This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

H and W were married on March 20, 1965. W discontinued her education after her freshman year in college in order to maintain the family home. H continued his formal education and eventually obtained a law degree. In 1971, H started his own law practice. W became his secretary, and as the law practice grew, so did W's responsibilities in the office. Gradually, the focus of the practice shifted to real estate settlements and W's position evolved into that of office manager. H became involved with another woman in 1983. The parties separated thereafter, and W filed for divorce on November 14, 1986. Included in the monetary award was one-half of the value of the law practice. H appealed, and the Court of Special Appeals held that the value of the practice consisted entirely of the reputation of H and was therefore personal to him. As such, the value of the practice was not marital property and could not be subject to distribution as part of the monetary award. W appealed.

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