Best Lawyers in Virginia, United States for Family Law
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Sean P. Schmergel has been consistently recognized as one the DMVs top divorce and family law attorneys, including by Washingtonian Magazine, Arlington Magazine, Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers. He began practicing divorce and family law over 22 years ago and has continued to hone his legal practice before the local courts, developing a reputation as a zealous and thoughtful family law advocate. A resident of Northern Virginia for over 36 years, Mr. Schmergel holds a genuine concern for the le...
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 ...
Sandra L. Havrilak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Sandra L., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sandra L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Maureen E. Danker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Maureen E., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Maureen E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
When you or someone you know needs assistance for family law matters, I can offer compassionate and skilled legal representation. I am committed to helping all of my clients understand the legal aspects of their specific situations to ensure the best resolution of each individual case.My practice is devoted entirely to family law matters including: divorce, property division, support, custody and visitation matters, and protective order hearings and subsequent appeals. I have also expanded my...
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...
Thomas M. Cusick focuses his practice on complex family law negotiation and litigation. His pragmatic approach provides effective and efficient solutions for his clients. Tom believes in exploring all possibilities of resolving a matter outside of the courtroom. He is a strong proponent of negotiation and mediation. If litigation is unavoidable, Tom has significant first chair trial experience handling a variety of family law matters. Tom’s practice encompasses all areas of family law i...
Carolyn Grimes is a partner in the firm, practicing in all areas of family law including divorce, spousal support, child custody, child support, equitable distribution, retirement issues, and prenuptial agreements, among other areas. She practices in all of the Circuit and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts in Northern Virginia and has argued before the Court of Appeals. She has lectured on family law topics ranging from custody to retirement issues, including military, federal, civilian ...
Amy E. Totten approaches every case by carefully considering all perspectives involved. As a former prosecutor, she understands the importance of thorough preparation for trial and thoughtful analysis, particularly when clients are facing significant, life-changing circumstances. Her ability to anticipate opposing arguments allows her to develop practical strategies tailored to each client’s situation. Over more than two decades in legal practice, Amy has handled thousands of matters ra...
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.
Carole A. Rubin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Carole A., who practices law in Reston, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carole A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Darlene S. Lesser is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Darlene S., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Darlene S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Roberta K. Henault is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Roberta K., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roberta K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Colleen M. Haddow has been practicing exclusively in the area of family law since 2006. Ms. Haddow focuses her practice on all aspects of family law, including divorce, custody, spousal support, mediation and property settlement agreements. Ms. Haddow regularly appears throughout courts in Northern Virginia representing the interests of her clients. She takes a practical and economical approach to her cases and strives to meet the individual needs of each client. Ms. Haddow thoroughly enjoys ...
Rebecca Geller is an award-winning attorney, a philanthropist, a trailblazer, and a passionate advocate for equality and human rights. Rebecca is also a devoted wife, mom to three young kids + a dog, and community leader. While working as a corporate lawyer for an AmLaw 100 firm, Rebecca witnessed brilliant women fleeing the profession because big law firm partners showed disregard for attorneys’ lives outside the firm. As the mother of a baby and toddler at the time, Rebecca knew there...
April DeLuca is a divorce and family law attorney serving clients throughout Northern Virginia. With more than a decade of experience, she represents clients in matters involving divorce , child custody and support , adoption, and high-net-worth cases , including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements . April is committed to guiding her clients through what is often one of the most difficult times in their lives. Her practice spans negotiation , mediation and litigation , depending on each cli...
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.