Bristow Lawyers

Ryan A. Brown was born in Kansas City and raised in California. His first job in the computer industry began at the age of eleven, building and repairing personal computers for a local store in Santa Barbara, California. In 1993 he began a computer and Internet consulting firm and started the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Santa Barbara. Ryan went on to attend Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he received a BS in Computer Science with departmental and school honors and a BA in Spanish in 2000. Ryan is a member of Tau Beta Pi, Upsilon Pi Epsilon...

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...

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...

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...

Attorney

Gary "Neil" Ripley hails from Alexandria, Virginia. As of September 3, 2019, he is an associate attorney with Greenwood Law. Neil is fluent in three languages including English, Spanish, and French. After graduating from high school as an AP Scholar, Neil attended the University of Virginia (UVA) where he double-majored in Government with a concentration in Political Theory, and History with a concentration in Russian Political History. He was a member of UVA’s Men’s Rugby Team, UVA’s Men’s Rowing Team, and the Crisis Director for the Virginia International Crisis Simulation at the International Relations Organization.

After graduating from UVA, Neil worked...

I am dedicated to helping couples and families get through divorce in as constructive, thoughtful, amicable and cost-effective way as possible. I support my clients in finding solutions that will keep you and your family out of destructive, expensive court battles. I bring years of family mediation and collaborative divorce experience as well as specialized training and practice in parenting coordination. My focus is on helping you and your spouse to craft solutions that will work for your unique situation. My mission is to help you to make informed, thoughtful decisions about both your future and your children's future.

I am an attorney at Kublan Khan PLC. Before my current position, I dedicated my efforts to family law matters at the Family Law and Mediation Center, PLC. I have been practicing law since 2006 and have a background as a state government attorney handling both criminal and civil cases. My experience also extends to working for the U.S. Department of State, providing me with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by foreign service and military families. I earned my law degree from the William and Mary School of Law in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 2004. Following my graduation, I...

Izak is Assistant General Counsel at MITRE (a leading science and technology nonprofit engaging in research and development in the public interest), where he provides strategic guidance on corporate compliance, commercial contracts, international governance, technology transactions, and disputes. He is a licensed Attorney in New York, Washington DC, the US Supreme Court, and registered Corporate Counsel in Virginia (USA), a Barrister & Solicitor in Ontario (Canada), a Lawyer in Victoria (Australia), and a Solicitor in England & Wales (UK). He is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional - EU (CIPP/E). Prior to MITRE, Izak was the global in-house compliance and contracts...

Lawyer with 35 years of experience (23 in divorce and family law - including 20 years in Virginia). Graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law - 1980, and the College of William and Mary - 1977 with a business degree. Practiced limited to the Commonwealth of Virginia in family law, (including divorce, custody, military divorces, CSRS, FERS, TSP, child support and spousal support). Provide one-on-one representation in Stafford, Spotsylvania County, City of Fredericksburg, and Prince William County. Practice solely in Virginia (Inactive member only in California, DC and Maryland).

My passion is helping individuals, families, and business owners achieve peace of mind by developing and implementing creative, customized, and yet cost effective plans. As part of my goal oriented estate planning process, I first seek to understand your goals and needs. My advice focuses on how your estate planning documents advance your goals. I use plain English and easy to understand visual aids, so you know what you need to do in order ensure that your plan works the way you intend. My personal mission is to make estate planning as accessible, efficient and streamlined as possible...

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...

Mr. Hicks has been practicing law for 39 years. He attended college on the GI Bill and worked his way through law school as a full-time policeman. After graduation, he served for two and one-half years as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney. He went into private practice in 1979, but served as the part-time prosecutor for the City of Falls Church for about 18 years. His practice is limited to criminal law, including DWI/DUI, and personal injury law. He is AV-Preeminent Rated and has been for many years. He has been named to Super Lawyers....

In 1979, Ms. Magee graduated with honors from the National Law Center at the George Washington University. She and her husband then moved back to his native state of Rhode Island, where she worked as a staff attorney for the Rhode Island Supreme Court, reviewing cases and preparing pre-hearing memoranda for the justices.
In 1981 Ms. Magee and her husband returned to Northern Virginia, where she became an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Fairfax County. In 1987 she left the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, and went into solo practice, focusing on criminal defense. In 2003,...

W. Scott Greco has thirty years of experience arbitrating and litigating investor claims against stockbrokers and investment advisers for claims of securities fraud, churning, unauthorized trading, theft, unsuitable recommendations, and other broker malpractice. These proceedings include FINRA arbitrations, AAA arbitrations, and lawsuits in federal and state courts. Mr. Greco is currently admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., but represents investors across the country. He received his B.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia in 1991 and his J.D. from the College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1994. Mr. Greco regularly appears...

Frederick D. Greco was born in 1937, graduated from American University Law School of Washington, D.C. in 1962, and served in the United States Navy from 1962 to 1964. He has practiced law in McLean, Virginia since 1964. Mr. Greco worked as a general law practitioner from 1964 to 1974. Since 1974, his primary practice area has been commercial and securities law litigation. An experienced litigator, Frederick D. Greco has concentrated over the last two decades on representing plaintiffs and defendants in trial and arbitration claims against stock brokers and brokerage firms. In arbitration, Mr. Greco has argued cases before New...

Jon is an experienced litigator licensed in Virginia and Washington, DC. Jon’s success as an attorney comes from his experience and his dedication to efficiently and cost-effectively achieve the best possible outcome for his clients. Jon works closely with his clients to help them make the best-informed decisions on matters that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Although he has a versatile practice, Jon’s experience as a family lawyer and criminal defense attorney sets him apart from many other lawyers. He has gained a unique understanding of the intersection between criminal law and family law making him well...

Attorney Kevin Myers is a founding partner at Livesay & Myers, P.C. Along with partner James Livesay, Mr. Myers formed Livesay & Myers, P.C. in 2003, when the firm opened its first office in Woodbridge, Virginia. The firm has grown steadily since, and now encompasses a team of lawyers and paralegals across offices in Fairfax, Arlington, Ashburn, Manassas and Fredericksburg-Stafford, Virginia. Born in Fairfax, Mr. Myers is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia, and now resides in Fairfax County with his wife.

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...

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,...

Sebastian M. Norton, Esq. is an accomplished and aggressive Virginia and D.C. attorney specializing in criminal and juvenile representation as well as drafting wills and trusts and other testamentary documents such as advance medical and power of attorney directives.

Sebastian has represented hundreds of clients in courts in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. including multiple high-level jury and bench trials. Additionally, Sebastian has provided countless Virginia and D.C. clients with necessary, custom-tailored testamentary documents such as wills, trusts, power of attorney and advance medical directives.

Although a native of Alexandria, Virginia, Sebastian completed his studies in philosophy and political science at...

Brandon Sloane is a former prosecutor with over a decade of prosecution experience, and now proudly serving clients charged with criminal offenses throughout the Northern Virginia area including Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William, Loudoun, Fauquier, Stafford, and wherever else you may find yourself. Charges handled include traffic offenses such as speeding and reckless driving by speed, DWI/DUI, and any other misdemeanor and felony offenses such as petit larceny, assault & battery, drug possession, drug distribution, firearms offenses, malicious wounding, robbery and murder. As a former prosecutor who has experience handling the most serious cases including several successful murder jury trials, Brandon...

William (Bill) Turner is a criminal defense attorney who actually tries cases. A former prosecutor for two Virginia jurisdictions, Mr. Turner has tried thousands of criminal cases to a verdict, including several high-profile jury trials. Having successfully built and prosecuted countless criminal cases as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney, Mr. Turner offers clients an insider's view into how to respond to and defend against a government prosecution.

Mr. Turner believes that individuals facing criminal allegations need confident, talented, and experienced attorneys to develop a winning strategy and to argue their case persuasively. He combines extensive knowledge...

S.L. England, PLLC combines government and private sector experience under one umbrella. Our civil and criminal practices are anchored by the experience of a former Assistant United States Attorney, INTERPOL Fellow, and private practitioner. With the experience of numerous federal and international investigations, as well as represented plaintiffs and defendants in a variety civil actions, S.L. England, PLLC is the firm you want. 95% of attorneys are not trial attorneys. Most have never stepped foot in court to make oral argument before a judge. It makes a big difference: good lawyers must have the ability to argue your case in...

John attended Virginia Tech for his undergraduate degree and The University of Richmond Law School for his Juris Doctor. He is the author of numerous legal publications and is a member of the Hanover Bar Association as well as the Christian Legal Society, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, and the Lewis F. Powell Jr. American Inn of Court. John recently served as General Counsel for the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association which primarily involved lobbying the General Assembly on behalf of personal injury attorneys and their clients.

John Kiyonaga has spent the last 30 years successfully defending people accused of all major crimes to include capital murder, espionage and complex fraud. A graduate of Columbia Law School and fluent Spanish speaker, he is rated AV (Preeminent) by Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Kiyonaga has conducted over three dozen jury trials, argued numerous federal and state appeals, successfully petitioned the United States Supreme Court for hearing, and successfully challenged long after the fact, convictions in Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Prior to defending the criminally accused, he practiced with the Wall Street law firm of Brown & Wood and served as a...

Jeffrey Zimmerman has over 25 years of experience representing individuals facing a broad range of criminal charges, from white collar prosecutions to capital cases. Jeff also specializes in defending individuals and entities in civil and criminal forfeiture matters. He is a member of the Virginia and District of Columbia bars and practices in federal trial and appellate courts nationwide. Jeff has been named in the list of preeminent lawyers in the field of criminal defense by Virginia Super Lawyers and as a Top Criminal Defense Lawyer by Northern Virginia Magazine. He is a frequent speaker on forfeiture litigation and federal criminal...

In total, I spent 35 years in the insurance industry, handling liability claims. Prior to attending law school, I worked as an insurance adjuster and in claims management at GEICO. My positions allowed me the opportunity to learn a great deal about insurance company claims operations and the difficulties that large insurance companies face as well as the biggest hurdles for people who need to make claims. My work led me to attend law school while continuing my career in insurance. Following my graduation, I moved into the position of attorney with the company. Since that time, I have defended...

Burke Law, P.L.C. provides its clients with effective legal services as they face their most challenging legal issues. Burke Law counsels government contractors and employees on matters ranging from security clearances eligibility denials to the most basic questions about completing the SF-86. The law practice of Burke Law also defends clients against criminal charges, against asset forfeiture proceedings brought by state and federal law enforcement, and maintains a heavy consumer protection and civil litigation case load in both state and federal court. Clients in all practice areas attest to the prompt, courteous, and professional...

Gretchyn Meinken grew up in a U.S. Army family, living in Germany for the majority of her childhood. She moved to the Washington, D.C. Metro area after completing a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Alabama in 2000. Ms. Meinken now calls Alexandria, Virginia home after residing here since 2001 (her longest stint in any one place).

Ms. Meinken focuses her practice on estate planning and administration, as well as general corporate law and taxation. She represents individuals, estates, trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations.

Foster Friedman concentrates on planning and controversy matters involving estate and trusts. He has extensive experience advising clients on the transfer of wealth from one generation to another, including the orderly and tax-efficient succession of family-owned businesses, through the preparation and implementation of Wills, Trusts, Family Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies.

Mr. Friedman serves individual clients who seek to transfer assets efficiently to their chosen beneficiaries. As a part of our estate planning services, we also consider the impact of federal income, estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes on the transmission of wealth. We often help our clients achieve tax...

Lisa Mathews is a licensed attorney serving clients throughout northern Virginia. She practices estate planning. Please go to www.mathewslawpllc.com to set up an appointment online. Or call 703-215-2088. Mathews Law is built on the premise that everyone deserves access to a caring, skilled attorney.

Attorney with emphasis in start-up and venture business law, small business law, taxation, wills, trusts and estate planning. Computer Scientist with extensive experience in web based application development, databases, data mining, information retrieval and distributed systems. I enjoy working with small and start-up technology businesses and advising them both on technology and law, where appropriate.

Since 2001 Joseph T. Brown has provided aggressive, experienced, high quality legal representation to thousands of people charged with felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses or who have family law matters such as divorce, custody, visitation, child support, spousal support and protective order.

Andrew P. Hill is a founding partner and attorney with Mata & Hill PLC, a full-service civil law firm serving the beautiful northern Shenandoah Valley. Mr. Hill concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate, estate planning and administration, litigation, and business.

Mr. Hill received his undergraduate degrees from Northwestern University and his law degree from the College of William and Mary. Prior to forming Mata & Hill PLC, he worked with small but highly-respected law firms in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.

Mr. Hill is licensed to practice law in the state courts of Virginia,...

Cody Remington concentrates his law practice primarily in the areas of Criminal Law, DUI & Traffic Violations. Prior to joining Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law, Mr. Remington successfully represented & defended the interests of his clients in real estate, land use and small business matters. He is an extremely knowledgeable, professional, and diligent attorney. Before entering the practice of law, Mr. Remington served as a paralegal and law clerk for two prestigious criminal law firms and the Roanoke City Commonwealth Attorney’s Office where his responsibilities included drafting criminal law memorandums, motions & pleadings, and assisting firm attorneys on various types...

Buta Biberaj was born in Montenegro and is of Albanian parentage. She was raised in the Bronx borough of New York City. She graduated from George Mason University with a B.S. in Education in 1987 and received her Juris Doctorate (JD) from the George Mason University School of Law in 1993. Buta is licensed to practice in the State Courts for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland and New York. She is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. Buta’s involvement in the community is evidenced by her participation and service which include being a mentor for...