Hinton Family Lawyers

I focus my practice on five areas: family law, civil litigation, bankruptcy, criminal defense, business law and contract drafting. For family law matters, I can assist clients with divorce, custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, and protective orders. I also have experience in a wide variety of civil litigation, ranging from breach of contract claims to property ownership disputes and beyond. I earned my law degree from Villanova University School of Law where I served as a student attorney in Villanova’s Clinic for Asylum, Refugee, and Emigrant Services. Passionate about pro bono work, I also volunteered as the Chair of the...

For over a decade, lawyer Sarah Bruns has been aggressively protecting the rights of her clients in Northern Virginia. As a seasoned trial attorney, Sarah has defended individuals charged with Murder, Rape, Robbery, Theft, and Drug Possession/Distribution. Sarah also has extensive experience in representing clients charged with traffic offenses such as Driving While Intoxicated (DWI/DUI) and Hit and Run. While some crimes carry more severe penalties than others, Sarah handles every client’s case knowing that it is the most important one for that client. She believes that no client should be treated as if their issue is of little consequence. Sarah’s...

REPRESENTTIVE CASES - United States v. Bosyk, 933 F3d 319 (4th Cir. 2019) cert denied, 140 S. Ct. 1124 (U.S. Feb. 24, 2020)(No. 19-860), 2019. - Shepherd v. Conde, 797 S.E.2d 750 (Va. 2017) - Chacey v. Garvey, 781 S.E.2d 357, (Va. 2015) - Weatherholt v. Commonwealth, 839 S.E.2d 492 (Va. 2020) - Spell v. Commonwealth, 851 S.E.2d 83 (2020) - St. John v. Thompson, 854 S.E.2d 648 (2021) CLASSES/SEMINARS - Land Use and Zoning: Navigate Land Use/Zoning Regulations, Permitting Issues, Disputes and More; National Business Institute, July 20, 2017 - How to Get Your Social Media, Email and Text Evidence Admitted (and Keep Theirs Out), National Business Institute,...

Ryan M. Schmalzle is a principal and founder of the firm. His practice focuses on family law, civil litigation, and criminal law. Ryan regularly practices in several jurisdictions in Northern Virginia including Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Clarke County, Frederick County and the City of Winchester. He also practices in the Maryland Courts, including Frederick County and Montgomery County. Ryan is an adjunct professor of law at George Mason University School of Law where he teaches appellate writing. Ryan also serves as a Special Justice in Loudoun County and he presides over civil commitment hearings. Although Ryan’s primary love...

Sharon Moss is an associate at Farrell & Croft, P.C. practicing family law and estate planning. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. In her estate planning practice, Ms. Moss drafts wills, trusts, advance medical directives, living wills, and powers of attorney.

A native Virginian, Ms. Moss is a military spouse, and has lived in many states over the last 16 years. She graduated cum laude in the top 20% of her class from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of...

Mr. McLeod grew up in North Texas before his undergraduate studies took him across the globe. Mr. McLeod graduated from Adelaide University (South Australia), receiving a B.A. degree in History. Returning to Texas, he then attended Texas Christian University and went on to comlpete an M.A. in History. Mr. McLeod then undertook his legal education at the University of the District of Columbia School of Law with the help of academic scholarships and grants and went on to graduate cum laude. During law school Mr. McLeod attained the prestigious position of Managing Editor of the University...

Cheryl Watson Smith JD, has been in the private practice of law in Roanoke, Virginia since 1988 and practices in the area of family law, including complex property matters. Through the Collaborative Divorce Process, mediation, and negotiated settlements, she assists families in resolving disputes without going to court.

Ms. Smith is passionate about the Collaborative Divorce Process as an alternative to court battles for families in conflict. She is committed to expanding the use of the Collaborative Divorce Process by developing her own Collaborative Practice skills and training other professionals in the Collaborative Process. Ms. Smith is on the faculty...

Michael J. Seck, Esquire born Ann Arbor, Michigan; admitted to Virginia bar October 12, 2001, Supreme Court of Virginia, October 29, 2001, Supreme Court of New Jersey, December 7, 2002, United States District Court, District of New Jersey, December 31, 2001 Education: Elon College, North Carolina (B.A., Politics, August 1996); The Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Michigan, (Juris Doctor, January 2001) Practice Areas: Criminal Law; Adult and Juvenile Felonies and Misdemeanors; Driving While Intoxicated; Traffic Law; Divorce; Domestic Relations; Adoption; Civil Litigation; Landlord/Tenant; Business & Corporate Law; Wills and Estates; HOA Disputes; Consumer Protection; Products Liability; Personal Injury ...

Retired U.S. Marine Corps judge advocate practicing family law, criminal law, military law and general litigation.

For more than 40 years, ShounBach has continued to establish itself as one of the best family law firms in Northern Virginia. The firm’s extensive team of Northern Virginia family law attorneys has more than 200 years of combined experience and handles all kinds of family law and divorce matters, from child custody to domestic violence. More information can be found on the firm’s extensive website.

As a criminal defense attorney, John has fought aggressively for his clients’ rights in cases involving serious felonies, including murder, malicious wounding, drug possession/distribution, white-collar crimes, and sex crimes (e.g. rape, child pornography) as well as all types of misdemeanors, including DUI, assault and battery, and simple driving infractions, such as reckless driving. As a civil litigation lawyer, John has experience in both jury trials and bench trials, and has represented clients in cases worth millions of dollars. Early on in his career, he litigated patent infringement cases all over the country. Over the years, he has continued to excel in...

Robert D. Moreton dedicates his practice to domestic relations and bankruptcy law.

While family law and bankruptcy issues can be overwhelming and emotionally draining, Mr. Moreton takes a practical approach to each of his cases, working with client to determine their priorities and develop a strategy tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of their case. Mr. Moreton understands that there is no substitution for hard work and preparation when it comes to resolving complex and emotional issues.

Mr. Moreton represents clients in Circuit Courts and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts throughout Northern Virginia. He also represents individual and...

I practice in the areas of family law, guardianships & conservatorships, estate planning, and estate administration. My clients are my first priority and I focus on achieving the best outcome possible for them. I am well-versed in a full range of legal services including litigation, agreements, mediation, and collaborative divorce.

Stephanie L. Duran is an associate attorney in the DiPietro Law Group, PLLC Fairfax office. Although a native of Northern Virginia, Stephanie earned juris doctorate in both the United States and Canada as part of a select program between the University of Windsor and University of Detroit-Mercy. While in law school, Stephanie volunteered as a student attorney for the University of Detroit-Mercy’s Urban Law Clinic, providing legal services to Detroit’s elder community. She also worked for legal aid of Windsor, Ontario, providing valuable services to the Windsor community. Following graduation from law school, Stephanie returned to Northern Virginia where she began...

Priti founded Khanna Law in 2015 after moving to Virginia from Atlanta, Georgia, where she practiced family law, immigration law, and bankruptcy law. Priti’s primary fields of practice are family law, divorce and immigration law and she regularly handles complex custody, divorce, child support and family related immigration cases.

Priti decided to pursue a career in law in order to join a profession where she could directly and positively impact people and their lives. During law school Priti worked with various non-profit legal organizations assisting victims of domestic violence and immigrants with their legal issues. After graduating from law school Priti...

Joe DiPietro is the Founder of DiPietro Law Group, PLLC. He is experienced handling complex cases in state and federal courts involving international custody disputes under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction at the trial and appellate levels, international and domestic divorce, and complex cases involving spousal support, custody and visitation, child support, and enforcement of awards on behalf of clients. Joe’s philosophy and mission is to make family transitions and conflict a time for personal growth and powerful positive change, in addition to advocating for the best possible result for his client in...

In January 2011, Donna opened Donna Dougherty Law within a few blocks of the Prince William County Courthouse. Her firm focuses on Family Law issues and she represents children in custody and abuse and neglect situations. She and her staff work as a team to advocate for their clientâs interests and in moving on to the next stage of their lives. In 2005, Donna began practicing law in Virginia focusing on civil litigation to include family and real estate litigation. Donna has fine-tuned her practice and focuses on family issues where marriages and/or relationships are dissolving and legal assistance...

Brian has been a divorce attorney litigating and settling cases in Northern Virginia since 1985, and is certified by the Virginia Supreme Court in Family Mediation. He is listed in "The Best Lawyers in America", Washingtonian magazine's Top Divorce Lawyers, Northern Virginia magazine’s Top Divorce Lawyers and Virginia Business magazine's "Legal Elite".

He is the editor of the Virginia Family Law Quarterly, the official publication of the Family Law Section of the Virginia State Bar. Brian is a past Chair of the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section Board of Governors. He has been a Fellow of the American Academy of...

Sakeena Farhath is a Managing Attorney at DiPietro Law Group, PLLC. She is a passionate advocate for our clients, helping them work to achieve the best possible outcomes for their cases. Sakeena is experienced in handling high-conflict custody and visitation cases, as well as cases with complex financial issues. Prior to joining DiPietro Law Group, PLLC, Sakeena served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Thomas P. Mann in the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. She also worked at the Office of the County Attorney in Fairfax, assisting on child custody issues collaboratively with the Fairfax County Department...

Melanie Hubbard is a founding partner at Malinowski Hubbard and practices exclusively in family law. She has successfully litigated multiple cases involving child custody, property and asset division, grandparents’ rights, property settlement agreements, and more. An active member of the legal community, Attorney Hubbard helped author Chapter 3 – Support and Property Provisions in Separation and Support Agreements – of “Negotiating and Drafting Marital Agreements” handbook. She also contributed to the Virginia Family Law Coalition’s report to the Virginia Senate Rules Committee (October 2013) revolving matters of parental control and third party infringement. Her peers selected her for the 2016...

Daniel B. Krisky of The Law Office of Daniel B. Krisky, P.C. has over 40 years of experience in the field of law primarily focusing on the practice areas of Criminal and Family Law.

I am located in Fairfax, Virginia and serve the Northern Virginia area. My practice focuses primarily on Estate Planning, Criminal Law, and Personal Injury.

Ms. DeFede practices primarily in the areas of education law, family law, juvenile law and criminal defense. She has represented clients in all state courts in Northern Virginia, the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Supreme Court of Virginia and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Ms. DeFede has extensive litigation experience in the areas of criminal law, ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Likewise, she has litigated nearly every facet of family law, such as protective orders, support, custody disputes and complex equitable distribution. Ms. DeFede has also represented clients...

Douglas J. Sanderson provides legal services in the multiple areas of commercial real estate, family law/domestic relations, and business organizations and transactions. In his family law/domestic relations practice, Doug counsels and represents people who seek legal assistance with, for example, separation agreements, divorces, and issues of child custody and visitation, equitable distribution, and support (spousal and child, as may apply), as well as, on a happier note, pre-nuptial agreements. Doug’s practice includes litigation as well as other methods of problem-solving, and he strives to assist clients in finding resolutions that avoid or minimize litigation, and to further that...

Attorney Rachel Fierro received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Maine and her Juris Doctorate from the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. Her primary practice areas are Family Law, Traffic and Criminal Law. She has been practicing for over 20 years. She is admitted to practice in Virginia, U.S. District Court and the Supreme Court of the United States.

John P. Lavinus IV is a Senior Associate at the DiPietro Law Group, PLLC in the Fairfax office, where he works with individuals who are dealing with divorce, custody, support, and other significant family law issues throughout Northern Virginia. John believes that every client’s case is unique and requires special consideration and works to provide each and every one of his clients with a strategy that is tailored to their specific needs. John is a Virginia native, hailing from Richmond where he attended the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, before going on to receive a...

Mr. Leahy is a former Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fauquier County. As a former prosecutor, he brings to the firm knowledge and experience from one of the local Commonwealth Attorney’s Offices.

Prior to joining The Reed Law Firm, Mr. Reed graduated near the top of his class at the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law. During his time at Dickinson, Mr. Reed was privileged to serve on the Board of the Dickinson Law Review in the position of Notes Editor. His work experience includes clerkships with the United States Department of Justice, Civil Division and The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. Mr. Reed also served as an associate at a large nationally recognized law firm for approximately six years. Mr. Reed is a member of the Virginia Bar and the Prince...

B.A. University of Richmond 1975 J.D. University of Richmond - T.C. Williams School of Law 1980

John Irving brings a working knowledge of all aspects of the legal process to any case or client with his extensive and eclectic legal background. In 1997, John received his undergraduate bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Shortly after graduation he began work as a fraud investigator for the City of New York. John handled thousands of cases involving welfare and housing fraud. Following this position, he was recruited to and employed the Prince William County Police Department where he exhibited his superior abilities and received several commendations and awards. After a brief time with the police department, John decided to make...

Samantha Lewis focuses her practice on all areas of family law and civil litigation, guiding her clients through the process with skill and empathy. She joined Manassas Law Group in August 2022 after her time as a law clerk for the Honorable Carroll A. Weimer, Jr. of the Prince William County Circuit Court. Born and raised in Northern New Jersey, Samantha moved to Virginia to attend George Mason University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Government and International Politics, she attended George Mason Antonin Scalia Law School, graduating...