Chester Gap Lawyers

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).

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...

Charles B. Roberts is a personal injury and wrongful death attorney with over 30 years of experience in the practice of personal injury law. During this time, he has won numerous million dollar personal injury cases and received multiple awards, including being selected by the Wall Street Journal as one of the " Capital Regions' Premier Personal Injury Attorneys". He was also named a " A Top Trial Lawyer in America " by the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mr. Roberts' representative clients have included NFL football players, most notably a Pittsburgh Steelers/Super Bowl winning running back, a...

Thomas B. Christiano received a B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1993 and a J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary in 1999. Mr. Christiano has handled numerous consumer protection cases and specializes in cases involving inaccurate credit reporting under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. He has reviewed the credit reporting procedure process from the major credit reporting agencies and the dispute investigation procedures of many banks who have furnished inaccurate credit information. As an experienced credit report lawyer, he can identify the actual damages associated with credit report problems, including emotional...

Samantha has been practicing exclusively in personal injury litigation ever since graduating in the top of her class in 2011. She is a tireless and dedicated client advocate who works hard to attain justice for her clients. Her work ethic and attention to detail have led to successful results in even the most challenging of cases. Samantha has litigated in many trial courts throughout Virginia and also obtained multiple successful results from the Supreme Court of Virginia. She is not afraid to push for success on her clients' behalf, whether it means bringing a case to trial or appealing an...

Virginia criminal defense attorney Steve Duckett has devoted his career to fighting for the right's of individuals charged with criminal offenses in the state of Virginia. Steve Duckett has handled a wide variety of criminal cases including, but not limited to, DUI charges, assault charges, drug charges, reckless driving charges, as well as federal charges. Mr. Duckett graduated from the University of Richmond with a Political Science and Economics degree in 1994. Since receiving his Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University he has practiced criminal law exclusively in the various courthouses in Northern Virginia. Mr. Duckett is admitted to practice...

My practice focuses on advising clients on general corporate and transactional matters, including company formation and governance, mergers and acquisitions, operating and stockholder agreements, buy-sell agreements, private offerings of debt and equity securities (including friends and family, angel, venture capital and private equity investments), corporate divorces and other reorganizations, small business certifications (including 8(a), SDVO, WOSB, HUB Zone and MBE/DBE certifications), executive employment and equity matters, franchise agreements, vendor and customer issues, and other commercial contracts and agreements.

Kim Luckey exclusively practices civil litigation, primarily focusing her practice on tortious claims and family and domestic relations matters. Kim has successfully litigated numerous custody, equitable distribution, and support cases, negotiated complex property settlement agreements, and successfully pursued and defended against various tortious claims including defamation and malicious prosecution. Kim represents clients throughout Northern Virginia in the full range of domestic relations and tort matters. Kim is recognized for her analytical style, attention to detail, and her calm but stern demeanor. Family law cases often involve intense emotional disputes, and she provides competent, effective representation while at the same time...

Natalie King Powell is a proud graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of Mississippi School of Law. She has a passion for helping others which led her to disability law. Natalie is committed to using her wealth of experience to assist her clients in securing the benefits they deserve. Call now to schedule your free consultation.

Ms. Fine has practiced law for 35 years, the last 28 in Virginia. Her business law experience started immediately after graduating from Boston College Law School in 1982 when she worked at a 50-attorney Boston law firm. In 1989 she joined the Costello Dickenson firm in Winchester, Virginia, and in 1990 opened her own firm.

Ms. Fine has extensive practice drafting business contracts, including buy-sell agreements, employment agreements and non-competition agreements, and, balancing that experience, she reviews and litigates contracts drafted by other attorneys.

Her Wills, Trusts and Estates practice involves planning, drafting estate documents and probate litigation.

Her equine practice is an...

Kerri Castellini is primarily a DC-based attorney with a focus on estate and trust administration, guardianship for incapacitated adults and minors, and estate planning. She brings her legal experience to the Trusts and Estates Practice Group and is currently admitted to practice law in Washington DC, Maryland, and before the supreme court. She is passionate about providing a high level of attention to her clients to come up with a plan that is best for their unique circumstances.

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.

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...

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...

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...

I am a senior litigation attorney known for my strategic precision and grounded approach in tackling high-stakes legal issues. My drive is fueled by a commitment to deliver effective, customized solutions that produce tangible results. My knack for blending thorough preparation with inventive problem-solving has established me as a reliable advocate in the courtroom. Before my tenure at BerlikLaw, I was a Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Loudoun County, representing the Commonwealth of Virginia in prosecuting a broad spectrum of felony and misdemeanor offenses. Over my four years as a prosecutor, I handled complex litigation involving vehicular crash data, computer and...

Debbie McIntyre-Yurkovich is a founding partner of McIntyre DeFede Law PLLC. Her clients benefit from her many years of experience and knowledge garnered from prior cases and clients. Ms. McIntyre-Yurkovich has represented individuals in a variety of matters throughout Northern Virginia. Ms. McIntyre-Yurkovich is also the parent of a child with special needs, and she understands the unique circumstances that present legally, economically, and emotionally to parents of special needs children. Ms. McIntyre-Yurkovich is proud that many of her client referrals come from her many satisfied current and past clients. She is equally proud that she...

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...

I practice primarily family law, guiding clients through divorce, custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, and protective orders. Prior to joining The Manassas Law Group, I had the honor of serving as the judicial law clerk to the Honorable Carroll A. Weimer, Jr. in the Prince William Circuit Court. My clerking experience has provided me with intricate knowledge of the court system as well as unique problem solving experience. My approach to family law is to provide clients with the requisite information and guidance to reach a resolution. Family law issues tend to be personal and highly emotional, and I...

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...

Ms. West has tried over 100 personal injury cases in General District Courts and Circuit Courts throughout northern Virginia. Before opening her own firm, Ms. West worked as a trial attorney for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance. She tried an average of 35 cases to verdict or judgment per year and hundreds more that ultimately resolved without trial, all related to personal injury. Ms. West’s work for State Farm gives her tremendous insight into how insurance companies operate and how best to achieve maximum recovery for injured claimants. While studying at George Mason University School...

Mr. Kales is an experienced Fairfax, Va. divorce mediator and collaborative divorce attorney. After practicing family law for years and concluding trials and court serve divorcing spouses poorly, making already difficult cases harder and more painful, Mr. Kales focuses his practice on helping his clients avoid litigation and to reach negotiated separation and divorce settlement agreements and prenuptial agreements. He wishes to provide his clients with the assistance needed to reach optimal solutions for themselves and their families, sympathetically, individually, and cost-effectively.

Mary Ellen Lench is the principal of M.E. Lench, P.C., and her practice is concentrated in estate and trust administration and business planning. Mary Ellen has been in practice for more than 18 years, representing clients in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area, and she focuses on personal service to her clients. She has been teaching estate planning classes through Loudoun County Adult Education for the past eight years and was recently voted among the Legal Elite for Trust/Estate/Elder Law Attorneys by Virginia Business Magazine. Mary Ellen received her J.D. from American University, cum laude, and was Editor of the Law Review. Following...

Camellia Safi is a partner with Safi, Duran & Chim, PLLC, in Fairfax, Virginia. Camellia has over a decade of experience practicing family law in the Northern Virginia area. Camellia understands that good results require compassion, hard work and an ability to connect with the client. Family law is a unique area of law that requires the attorney and the client to be on the same page and have similar values and goals to achieve success. Camellia serves as an advocate for her clients and alleviates their concerns and fears but believes that to achieve the best results, the client...

Attorney Anita Paka primarily practices in Wills and Estates law in Virginia. Anita started her legal career working as a paralegal and law clerk in Virginia, and Washington, DC where she gained insight into the inner workings of the legal system. Subsequently she started her solo practice where she practiced primarily in Estate planning. As a mother of two, Anita understands firsthand the desire of parents to build a secure future for their loved ones. She can customize estate plans and trusts to accommodate special needs, desire, or contingency, including (but not limited to): Special Needs Trust (providing for a family member...

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...

I wrote the book, "The Truth About Bankruptcy in Virginia" as a consumer guide to the very basics of bankruptcy, and to assist people with making informed choices about their financial future. Many people who would benefit from filing choose not to because of preconceived notions or bad advice. The book recently received the Literary Distinction Award for Literary Excellence and was featured on the cover of Attorney Magazine. Whether you are an attorney or a potential client, call our offices to get your questions answered. We are always looking for a new one!

James M. Johnson graduated from James Madison University in with degrees in Biology and Economics. He received his Juris Doctor from the George Mason School of Law. James Johnson has worked at the outstanding law firms of Pfitzner & Morley, Johnson Ford Law, and now he is the managing attorney at the Johnson Law Firm, PC. He is admitted to practice in all Virginia courts, as well as the Federal and Bankruptcy courts of the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia.

Justin Ervin is a Virginia criminal defense attorney based in Alexandria, Virginia, and he is a founding partner of Ervin Kibria PLLC. Justin graduated from the George Mason University School of Law in May 2010, and he was admitted the Virginia bar the same year. Throughout law school, Justin worked full-time as a law clerk for the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (‘PDS’), personally representing hundreds of inmates of DC Jail during their disciplinary hearings. Justin also worked with the PDS staff attorneys to represent clients in a wide-range of cases,...

Michael Sandler has been practicing bankruptcy law for over 20 years and has successfully represented thousands of clients in his legal career. Mr. Sandler received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from The George Washington University in 1989, and his Juris Doctor from George Mason University in 1999. He is admitted to the Virginia Bar and all Virginia state courts, the Eastern and Western Districts or Virginia Bankruptcy Courts, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit. He is a member of the Northern Virginia Bank...

As a first generation American, Attorney Beeraj Patel understands firsthand through life experience the struggles of all those who are entangled at any stage of the immigration process. He knows how difficult it can be for talented individuals coming from other nations to negotiate through the complicated and even daunting immigration system of the United States. This shared connection aids Beeraj in constantly improving his services as an immigration attorney. In addition to being an attorney, Mr. Patel is the featured writer on www.fairfaximmigrationfirm.com and www.fairfaxbankruptcylaw.com, where he blogs about immigration and bankruptcy law respectively. Beeraj Patel’s philosophy...

Fairfax Family Law Attorney
Whatever challenges you face, know that you are not alone and that you will get through this. How do I know? Because I have helped hundreds of people do just that.
My name is Rob Worster and I provide hope, peace, clarity and reason to those going through divorce, custody, support, abuse, addiction and related family law issues.
Having experienced divorce personally, I know that managing the emotional roller coaster is not always easy. It is normal to have many questions and to sometimes not even know where to start. If that sounds familiar, you may be in the...