Carlos M. Lastra is a partner in the firm’s Washington metropolitan area (DMV) offices and Co-Chair of the firm's DMV Family Law practice group and a member of its Litigation practice group.  His practice focuses on all areas of family law including alimony, use of forensic evidence, child custody and childcare concerns, child guardian issues, child visitation and guardianship representation.  Mr. Lastra has nearly 30 years of civil and criminal trial experience before judges and juries in both federal and state jurisdictions.  He supports his clients with earnest, well-planned and effective client service.

Prior to joining C&W, Mr. Lastra was a partner and co-chair of the Family Law practice group at a law firm in Bethesda, Maryland.

Mr. Lastra has published numerous articles on a variety of Family Law issues and is a frequent presenter and commentator at events and on radio and television in the DMV.

He is licensed to practice in Maryland and Florida, as well as the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the District of Columbia.

Mr. Lastra is peer review rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell.  He has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America annually since 2021 for Family Law; “Top Divorce Lawyers’ by Washingtonian Magazine in 2019; and "Top Attorneys" for Family/Divorce in Bethesda Magazine in 2013, 2017 and 2019.  He has also been recognized as “Family Law Practitioner of the Year” by the Montgomery County Bar Association, as well being recognized in Who’s Who in America Law.

Mr. Lastra is a member of the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association, and the Maryland State Bar Association.  He provides Pro Bono Community Services for the Bar Association of Montgomery County, Montgomery County Circuit Court, the Montgomery County Commission for Women and the Montgomery County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program.

Mr. Lastra received his B.A. from the University of Miami in 1989 and his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 1992.

Recognitions & Seals