Best Lawyers in Virginia, United States for Family Law
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Benton S. Duffett III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Benton S. practices law in Reston, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Benton S. Duffett III since 2020. 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 Benton S. Duffett III is held by other lawyers.
Hope Rosen's practice has consistently centered on child and family law issues. After receiving her law degree, Ms. Rosen worked as a staff attorney for the American Prosecutors Research Institute, focusing on issues of juvenile delinquency and child abuse. Ms. Rosen left the American Prosecutors Research Institute when she was appointed Special Counsel for the Division of Child Support Enforcement by the Attorney General of Virginia. After building her expertise in child support law, Ms. Ros...
Jessica L. Leischner is partner with Wade, Grimes, Friedman, Meinken & Leischner, PLLC. As an accomplished family law attorney and litigator serving Northern Virginia, Ms. Leischner represents clients in Fairfax County, Alexandria City, Arlington County, Loudoun County, Stafford County, and Prince William County. Ms. Leischner’s practice is exclusively in the area of family law, including divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, equitable distribution, set...
Catherine “Kate” Reese focuses her practice on the full spectrum of family law matters in the Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland regions. She has extensive trial experience in contested divorces, child custody and visitation matters, equitable distribution of assets, child and spousal support, and the negotiation and preparation of prenuptial and marital agreements. Ms. Reese is known to be an aggressive and resourceful litigator when representing clients’ bes...
With a distinctive background and a rare competitive fire, David Roop has for more than a decade been one of Virginia's top family law attorneys. According to his peers, Roop is both a sophisticated thinker and a scrappy lawyer, a unique and useful mix for his contentious profession. David has a deeply strategic orientation along with a cheerful yet hard-driving disposition. David is a Baltimore native and graduate of Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Indiana (BA, cum laude, 1985) and the Un...
Sandra L. Havrilak is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Sandra L. practices law in Fairfax, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Sandra L. Havrilak since 2015. 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 Sandra L. Havrilak is held by other lawyers.
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...
Debra Powers is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Debra practices law in Fairfax, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Debra Powers since 2022. 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 Debra Powers is held by other lawyers.
Cynthia Chaing is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Cynthia practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Cynthia Chaing 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 Cynthia Chaing is held by other lawyers.
Carrie received her Bachelor of Arts (magna cum laude) in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University in 2003, and earned her Juris Doctor from the George Mason University School of Law in 2007. She is admitted to practice law in all courts throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since graduating law school, Carrie has been in private practice representing clients exclusively with their family law issues. Carrie handles all aspects of family law, from the routine to the complex. She...
My legal practice is dedicated to helping clients resolve divorce, property, support, and custody issues, and to move forward in a positive direction. My team and I guide our clients through the legal, emotional, and financial aspects of the divorce process as efficiently and effectively as possible. We have the experience and knowledge to help you navigate the challenges associated with marital and child related conflicts. I enjoy working on cases that involve complex financial issues. I hav...
My interest in a legal career began with my internship with Cooper Ginsberg Gray when I was home from James Madison University for summer and winter breaks. After college, I enrolled in law school at Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law where I had a focus in criminal law and enjoyed participating in moot court competitions. My internship with a Georgia county District Attorney’s office gave me the opportunity to be in court often and litigate my first jury trial. My profess...
Katherine D. Smith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Katherine D. practices law in Reston, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Katherine D. Smith since 2026. 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 Katherine D. Smith is held by other lawyers.
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...
Heather S. Miller is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Heather S. practices law in Leesburg, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Heather S. Miller since 2026. 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 Heather S. Miller is held by other lawyers.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
