Melissa J. Howell

Caryn Rivett West is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Trusts and Estates. Caryn Rivett, who practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Caryn Rivett is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

C. Arthur "Brother" Rutter III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Brother, who practices law in Norfolk, Virginia, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brother is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. A second-generation lawyer, Brother Rutter made a name fo...

Alexandra Wood is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Alexandra, who practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alexandra is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alison Zizzo is a Shareholder at Midgett Preti Olansen and concentrates her practice in trust and estate litigation, including fiduciary disputes, beneficiary representation, guardian and conservatorships, and elder law. Ms. Zizzo has extensive civil litigation experience and can handle a variety of general litigation matters, including business disputes, collection and defense of debts and contract disputes. In addition, Ms. Zizzo handles complex trust and estate administration matters, assi...

Lee Floyd spent the first part of her career expertly defending some of the country’s largest and most influential corporations including pharmaceutical companies and national automotive manufacturers. Impressively, Lee was the first female partner in the products liability group of one of the nation’s leading law firms and the youngest partner in that firm’s history. In 2019, she was one of only ten lawyers selected nationwide to join the prestigious Products Liability Advi...

Bill O’Mara started his legal career in 2008, moving back to his home town of Chesapeake, VA. He has practiced in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury his entire career. He has gained extensive court room and trial experience, including contested trials before judges and juries across Hampton Roads. In 2014, Bill joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers before becoming a partner in 2017. He dedicates his entire practice to helping injured people. Bill is skilled in handling car, tr...

A Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Family Lawyers, Mr. Garriott represents clients in divorce, property settlement agreements, child custody and pre-marital agreements. He also handles a variety of civil litigation including personal injury, employment, workers' compensation, and contract matters. Mr. Garriott was selected for the 2009 Class of Leaders in the Law by Virginia Lawyers Weekly and holds Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating of A...

Stephanie C. Smith is a Shareholder in the law firm of Midgett Preti Olansen. Her practice areas include estate planning, estate and trust administration, and business matters. Additionally, Ms. Smith serves as a Commissioner of Accounts for Virginia Beach Circuit Court. In her role as Commissioner of Accounts, Ms. Smith supervises fiduciaries and audits accountings and other filings by administrators and executors of estates, trustees of trusts, guardians and conservators for minor children ...

William W. C. Harty is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. William W. C., who practices law in Yorktown, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William W. C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal prac...

Willard J. Moody, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Railroad Law. Willard J., who practices law in Portsmouth, Virginia, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Willard J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.