About — Pitti Law

Meet José Pitti, Esq.

José Pitti smiling, wearing glasses, a gray suit, and a polka dot tie, sitting on a leather couch.

José Pitti is a Maryland attorney specializing in estate planning and probate legal services, while also providing pro bono or low-cost representation to select public interest clients. He entered private practice in 2026 after over a decade of federal service, and is passionate about his local Maryland community. 🦀

José immigrated to the U.S. from Panamá with his mother when he was four years old, and grew up as an army brat on Ft. Meade. He has strong ties to Maryland, having lived in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, and Montgomery counties.

José attended Lehigh University, where he was President of the Philosophy Club, and George Washington University Law School, where he was the President of the Immigration Law Association.

He lives in Howard County, Maryland with his spouse, two children, and rambunctious foxhound. He can be frequently found on the local hiking trails and patronizing local businesses, such as independent book and board game stores.

Education:

Juris Doctor, 2012
The George Washington University Law School

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, 2008
Lehigh University

Bar Admissions:

Maryland
District of Columbia

Memberships:

Maryland State Bar Association
District of Columbia Bar Association
American Bar Association
Hispanic National Bar Association
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
- Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US)

From Public Service to Serving My Community

A young José Pitti in a gray suit, white shirt, and striped blue tie is seated at a table speaking, with a black chalkboard in the background. He has glasses, a beard, and is gesturing with his hands while speaking.

José Pitti has spent years speaking truth to power and advocating for vulnerable people at some of the highest levels of government. He is now ready to advocate for you.

José brings over a decade of distinguished federal service to his legal practice. He served as a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services asylum officer for several years, adjudicating complex cases and protecting some of the world's most vulnerable populations. José also served on details to the Department of Justice and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He is the recipient of several Director’s Awards for his work in Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations.

José later transitioned into senior leadership roles, becoming the asylum program's first Branch Chief for analytics, innovation, and design. In that capacity, he modernized critical case management and data systems, leading cross-functional teams to ensure continuity of operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This experience taught him the importance of attention to detail, regulatory compliance, and managing complex processes under pressure—skills that directly inform his approach to estate planning, probate administration, and other legal matters.

A young José Pitti with glasses and a beard sitting at an immigration judge's bench, as part of a DOJ training video, with the Department of Justice seal on the wall behind him, and two flags on either side.

José Pitti standing next to a United Nations Trinidad and Tobago sign, holding a bag, in front of a dark tiled wall with two wall-mounted lights and a red flag.

José then served in a senior role at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, where he led dozens of internal investigations into federal civil rights violations by DHS. He was awarded the Secretary's Meritorious Service Silver Medal in 2023 for his work auditing high-profile immigration programs to improve protections for vulnerable populations, including LGBTQIA+ persons and persons with disabilities.

Now in private practice, José applies his extensive expertise in regulatory compliance, his proven ability to navigate complex systems, and his deep commitment to protecting vulnerable interests to serve families and other clients in Howard County and throughout Maryland. He brings the same meticulous attention to detail and ethical foundation that characterized his federal service to the areas of estate planning, probate administration, and probate litigation.

José Pitti standing behind a wooden podium with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security seal, speaking into microphones about civil rights investigations. An American flag is to his left.

José Pitti in a suit and glasses standing at a wooden podium with the United States Senate seal, speaking into a microphone. There is a clock and an American flag behind him in a formal room in a U.S. Senate Building.

I can help.

Estate Planning

As a father, I know what it’s like to worry about taking care of future generations. Gain peace of mind by knowing the people and causes you care about are protected through a clear plan for what happens to your belongings, finances, and health decisions when you become incapacitated or pass away.

Probate/Estate Administration

Allow me to take the legal paperwork, court filings, taxes, and asset distribution off your shoulders when someone passes away, so you can focus on taking care of yourself and your family instead of complex legal details.

Probate Litigation

When there’s conflict over an estate, you need a strong advocate in your corner. I will use my knowledge of probate law to help you protect your interests while always remaining mindful of the time, expense, and stress of litigation.