Best Lawyers in Virginia, United States for Family Law
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Cities
Mary Huff is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Mary, who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary 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...
Steven L. Raynor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Steve, 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 Steve is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.
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...
Patrick L. Maurer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Patrick L., who practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
David Rust Clarke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. David Rust, who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David Rust is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Elizabeth’s practice has focused exclusively on family law since 2016. She handles matters including divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, equitable distribution, business valuation, step-parent adoption, premarital agreements, protective orders, and enforcement issues. Her cases have included complex issues such as mental health concerns, domestic abuse, alcohol and drug addiction, parental alienation, financial tracing, and unilateral dissipation of assets. Elizabeth belie...
Mr. Moher has practiced law in the Commonwealth for nearly 20 years. He is an experienced trial lawyer who has litigated and/or negotiated resolutions in custody, support, and equitable distribution matters involving issues such as closely-held businesses, international child custody, child sexual abuse, imputation of income, and spousal battery. In addition to his traditional experience, Mr. Moher is also an active practitioner of collaborative law, a process by which parties sign an agreeme...
Melissa A. Dragone is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation. Melissa A., 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 Melissa A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
M. Ella Russell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. M. Ella, who practices law in Leesburg, Virginia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which M. Ella is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Laila Raheen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation. Laila, who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laila is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Shirin Afsous has significant litigation experience, regularly interacting with clients and developing case strategy. She focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, including government contracts (including claims and protests), labor & employment, financial services litigation, and commercial contract disputes across the country in state and federal courts. She also appears regularly in administrative proceedings, including assisting clients involved in governmental investiga...
David Hagan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice, Family Law and Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation. David, who practices law in Alexandria, Virginia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Carly M. Anderson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Carly M., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carly M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.