Meet Our DC Real Estate Lawyers & Support Staff

Morris Battino – Partner

Morris has over 30 years of experience practicing real estate law in the District of Columbia. With over 20 published Court of Appeals’ decisions, Morris has helped shape Washington, DC’s current landlord and tenant and real estate laws. He is a tenacious litigator who is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, the United Stated District Court, the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and the United States Supreme Court. Morris has frequently lectured on landlord and tenant and real estate law in Washington, DC, and is a prior chairperson of the Rental Housing Committee of the District of Columbia Bar. Morris can be reached by email at MBattino02@gmail.com.

Aaron Sokolow – Managing Partner

Aaron has litigated landlord and tenant and real estate cases before judges and juries in the District of Columbia Superior Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Appeals sitting en banc, Office of Administrative Hearings, and the Rental Housing Commission. A graduate of Tufts University and American University’s Washington College of Law, Aaron advises clients on a wide array of landlord and tenant and other real estate matters. His advice helps clients balance the costs and benefits of a particular approach to find a resolution that makes the most business sense.  Aaron can be reached by email at Aaron@SokolowLaw.com.

Read Aaron’s reviews on Avvo.com

Peggy Marquardt – Attorney

Peggy is an experienced attorney who has been specializing in Washington, DC real estate and real property litigation since 2008. She focuses her practice on civil litigation, including residential and commercial landlord and tenant matters, contract disputes, and condominium cases. Prior to working at Battino & Sokolow PLLC, Peggy was a named partner of Brand, Marquardt & Callahan, PLLC. Peggy earned her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida. She attended the undergraduate program at the University of Maryland, College Park earning both a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the Robert H. Smith School of Business as well as a Bachelor of Arts in English. Peggy can be reached by email at Peggy@SokolowLaw.com.

Rachel Sullivan – Attorney

Rachel graduated from The College of Wooster and The George Washington University Law School. Thereafter, she completed a two-year clerkship, working in the civil division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the Honorable Jason Park and the Honorable John M. Campbell. There, she handled a variety of issues of civil law, including mortgage foreclosures, landlord and tenant cases, contract disputes, the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, the District of Columbia Human Rights Act, and the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act. Rachel can be reached by email at Rachel@SokolowLaw.com.

James Younger – Paralegal, Director of Operations

James has been with Battino & Sokolow since 2012.  After receiving a bachelor of arts degree in government from the College of William & Mary, James obtained his paralegal certificate from the Paralegal Institute of Washington. James is adept at preparing a range of pleadings, complaints, and documents, and he has expertise in condominium and homeowners’ association foreclosures and collections. James can be reached by email at James@SokolowLaw.com.

Shakira Schuyler – Paralegal

Prior to joining Battino & Sokolow, Shakira served as the Lead Deputy Clerk and Acting Case Processing Supervisor of the DC Superior Court Landlord and Tenant Branch where she processed and helped oversee unit operations, electronic filing, and administration of the entire branch. Shakira now oversees all landlord and tenant operations of the firm to ensure we are acting as efficiently as possible so that our clients obtain the best results. Shakira earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Norfolk State University and a legal assistant certificate from Tidewater Community College.  Shakira can be reached by email at Shakira@SokolowLaw.com.

Tierra D. Smith – Paralegal

Before joining Battino & Sokolow, Tierra worked for over eight years with the United States Marshal Service (USMS) as the DC Superior Court lead eviction Writ of Restitution and civil processes coordinator. Tierra also worked as the lead investigative analyst for the USMS Warrant Squad during her time at the Marshals. Tierra utilizes her knowledge and experience to Battino & Sokolow’s efficiency and productivity. Tierra is energetic, motivated, and a detail-oriented team player with over 20 years of professional experience in analytical and administrative positions. Tierra can be reached by email at Tierra@SokolowLaw.com.