Diane C. Bristow

Diane C. Bristow

Diane C. Bristow

Diane Bristow, a Principal with Neuberger, Quinn, Gielen, Rubin & Gibber, P.A., is a litigator with a proven track record representing clients in landlord-tenant, business, and employment matters. She regularly advocates for commercial and residential landlords overseeing multimillion-dollar portfolios, as well as individual property owners, guiding them through complex commercial and residential landlord-tenant disputes. Recognized for her expertise in landlord-tenant law and her results-driven advocacy, Diane is a sought-after speaker, frequently invited by corporations and professional organizations to share her insights on emerging issues and best practices in the field.

Beyond landlord-tenant cases, Diane represents businesses and individuals navigating a wide range of complex commercial disputes. Her experience spans fraud, breach of contract, fraudulent conveyance, tortious interference with business contracts, noncompete agreement violations, and other sophisticated business litigation in both state and federal courts. Clients value Diane’s ability to craft effective strategies that protect their interests and advance their goals in high-stakes disputes.

In the realm of federal and state employment law, Diane delivers practical, results-oriented counsel to employers facing an array of workplace challenges responding to claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Title VII, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Maryland’s Wage Payment and Collection Law. Over her distinguished career, Diane has achieved favorable outcomes, including settlements and court decisions, defending employers against allegations of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and unemployment law claims, providing guidance that minimizes risk and supports long-term business objectives.

Prior to joining the firm, Diane represented women in high-profile breast implant litigation and defended companies in complex product liability disputes. This breadth of experience enhances her ability to deliver strategic solutions to clients facing challenging legal issues across diverse industries.

Diane’s commitment to her clients has earned her notable recognition for her exceptional advocacy. Her impactful work supporting domestic violence survivors was featured in The Daily Record on April 15, 2013, where the Counseling, Helpline & Aid Network for Abused Women (CHANA) praised her as a “selfless, tenacious and effective advocate,” underscoring her dedication to protecting and empowering those in crisis.

Outside of the firm, Diane is an active member of the Bar Association of Baltimore City, contributing her expertise to the Bench Bar Committee, Historical Committee, Family Law Committee, and Professional Ethics Committee. She was also an active leader within the Women’s Bar Association for the State of Maryland, where she held positions as the immediate past president, president, vice-president secretary, treasurer and board member. Further demonstrating her commitment to legal education and professional engagement, Diane is a fellow of the American Bar Association Foundation, a docent for the Circuit Court for Baltimore City Museum, and an honored alumni fellow of the Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University.

Diane also volunteers in her community as president of the Board of Directors at Forward Visions, Inc., a nonprofit that offers group homes and comprehensive support services to adults with severe disabilities. Since 2004, she has remained dedicated to the organization, previously holding the vice president role. Her ongoing community leadership highlights her strong commitment to improving the welfare and quality of life for vulnerable individuals.

Before becoming a lawyer, Diane was an accomplished speech-language pathologist and assistive technology specialist, delivering lectures across the United States and internationally. She authored peer-reviewed articles and contributed a book chapter on assistive technology, demonstrating her breadth of expertise and dedication to advancing knowledge in her field.

Diane is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia; U.S. District Courts for the Districts of Maryland and California; and state courts in Maryland, the District of Columbia and California. She earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from Southwestern School of Law in Los Angeles, California, where she graduated first in her class. She also holds a M.S. from Purdue University and a B.S., magna cum laude, from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Practice Areas

Publications

  • “Family Medical Leave Guidelines Are Nothing for Employers to Sneeze At,” Baltimore Business Journal, February 11, 2005. 
  • “Barrier for Sea Shifts — Constitutional Amendment Process Should Not Change,” The Daily Record Law Day Supplement, May 1, 2004. 
  • “Changing Medicare’s Procedures for Funding Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices,” Sw. U.L.Rev., Vol. 29, No. 2 (1999-2000).

Speaking Engagements

  • Fundamentals of Landlord Tenant Law. Invited co-presenter for a one-day workshop. Sterling Education Services, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, March 11, 2014.
  • Landlord-Tenant Law. Invited co-presenter for a one-day workshop. Sterling Education Services, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, November 9, 2012.
  • Evictions in Maryland: Residential and Commercial. Invited co-presenter for a one-day workshop. Lorman Education Services, Baltimore, Maryland, February 12, 2012.
  • Evictions: Residential and Commercial. Invited co-presenter for one-day workshop. Lorman Education Services, Timonium, Maryland, February 26, 2008.
  • Plaintiff’s Personal Injury: Practice Tips and Application. Invited co-presenter for one-day workshop. National Business Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, January, 2007.
  • Advanced Personal Injury Procedures in Maryland for the Experienced Litigation Paralegal. Invited co-presenter for one-day workshop. Institute for Paralegal Education, Baltimore, Maryland, November 18, 2004. 
  • Essential Litigation Skills for California Paralegals. Invited co-presenter for one-day workshop. Institute for Paralegal Education, Los Angeles, California, December 13, 2001.
  • The Impact of Recent United States Supreme Court’s Decision on the American with Disabilities Act, Consumer Attorneys of California, 35th Annual Tahoe Seminar, Stateline, Nevada, March 31, 2000. Also presented at Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, Los Angeles, California, March 19, 2000. 

Honors and Awards

  • Fellow of the American Bar Association Foundation (2013)
  • Fellow of the Baltimore City Bar Foundation
  • Recognized by the Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore in the April 15, 2013, issue of The Daily Record
  • Women’s Bar Association, President’s Award (2010 and 2011)
  • Fellow, Darden School of Education, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia (2008)
  • Bar Association of Baltimore City Certificate of Appreciation, Docent of the Museum of Baltimore Legal History

Professional Organizations

  • Women’s Bar Association of Maryland
    • Board of Directors (2009-2017)
    • Immediate Past President (2016-2017)
    • President (2015-2016)
    • President-Elect (2014-2015)
    • Vice-President (2013-2014)
    • Secretary (2012-2013)
    • Treasurer (2011-2012)
    • Judicial Section Committee Co-Chair (2009-2012)
    • Committee Member (2007-2009)
    • Legislative Reception Co-Chair (2012-2015)
    • Historical Committee Chair (2016-2017)
  • Bar Association of Baltimore City
    • President, Courthouse and Law Museum Foundation: President – Current; Vice-President: 2024-2025
    • Baltimore City Bar Foundation
    • Member, Family Law Committee
    • Member, Bench-Bar Committee
    • Member, Ethics Committee Member
    • Historical Committee: Chair, 2020-2021; Member, 2015-Present
    • Docent, James F. Schneider Museum of Baltimore Legal History, Clarence M. Mitchell Jr Courthouse
  • American Bar Association
  • Maryland State Bar Association
  • District of Columbia Bar Association
  • California State Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • Forward Visions, Inc., Board of Directors President (2012-Present) Vice President (2006-2012) Member (2004-2006)
  • Volunteer, Baltimore City Women’s Bar Association Resume Workshops for Law Students (2011-Present)
  • Volunteer, Zeta Center, Maryland State Bar Association Law Day (2013)
  • Judge, Introduction to Pretrial Civil Litigation, University of Maryland (2004-2006)
  • Pro Bono Counsel, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (2004-2010)
  • Pro Bono Counsel Maryland Disability Law Center (2003-2005)
  • Volunteer, Hoover Elementary School Community Outreach Program (1998)
  • Pro Bono Counsel, Los Angeles Aid Society (2000-2002)
  • Judge, Moot Court Competition, Southwestern University School of Law (2001)
  • Volunteer, Moot Interview Program, Southwestern University School of Law (2001)

Professional Background

  • Adjunct Professor for Paralegal and Business Law, Strayer University, White Marsh, Maryland
  • Associate Attorney, Howarth & Smith, Los Angeles, California
  • Extern, Judge Terry J. Hatter, Jr., Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Los Angeles, California
  • Senior Paralegal/Paralegal Supervisor, Howarth & Smith, Los Angeles, California
  • Paralegal, Howarth & Smith, Los Angeles, California
  • Speech-Language Pathologist/Assistive Technology Specialist, Private Practice, Los Angeles, California
  • Rehabilitation Services Administration Coordinator, California State University Northridge, Northridge, California
  • Assistant Professor, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Presentations

  • Fundamentals of Landlord Tenant Law. Invited co-presenter for a one-day workshop. Sterling Education Services, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, March 11, 2014.
  • Landlord-Tenant Law. Invited co-presenter for a one-day workshop. Sterling Education Services, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland, November 9, 2012.
  • Evictions in Maryland: Residential and Commercial. Invited co-presenter for a one-day workshop. Lorman Education Services, Baltimore, Maryland, February 12, 2012.
  • Evictions: Residential and Commercial. Invited co-presenter for one-day workshop. Lorman Education Services, Timonium, Maryland, February 26, 2008.
  • Plaintiff’s Personal Injury: Practice Tips and Application. Invited co-presenter for one-day workshop. National Business Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, January, 2007.
  • Advanced Personal Injury Procedures in Maryland for the Experienced Litigation Paralegal. Invited co-presenter for one-day workshop. Institute for Paralegal Education, Baltimore, Maryland, November 18, 2004. 
  • Essential Litigation Skills for California Paralegals. Invited co-presenter for one-day workshop. Institute for Paralegal Education, Los Angeles, California, December 13, 2001.
  • The Impact of Recent United States Supreme Court’s Decision on the American with Disabilities Act, Consumer Attorneys of California, 35th Annual Tahoe Seminar, Stateline, Nevada, March 31, 2000. Also presented at Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, Los Angeles, California, March 19, 2000.