motor Repair Company Chief Financial Officer Lisa Loeffler is a strategic Chief Financial Officer with more than 25 years of executive leadership experience driving growth, financial transformation, and operational excellence across private equity-backed, privately held, and international organizations. She has led finance functions for companies with revenues from $40 million to $600 million, specializing in M&A, FP&A, ERP implementations, financial strategy, and organizational transformation. Known for building high-performing teams and partnering with CEOs and boards, Lisa delivers scalable solutions that strengthen financial performance, improve operational efficiency, and position organizations for sustainable growth and successful transactions. Thank You to Our Sponsors
  • Publications & News
    Offit Kurman Atlanta Office Recognized as Legal Food Frenzy Rookie of the Year
    Offit Kurman Atlanta Office Recognized as Legal Food Frenzy Rookie of the Year
  • Blog Posts
    Can AI Buy a Company? What Buyers Need to Know About AI’s Role and Limitations in M&A Transactions
    Can AI Buy a Company? What Buyers Need to Know About AI’s Role and Limitations in M&A Transactions
  • Publications & News
    Offit Kurman Announces Addition of Four Attorneys
    Offit Kurman Announces Addition of Four Attorneys
  • Events
    The NIL Educational Workshop
    The NIL Educational Workshop
  • Publications & News
    Offit Kurman’s Martin Garbus Following Successful Run of The People v. Lenny Bruce
    Offit Kurman’s Martin Garbus Following Successful Run of The People v. Lenny Bruce
  • Podcasts
    How to Exercise Effective Expense Control
    In this episode of OK at Work, attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger of Offit Kurman discuss why employers need clear expense reimbursement policies and procedures for employee purchases and travel paid with company cards or personal funds. The major points they make is employers must communicate guidelines on what qualifies as reimbursable, reduce “gray areas” to avoid confusion and disputes, and build safeguards such as requiring management approval over a certain dollar amount. There are common challenges in administering these policies day to day, including inconsistent approvals that can create precedents and confusion, and recommend involving multiple departments—such as finance, marketing, and department heads—when creating the policy to address practical questions and reduce risk from employees making decisions in the field.
  • Publications & News
    Offit Kurman Attorney Recognized on 2027 North Carolina Super Lawyers® List
    Offit Kurman Attorney Recognized on 2027 North Carolina Super Lawyers® List
  • Podcasts
    Maximizing Cash Flow and Collections
    Attorneys Sarah Sawyer and Russell Burger of Offit Kurman discuss how businesses can improve cash flow by staying on top of accounts receivable and treating collections first as a business process. They stress proactive client selection, credit reviews, AR management, and strong contracts with clear payment terms, remedies, fee provisions, and jurisdiction clauses. Sarah and Russell recommend establishing a clear internal process to identify overdue accounts and decide when to send demand letters or pursue litigation. For industries with frequent slow-pay issues, they suggest creating a repeatable, scalable collections “blueprint” and exploring AI to increase efficiency.
  • Podcasts
    Alpha Fly: Redefining Aesthetic Appreciation
    Offit Kurman is pleased to share the latest episode of The Legal Canvas, the estate law podcast for creative minds hosted by trust and estates attorney Caryn Keppler. This episode welcomes Alex Lee and Damian Williams, co-founders of Alphafly, an aesthetic think tank built around a system for evaluating art, culture, and beauty known as the Alpha Fly Meter. Reflecting on the philosophy behind the work, Alex Lee described Alphafly's approach: “It was never intended to be prescriptive. Which is why it’s not this is fly, but is this fly. So it’s an opportunity for discussion.” Over the course of the conversation, Lee and Williams walk through the five keys behind Alphafly's aesthetic compass — taste, creativity, detail, nuance, and self-awareness — and share stories from their work with institutions including MoMA PS1, the Guggenheim, the Whitney, and the Hirshhorn, as well as their ongoing collaboration with the Bobbi Anspach Studio Foundation. The conversation also explores the duo's mission to democratize access to fine art spaces for audiences who have historically felt excluded from them. The episode reflects the broader focus of The Legal Canvas, which each month explores the intersection of estate planning, taxes, and the arts for creators, collectors, and the institutions that support them.