Melissa Landau Steinman

Mr. Colten was born in New York City and has been a long-time resident of Virginia. After serving as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Fairfax County for two years, Mr. Colten entered private practice in Northern Virginia. He was a founding member and principal of Surovell, Jackson, Colten & Dugan, P.C. and its predecessor and successor firms, prior to forming Colten | Watson | Vincent Law Group P.C. In 1965, Mr. Colten received his B.S. with a major in sociology from American Universi...

Catherine D. “Katie” Bertram started the Bertram Law Group, building on decades of experience as both a medical malpractice attorney and director of risk management at Georgetown University Hospital. In those environments, she learned how doctors and hospitals work, as well as how their attorneys assess claims against them. She draws on this knowledge to advocate for patients and their families. “People want someone competent, caring, and careful. They’ve just gone thr...

Josephine Torrente’s practice focuses on bringing promising new drug and biological therapies through the FDA approval process. With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, Josephine provides essential regulatory insight and strategic perspective into the pursuit of aggressive objectives. Josephine advises biotech and pharmaceutical senior executives and development teams on strategic direction at critical moments in drug development, from preclinical and Phase 1 matters to co...

Michelle D. Gambino is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance and Litigation - Real Estate. Michelle D., who practices law in McLean, Virginia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michelle D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Laura Handman is the co-chair of the firm’s appellate practice and divides her time between the New York and D.C. offices. For thirty years, Laura has been providing pre-publication counseling and litigation services from complaint through trial and appeal to U.S. and foreign broadcasters, film studios, and book, magazine, newspaper and Internet publishers and non-profits. Laura has extensive experience in libel, newsgathering, privacy, right of publicity, reporter’s privilege and...

Carolyn Abbate is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Carolyn, who practices law in Arlington, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carolyn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joel Swearingen is an associate in the firm’s Project Finance and Public Finance practice group, representing issuers, underwriters, and borrowers on a variety of public finance transactions. He also has substantial experience in the field of tax withholding and information reporting, both internationally and domestically. What do you focus on? My practice includes representing clients on tax matters present in connection with public finance transactions. I also advise clients on the in...

Roberta Anderson Sutton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Roberta, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roberta is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lawrence J. McClafferty is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Lawrence J., who practices law in Leesburg, Virginia, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lawrence J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ilona Ely Grenadier Position: Partner. Founding Partner Background: Born, Baltimore, Maryland, May 18, 1940; admitted to Virginia Bar in 1968. Education: Mount Holyoke College (B.A., 1962); George Washington University (J.D., cum laude, 1967). Order of the Coif. Member: Alexandria, Fairfax , Virginia and American (Member, Family Law Section) Bar Associations; Virginia State Bar; Virginia Trial Lawyers Association ; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers ; International Academy of Matrimonial...