Shacklefords Family Lawyers

Eleven years’ legal experience in business law, corporate formation, compliance, complex consumer litigation, regulatory, contracts and bankruptcy law. Local experience in family law; advocate for domestic violence survivors. Four years in Am Law (top 100 American law firms) located in DC, with business, bankruptcy and commercial litigation focus. Experience in automotive and construction fraud litigation. Fifteen years’ corporate experience, gained as business owner, award-winning author and airplane owner. Advanced knowledge of and experience working with UDAAP, Bankruptcy rules...

Stephen has firsthand experience with the effects of divorce on children and families, and he possesses the experience to minimize the adverse consequences on all family members through collaborative approaches. As a member of the Virginia State Bar, Stephen is authorized to practice law in all courts within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, he is admitted to practice before the United States District Court and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia. Stephen is an esteemed member of the Roanoke Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the Virginia Bar Association. Actively engaged in community service, Stephen participates...

Ariel Baniowski is a managing partner at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Ms. Baniowski works in the firm’s Ashburn office, and represents clients in Ashburn, Leesburg, Loudoun County, and all across Northern Virginia. Ms. Baniowski is known as one of the more aggressive attorneys at Livesay & Myers, P.C., and has litigated every type of family law matter in Virginia, including custody, support, separation and high asset divorce cases. Ms. Baniowski's work ethic and drive are unmatched. To say...

Life often presents unexpected twists and turns, and family dynamics are no exception. Growing up under the care of adopted parents, I quickly grasped the profound impact that family law can have on individuals navigating through challenging life phases. Today, as a family law attorney and the sole practitioner holding the distinction of being an Attorney and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® professional in Southwest Virginia, I am dedicated to assisting my clients through every phase of their journey, guiding them toward a fresh chapter in their lives.

JD, Washington and Lee Law School
BA, University of Virginia (English and Mathematics)

Echols Scholar
Washington Scholar
National Moot Court Team
Big Brother of the Year

Recognized expert in consumer law and consumer rights litigation and has testified as an expert witness in the Virginia Circuit Courts

Cary Powell Moseley, Esquire
Attorney at Law
Moseley Law, PLLC
401 Otey Street
Bedford, Virginia 24523
540.583.5362 (office)
434.546.3774 (cell)
cary@carymoseley.com (email)
carymoseley.com (web)

I am a seasoned trial attorney who has been providing legal advice throughout Roanoke County, Roanoke City, the City of Salem, Franklin County, Bedford County, Botetourt County and courts throughout Southwest Virginia for more than a decade. But, I have been protecting citizen’s rights for even longer. Prior to becoming a criminal defense attorney, I served in the U.S. Marine Corps and earned the rank of Sergeant with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. Then, I worked as a prosecutor in Roanoke City before finally becoming a criminal defense attorney in the greater Roanoke area, where I tried cases in...

Amanda Stone Swart is a lead senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Ms. Stone Swart works in the firm’s Ashburn office, and represents clients in Ashburn, Leesburg, Loudoun County, and all across Northern Virginia. Ms. Stone Swart is originally from Boone, Iowa. She graduated summa cum laude from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in 2004, with Bachelor’s of Arts degrees in both Political Science and Journalism. Upon graduation, Ms. Stone Swart worked in politics in...

Jeffrey Weaver is the founder of Prenup Pros, the first law firm in Virginia to only specialize in marital agreements (prenuptial agreements and post-nuptial agreements). Jeff has prepared contracts for clients since 1999 and through Prenup Pros he applies his expertise and experience to prepare prenuptial agreements for clients located in Texas, Virginia, Florida, New York, Nevada and New Jersey. Jeff formed Prenup Pros to provide marrying couples access to affordable, easy-to-understand prenuptial agreements because he believes that all couples should at least consider a prenup. His belief derives from the fact the he personally experienced the...

I am a tenacious Roanoke lawyer who puts my clients' interests first. As a general practice attorney, I have extensive experience in many different areas of the law, including: business formation and corporate governance, general civil litigation, family law (divorce, support and custody), plaintiff's personal injury, GAO protests and federal procurement law, bankruptcy (Chapters 7 and 13), construction litigation, civil rights and s. 1983 cases, protective orders, and alternative dispute resolution. This broad experience allows me to bring a different perspective to bear in my practice. I have won jury and bench trials in Virginia, and have been victorious...

John Huntington has been advocating for clients with complex Family Law matters for decades. He is experienced using alternative dispute resolution models such as Judicial Settlement Conferences, Mediation, Collaborative Divorce practice, and Cooperative Divorce practice. While pursuing the best possible outcomes, Mr. Huntington is mindful of promoting the best interests of children, and dignity of those involved. He is dedicated to practicing law with professionalism and civility.

Mr. Huntington received his B.A. with honors, at the State University of New York at Binghamton. In 1981, he obtained a J.D. from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University....

Wren M. Williams is the President of Schneider & Williams, P.C. He graduated from Patrick County High School and went on to attend Hampden-Sydney College as a Patrick Henry Scholar. There, Williams was active in student government, president of his fraternity, and received the Cohen Citizenship Award from the Lambda Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa. Williams graduated cum laude from Hampden-Sydney College, earning a BA in English with minors in both Rhetoric and Creative Writing. Following graduation, Williams attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law for its outstanding trial advocacy program. During his time at Cumberland, Williams served...

Name and co-founding partner Michele L. Burton was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. She attended the University of Virginia where she obtained Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Anthropology. Shortly thereafter, Michele graduated from Old Dominion University with a Master of Arts in Humanities with a focus on Race and Law. In May 2012, she graduated from the College of William and Mary School of Law with a Juris Doctorate and passed the bar in October of that year. Upon graduation, Michele worked as a magistrate in Norfolk, Virginia for two years where she conducted probable cause...

David was born and raised in the Roanoke Valley; the son of a Registered Nurse and a Roanoke City Police Officer, he spent his childhood in Salem and attended Glenvar High School. After graduating, he went on to attend Virginia Tech where he received degrees in both Finance and Accounting. After graduation, David worked as an accountant in both the public and private sectors, but decided the law was his true calling. He went on to attend Washington & Lee University School of Law, where he graduated with honors at the top of his class in 2010. David began his...

Jaime is one of the managing partners at Amaryllis Law Firm, located in Salem, VA. Her passion for immigration and adoption law was ignited by her experiences serving in an orphanage in Uganda and participating in a project in Thailand aimed at combating human trafficking. Her legal practice encompasses a variety of areas including providing immigration solutions for businesses and their employees, defense against removal, advocacy for victims, support for juveniles who have been neglected, abandoned, or abused, and handling both domestic and international adoptions. Since 2019, peers have consistently nominated Jaime as a Rising Star for Super Lawyers, and since...

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...

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...

Growing up, Alanna’s parents heard primarily one complaint from her teachers: she talks too much. In high school, she had an English teacher sit down and explain to her that she needed to develop her listening skills and taught her that she would learn a lot more by listening than by talking. Alanna is a product of LA Law, and in her youth, the television show glamorized being a lawyer. Being active in debate and public speaking in high school and college, law school was a natural progression. She found that the two important qualities in being a family...

Alyssa Grzesiak (pronounced “Gray-Shock”) is an attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. Her practice covers every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody, visitation, and support cases. Ms. Grzesiak works in the firm’s Ashburn office, and represents clients in Leesburg, Ashburn, Loudoun County, and all across Northern Virginia. Ms. Grzesiak graduated from William & Mary Law School in 2023. During law school, she worked at the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Office, the Virginia Office of the Attorney General and the Human Trafficking Institute. Ms. Grzesiak also held positions as Executive...

After completing his undergrad with honors at the University of Toronto in Canada, Mr. Raheen moved to New York and attained his Juris Doctorate Law Degree (J.D.) and Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.) at the New York Law School and Fordham University School of Law, respectively. Following his post-doctorate graduation, Mr. Raheen worked with the prestigious NY law firm of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, where he gained and reflected their successful motto of attention to detail in high quality work product. Mr. Raheen and his family moved closer to family in the DC...

John H. Kitzmann is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and a partner and co-founder of Davidson & Kitzmann, PLC. He is also the former Chair of the Family Law Section of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Kitzmann has been practicing family law for more than twenty years. He has extensive experience negotiating and litigating the full range of family law issues. Mr. Kitzmann's recent representations in the area of family law have involved a divorce involving more than $500 Million in marital property, litigation concerning the value and distribution of a multinational corporation, complex...

Maggy R. Vaughn has cultivated extensive experience in complex family law, with a particular emphasis on adoption. As a member of the American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, a prestigious organization of top adoption lawyers, she has demonstrated exceptional competence and ethical standards. In her role as a Guardian ad litem (GAL), she brings a distinctive perspective to intricate family law issues. Ms. Vaughn's practice encompasses a broad range of matters, including agency adoptions, direct parental placements, step-parent and close-relative adoptions, adoption consultations, third-party custody cases, and foster parent representation. She also handles child custody, divorce, child support, visitation,...

Joseph H. Beale has been providing exceptional legal services for individuals and families in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia for more than twenty years. Every client is important and with you he will develop a client centered strategy that fits your unique circumstances in order to meet your goals and achieve the best possible outcome for you in a cost effective, ethical and efficient manner. He believes in building strong and lasting relationships with clients based on trust, open communication and delivering results. He has a solid reputation as a skilled litigator and negotiator, earning a perfect 10...

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...

Britt is the Vice President of Schneider & Williams, P.C. Originally from Georgia, she graduated from Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology. Britt then went on to attend Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia. There, Britt chaired as Vice President of the Student Government Association, the Campus Events Organization, and a community service society unique to Sweet Briar. She also enjoyed the opportunity to captain the Women’s Varsity Lacrosse team. Britt graduated Sweet Briar College with a BA in Sociology with a minor in Religion.

Following graduation, Britt attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of...

I provide diligent , aggressive , and competent representation in the areas of criminal law; traffic law including but not limited to speeding tickets, reckless driving, accident cases, driving suspended ,and DUI; family law including divorce, custody, visitation, and support; wills and power of attorney.

Vicki L. Francois (née Wiese), Esq.

Vicki obtained a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. She then obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City School of Law, where she was awarded Order of the Barristers in recognition of excellence of courtroom advocacy. She also served as a law clerk for the Honorable James F. Lane of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals during law school.  Vicki has continued to further her education by attending the University of Pennsylvania and completing Leadership Strategy for Violence and Abuse Prevention, Executive Program.

She is licensed to practice law...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

Robert D. Moreton is a Partner at WhitbeckBennett, focused primarily on family law and bankruptcy. Prior to joining the firm, Robert co-founded a small law firm in 2012 where he gained invaluable litigation experience representing clients throughout Northern Virginia. In more than a decade of practice, Robert gained particular familiarity with the complex interplay of divorce and bankruptcy and possesses unique experience practicing in bankruptcy and state court. Robert spent his early years moving across the country until his family settled in the D.C. area where he completed high school. A “black sheep” in a family of engineers he began his...

Elizabeth Vaughan believes that everyone who walks into a family lawyer’s office needs three things: A good listener, an educated counselor, and a fierce advocate. By first getting to know her clients and understanding what is important to them, Elizabeth then works with clients to make a plan that achieves their goals and takes the anxiety out of the court process. Elizabeth has practiced law in Virginia for fourteen years.

Elizabeth is a graduate of Penn State University and William and Mary Law School. In addition to divorce, custody, and support matters, Elizabeth has a particular expertise in adoption and child...