Richard H. Howard-Smith

Nathan R. Olansen is the Managing Shareholder in the law firm of Midgett Preti Olansen. His practice is focused on estate planning, probate and trust administration, IRS and state and local tax audit and tax collection cases, as well as individual and entity tax planning, asset protection and a variety of related transactional matters such as business succession planning, business entity start-ups and tax planning for divorce. Nathan has extensive experience in drafting and implementing all t...

David B. Kendall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. David B., who practices law in Charlottesville, Virginia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph Young is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joseph, who practices law in Norfolk, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Foster S. B. Friedman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Foster S. B., who practices law in Alexandria, Virginia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Foster S. B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeremy B. Root is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Real Estate Law. Jeremy B., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeremy B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris graduated from Falls Church High School in 1988, Georgetown University in 1992, and William and Mary law School in 1996. He also attended the George Washington University Master’s Program in Forensic Science from 2001-2003. During law school, Chris concentrated in criminal defense by working as an investigator at the D.C. Public Defender Service. He also clerked at the Public Defender’s Office in Bellingham, Washington in the summer of 1995, where he won his first jury trial...

Maria Simon is an award-winning attorney who serves as the firm’s Managing Partner. While Maria’s practice is quite versatile, she specializes in family law, divorce, custody disputes, Collaborative Divorce, business law, and litigation. Frequently appearing in court nationwide on behalf of her clients, Maria has considerable experience in the Federal District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, Bankruptcy Court, and the State courts of Virginia, District of Columbia, and Maryland. She ...

Dana James Carlson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Dana James, who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dana James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alice Ahearn is a Partner at Eris Law Group. She guides family law clients through one of the most difficult times in their lives to emerge optimistic about the future. Alice excels at solving contentious and complex child custody problems, including relocation cases. She is also adept at resolving divorces with complicated financial issues, including business and stock valuations, the division of marital interest in a business, and spousal support. Her clients include professionals, physicia...

Sean P. Kelly has practiced exclusively in the area of family law and divorce for his entire career as a lawyer, which began in 1994. Having "grown up" in the field, Sean has extensive litigation experience and a significant knowledge and understanding of the law. One benefit of his years of litigation experience is that it affords a seasoned trial lawyer like Sean many more opportunities to achieve fair and equitable settlements for his clients. His substantial trial experience, coupled with...