Bulman, Dunie, Burke & Feld, Chtd is one of the oldest law firms in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

In 1938, Joseph D. (“Joe”) Bulman founded his law firm which specialized in personal injury matters.  Shortly thereafter, he hired Sidney M. (“Sid”) Goldstein.  The original office was located in Washington, DC, in the Woodward Building.  The firm quickly established a strong reputation with judges in the Municipal Court and the Court of General Sessions (the predecessor to what today is known as the Superior Court) and with judges of the Circuit Courts of Maryland and the People’s Court (the predecessor to what is today the District Court).

The culture of legal practice in those early years was for law firms to sponsor annual parties attended by local lawyers, clients, judges, and adjusters.  An invitation to the annual party was highly coveted and it was often said that “the sun always shined on a Bulman party”.

Joe and Sidney were joined in 1954 by Arthur S. (“Art”) Feld, in the early 1960s by Maurice R. (“Morrey”) Dunie, and John Burke.   With the addition of Morrey and John, the firm bolstered its litigation practice and added a family law practice and expanded its offices to a location in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Over time, Joe was joined by his son, Lawrence Z. (“Larry”) Bulman, who joined the firm later in the 1960s.  Larry established an active practice in business and real estate matters.  Art was joined by his son, Alan S. Feld, who joined the firm in 1974.  Alan continued to handle personal injury and general civil litigation matters, including real estate, commercial litigation, ad developed an arbitration and mediation practice.

In 1977, Barry Nudelman joined the firm and the firm’s estate and trust practice group was born.

As the original members of the firm retired, the firm was led into its second generation of management by Alan, Morrey, John, Larry, and Barry.

As the firm established a greater presence in the Maryland courts, the firm looked to relocate its Maryland office.  In 1971, the firm moved into the newly-constructed Landow Building in Bethesda.  This continued the firm’s more than 60-year operations based in Montgomery County.

In 1977, the firm moved to a home on Arlington Road in downtown Bethesda, directly opposite from what is now the Bethesda Library.  However, as the firm grew, they had to become more inventive in their use of space.  The kitchen and dining room were converted into offices, as was the walk-in pantry!  The former garage was converted into a library and conference room.  The backyard contained a gazebo, rose garden, and lawn tennis court (which, yes, was the setting for many more firm parties).

With advances in technology through the 1980s and early 1990s, the Arlington Road property was no longer suitable for a law firm.  The home was constructed with plaster walls and hardwood floors which would have required major renovations to accommodate the technology that the firm needed.

In 1997, the firm moved to its present home at 4610 Elm Street in downtown Bethesda.  As skyscrapers have sprung up around the firm and the Bethesda skyline has changed, we have maintained our standalone offices with what may be our most prized possession – off-street parking!

For almost a century, our lawyers have been involved with numerous high profile cases. It was said among local law firms that if you had a case you needed to take to trial, Bulman Dunie was the firm you needed to hire.  The firm handled major real estate deals, including the creation of two well-known subdivisions in Bethesda and the development of the Howard Hughes Medical Center.  Morrey represented a number of plaintiffs in the civil litigation matters involving the Watergate break-in.

In 2006, the firm became associated with Bruce A. Blaylock and The Law Office of Bruce A. Blaylock, increasing and expanding its personal injury practice.

In 2007, Meg Rosan joined the firm as an associate, fresh from a judicial clerkship.  She has practiced exclusively at the firm and now leads the firm’s family law and mediation practices.

In 2013, Dan Shaivitz joined the firm after several years at another Montgomery County law firm and after the retirement of Alan and Larry took over leadership of the firm’s personal injury practice.

In 2018, Jeremy Rachlin joined the firm after a decade-plus of practice at other Montgomery County law firms to continue the firm’s estate and trust practice.  After Barry’s retirement, Jeremy now leads the firm’s estate and trust practice.

Meg, Dan, and Jeremy are proud to be the third generation of shareholders of the firm, dedicated to carry on the distinguished history of the firm.  Our attorneys maintain the highest peer and community ratings for ethical character and quality of representation.  We pride ourselves on our contributions to our local legal community and general community at large.   Equally importantly, Meg, Dan, and Jeremy are proud to continue the firm culture at Bulman Dunie.  While we may no longer throw parties in the firm’s rose garden (or even have a rose garden at the firm), we take our work and client needs very seriously but insist that Bulman Dunie show its compassion while fostering a warm and welcoming place to work.

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How Our Lawyers Help You
Whether you’ve been in a serious accident, are facing a complex divorce, or need a specialized estate plan, trust the attorneys at Bulman Dunie to guide you.
Attentive
Attentive
We focus on practical, cost-effective solutions — all without using confusing legal jargon.
Straightforward
Straightforward
We’ll always help you make informed decisions and understand what every option may mean.
Empathetic
Empathetic
Each client’s background and story is different, so we take the time to listen to your unique goals.
Established
Established
For nearly a century, we’ve earned a reputation as a leader in DC and the surrounding suburban counties.
Reputable
Reputable
The bulk of our referrals come from previous clients and other lawyers who know and trust the quality of our work.
Recognized
Recognized
Our lawyers are regularly selected for inclusion by our peers in Bethesda Magazine, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell.

Bound for Bethesda

As the firm established a greater presence in the Maryland counties surrounding Washington, D.C., the practice decided to relocate to the Old Line State. In 1971, the firm moved to Bethesda, where it currently remains.

For almost a century, our lawyers have been involved with numerous high profile cases.

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Contact Bulman Dunie Today

With a team of seasoned attorneys, we at Bulman Dunie have earned a reputation in the DC metro area for developing smart legal strategies. We put a high focus on our clients’ rights and advocating for their best interests, all while providing practical advice and personal attention.

Reach out to us today and schedule your consultation. We are ready to answer your questions, so that you feel confident moving forward with your case.

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Injury, Divorce, and Estate Plan Attorneys You Can Trust
Injury, Divorce, and Estate Plan Attorneys You Can Trust

If you suffered serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident, are looking to divorce or have a custody-related dispute, or need a trust plan set up for your family, you need quality legal advice.

When you turn to Bulman Dunie, we’ll take the time to speak with you personally about your matter and explain your legal options. This means thoroughly analyzing the facts giving rise to your needs, explaining what to expect and your legal options, and working to achieve desired results. We know that quality results require patience, experience, and attention to detail.

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