Sarah Nelson

With over a decade of experience, including ten years at Hook Law Center, P.C., Shannon has developed a significant presence in elder law and special needs planning. Her practice addresses issues related to aging and disability, spanning from basic estate planning to advanced long-term care asset protection strategies. Shannon works with clients on a range of matters, including guardianships, conservatorships, complex estate administration, and comprehensive estate plan development, offering ...

Allison received her Juris Doctor in 2001 from Loyola University School of Law at New Orleans. After law school, Allison returned to Virginia and clerked for an Administrative Law Judge with the Department of Labor in Washington, DC for one year. Thereafter, she worked as an associate at McKenry, Dancingers, Dawson & Lake from 2003 to 2006, as an associate and partner at Kaufman and Canoles from 2006 to 2015, and as a partner at Parks Zeigler from 2015 to 2022. Allison’s has exclusi...

John M. Cooper is one of the founding partners at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers and a veteran of Virginia personal injury law practice. A native of Hampton Roads, Virginia, he was raised in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. After graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1988, John returned home to work as a law clerk for a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division. John has a passion for justice and has been blessed to have a l...

Joseph Young is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joseph practices law in Norfolk, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Joseph Young since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Joseph Young is held by other lawyers.

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...

As a highly effective and sought-after trial advocate and proven litigator, Kelvin Newsome knows from longevity of experience that dispute resolution—whether in or out of court—demands more than just legal knowledge; it requires the instinct to anticipate opposition and the composure to execute under pressure. He brings both of these sought-after qualities to his defense practice. Over the course of his career, Kelvin has resolved serious disputes and seemingly intractable litigat...

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 ...

Alexandra Wood is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Alexandra practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Alexandra Wood since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Alexandra Wood is held by other lawyers.

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...

Georgina Montgomery is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Georgina, 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 Georgina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Ms. Montgomery has been practicing law for over 14 years. Her previous position at an insurance c...