Norfolk Lawyers

I am Stephen P. Pfeiffer, widely recognized as the “Go-To-DUI and Criminal Defense Attorney.” I am a partner at Wolcott Rivers Gates, which stands as one of the oldest and largest law firms in Virginia Beach. My insights have been published in the “Inside the Minds” series by Aspatore Books, specifically in the volume titled "The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases," where I contributed as a coauthor. I hold certifications as an instructor for Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and in Advanced Roadside Impairment Driving Enforcement, which equip me to handle DUI cases with a high level of proficiency. My...

Brian M. Latuga specializes in Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation across State and Federal courts. As a seasoned trial attorney, his career is marked by relentless advocacy in the courtroom to safeguard the liberty, rights, and family unity of those under serious allegations by the government or individuals. Mr. Latuga's practice spans a comprehensive range of charges, including misdemeanors, felonies, white-collar crimes, sex offenses, drug trafficking, and violent crimes. His prowess is recognized across Federal, General District, Juvenile, Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts in the Commonwealth, attesting to his reputation and expertise. Mr. Latuga's legal acumen is rooted in real-world experience,...

James E. Short is a skilled lawyer who has over 30 years of experience. His practice is focused on a wide range of misdemeanor and felony criminal cases as well as DUI defense, family law and personal injury. As a former prosecutor, James E. Short, provides a unique perspective to assess your legal needs. He is committed to providing the highest level of service at an affordable price and fighting for the rights of his client. His successful track record has earned him the recognition of his colleagues and clients alike. Please call the office at 757-410-5042 to...

Ed has practiced law since 2004, when he graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law. Ed spent the early part of his career practicing criminal law, including service as a Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Virginia Beach, where he handled serious criminal prosecutions, including homicide. After leaving prosecution, Ed began practicing plaintiff’s personal injury and medical malpractice law. He believes that, while it is impossible to alter what happened to cause an injury, it is possible to improve a client’s life by obtaining the maximum settlement or verdict. Ed now dedicates his practice exclusively...

Brandon Zeigler is one of the top-rated Family Law and Small Business attorneys in Virginia Beach, VA. Brandon is focused on providing exceptional, quality legal representation to individuals, families and businesses. The backbone of the American economy is small business. As a principal at Parks Zeigler, PLLC, he is extremely passionate about this area of law. As the owner of three small businesses, he knows first-hand the issues that need to be addressed in forming and running a company. He enjoys working with small business owners to ensure they have the correct documents, contracts, leases,...

Caryn was born and raised outside Buffalo, New York. Caryn’s first love and passion is reading and writing, which naturally led to a career in law. She attended the State University of New York at Geneseo, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in Philosophy and English. From Geneseo, she moved South for warmer weather and attended Washington and Lee School of Law in Lexington, Virginia, graduating cum laude in 2002. During law school, Caryn was a member of the Editorial Board of the Washington and Lee Law Review.

Having visited her aunt...

Gilbert Carey is an attorney and certified public accountant with the McDowell Law Group. He practices in the areas of Taxation, Tax Resolution and Controversy and Estate Planning, solving tax, business, and legal challenges for individuals, privately held businesses and their owners. He has an Avvo rating of 10 (Superb) and has been recognized as a Top Lawyer of Coastal Virginia by Coastal Virginia Magazine. Mr. Carey regularly advises clients on tax matters and represents clients in tax disputes with the IRS, state tax agencies and in U.S. Tax Court. He provides income tax planning and compliance advice to individuals, trusts,...

Dominic P. Lascara is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia. He graduated in 1986 from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary after receiving his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, in Business Administration in 1981 from Old Dominion University. Dominic P. Lascara joined the law firm of Roy, Forehand, Laine and Dale, P.C. as an associate in the fall of 1986 after being admitted to the Virginia State Bar. He was admitted to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in 1987. He became a partner...

Letha Sgritta McDowell is a highly accomplished attorney and shareholder at McDowell Law Group, specializing in various areas of elder law, including estate planning, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection planning, long-term care planning, personal injury settlement consulting, guardianships & conservatorships, and tax law. Her expertise ranges from assisting clients with complex estate planning for high-net-worth individuals with assets over $75 million to developing simple plans for families with limited assets. Ms. McDowell has a distinguished professional background. She served as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a notable position within the field....

Taite has devoted his entire legal career to the practice of criminal defense. Prior to co-founding Westendorf & Khalaf, Taite worked as a supervising attorney in the largest Public Defender's office in the state (Virginia Beach). His career has been defined by taking on a variety of tough high stakes cases. In a state where a fraction of felony cases go to trial (and less than 1% go to jury trial), Taite has taken over one hundred felony cases to trial and has won not guilty verdicts following jury trials for murder, rape, robbery, abduction, use of a...

The son of a government official, Andy grew up in various parts of the country, including Ohio, Colorado, and Texas. He attended the College of William and Mary and graduated in 1988 with a B.A. with honors in Government. Andy then went to the University of Richmond Law School, obtaining his J.D. in 1991. While in law school, he won the moot court competition, the trial competition (twice), and the writing competition. After passing the Virginia bar exam in 1991, Andy worked in one of the largest law firms in the country in its Norfolk office, primarily defending large...

Aaron Pomeranz is a Virginia criminal defense attorney at Parks Zeigler, PLLC who formerly served with the Norfolk Police Department for almost 25 years. He brings unique knowledge and insight into how law enforcement and prosecutors build a case against his clients.

While Shelly has had great success with her own law firm, the opportunity to become the Manager Partner of a Chesapeake office for Parks Zeigler was enticing. The merging of the two firms allows Shelly to offer a wide variety of services to her clients while maintaining her Chesapeake roots. She is looking forward to many more years of successful practice with Parks Zeigler.

Shelly attended Regent University School of Law and graduated in 2001. In law school, she competed on the mock trial team and served as an officer for the American Bar Association. In her third year, Shelly...

I work as a principal attorney at Poole Brooke Plumlee PC. I have a passion for helping people navigate the most challenging family situations they have ever faced in their lifetimes, whether that includes a divorce, a child custody dispute, or other family law matter. Each case is unique and deserves a specialized plan. When I meet with clients, I help them set reasonable goals and formulate a strategy and roadmap that we can follow together to maximize the chance of achieving those goals. I take pride in being accessible to my clients and keeping them informed about...

At 7 Cities Law I specialize in Criminal Defense and Juvenile Law. I started my legal career eight years ago as a prosecutor in Virginia Beach where I tried hundreds of criminal cases. My experience extends from the most serious of violent felonies like Murder or Sexual Assault to misdemeanors such as Traffic Offenses, Domestic Violence and School Disciplinary Hearings. I was recently selected by the National Trial Lawyers as one of their Top 40 Under 40. I pride myself on being prepared and working with my clients as a team to get the best result in our...

As a current firm shareholder for Pender and Coward, P.C., the scope of James T. Lang's practice is in environmental law with an emphasis on counseling residential and commercial waterfront property owners. Additionally Mr. Lang has extensive experience representing business clients in a variety of corporate matters that have become long time clients entrusting him with all of their legal needs. Before joining the firm in 2005, Mr Lang enjoyed a 25-year career in the navy starting as an E-1 Fireman Recruit and finishing as an O-5 Commander, including 16 years as a U.S. Navy JAG Attorney.

As a child of immigrants, Atty. Kima, have developed a deep-rooted passion for Immigration Law. Her motivation stems from a heartfelt desire to reunite families and help them stay together, regardless of their origins or backgrounds. At Kima & Associates, the practice, is focused on building strong relationships and networks with other professionals to enhance client satisfaction. She is committed to providing top-tier service, always willing to go the extra mile to assist and satisfy all clients. With over 40 years of experience, Atty Kima has dedicated countless hours to working with individuals, families, businesses, and communities as a whole. Her...

Attorney Jason Swango, founder of The Firm For Men, is a leader in the law arena, representing men exclusively in all family law matters including divorce, custody, support, post-divorce, and more. As a former military servicemember, Attorney Swango understands the intricacies of military family law, earning a reputation in Hampton Roads as the go-to attorney for active duty and former military.

Andrew H. “Andy” Hook is the president of Hook Law Center, where he practices in the areas of elder law, estate and trust administration, estate, tax, retirement and financial planning, long-term care planning, asset protection planning, special needs planning, business succession planning and personal injury settlement consulting. A 1975 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Mr. Hook is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Mr. Hook is certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law...

Mark L. Stevenson is a skilled attorney and short-sale negotiator barred in Virginia , North Carolina, and Michigan. Currently, his practice focuses on Real Estate, Estate Planning, and Business matters on the Peninsula.

Prior to joining Hanger Law, he spent three years processing and successfully negotiating short sales in some of the hardest hit regions of Michigan, including Flint and metro Detroit. Mark prides himself on facilitating deals with multiple parties to achieve positive results for clients.

A local, Mark graduated from Tallwood High School and went on to get a B.S. in Chemistry at Old Dominion University, graduating cum laude, and...

Sean provides legal counsel to clients when they have a need for guidance on any matters involving Real Estate, Estate Planning, or Business Structuring. He works closely with clients to understand the unique issues they are facing and to customize a solution for their individual needs. Prior to joining Hanger Law, Sean was a commercial real estate broker and specialized in negotiating leases and purchase contracts for retail developments and Class A office space. With nearly a decade of real estate experience as a REALTOR®, Sean brings to Hanger Law his extensive real estate knowledge and unique perspective on the...

Prior to practicing law, I spent a considerable amount of time oversea in my former career as a CIA Operations Officer. After law school I practiced bankruptcy law in the Central District of California, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Divisions. In 2003, I returned to my native state of Virginia and established the Merna Law Group. Since the founding of the firm we have won over 35 awards for customer service, good work, and other accolades. Over my more than 25 years of bankruptcy practice, myself and my attorneys have filed over 10,000 successful cases. PHONE CONSULT AVAILABLE. We...

Brian Boys brings his professionalism and significant legal skills to his clients and our community. Brian’s primary practice areas include Elder Law, Estate Planning, Estate and Trust Administration, Guardianships and Conservatorships, Special Needs Planning, and Personal Injury Settlement Consulting and Litigation in support of each of these areas. Brian is also qualified to serve as a guardian ad litem for incapacitated adults.

Jason was raised in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake and attended Great Bridge High School. After graduation he went to Old Dominion University, getting a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Following college, in 1994 Jason began working as a Deputy at the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office. In 1997 he decided to attend law school and graduated in 2000 from The University of South Dakota Law School. Returning home, Jason’s first job in the legal field was for the Virginia Legal Aid Society in Suffolk, where his practice focused on landlord/ tenant issues and disability claims. He went on to the Chesapeake...

Hugo’s passion for immigration law stems from his own family’s immigration experience. His father and mother came to the United States from Peru fleeing political persecution, and as he grew up, Hugo spent many summers in Peru. Hugo uses his experience growing up in an immigrant family and time abroad to understand the conditions where his clients or their employees may have come from and the challenges they face when they come to the United States. He uses this understanding to provide better service to his clients.

He has served the immigrant community through the practice of law since 2005. He...

I have an extensive litigation practice with a focus on state and federal court litigation in the practice areas of personal injury, Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA); automobile, motorcycle & trucking accidents; wrongful death; medical malpractice; and employment.

LeeAnne was born and raised in Williamsburg, Virginia. She attended Virginia Tech, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a minor in Psychology. LeeAnne is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. After undergrad, LeeAnne returned to her hometown to attend William & Mary Law School. During law school, she was an Articles Editor for the Business Law Review and a member of the Moot Court team. LeeAnne began her legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable T.J. Hauler, Chief Judge of the Chesterfield Circuit Court. Following her clerkship, she...

Jerrell R. Johnson is a Virginia Beach criminal defense attorney who formerly served as a police officer for more than 15 years. He brings invaluable insight into how law enforcement and prosecutors build a case against his clients, and he can proactively prepare the strongest possible defense. Included in The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, he is well-respected in the community for his skilled service and proven results in criminal and juvenile defense. Known for compassionate guidance, he was also voted the winner of the 2015 Avvo Clients’ Choice Award in Criminal Defense. Call today to learn more!

Tatiana Mendez is an attorney in Virginia whose practice focuses primarily on immigration, family, criminal, and traffic cases. Mendez began her legal career as an intern for the Federal Public Defender's Office in Norfolk where she assisted in the defense of a variety of clients and conducted interviews in Spanish. Since then she has practiced law all over Hampton Roads and gained experience in a wide variety of cases. In addition to her legal experience, Ms. Mendez is fluent in Spanish and earned a top score on the International Fluency Exam for Spanish Translators.

Thoman Law, P.L.L.C is a boutique law firm, headed by an experienced former prosecutor, that focuses on Criminal Defense, Traffic Defense, DUI Defense, Divorce, Child Custody, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Medical Directives, Adoption, Personal Injury, and General Civil Litigation cases. The mission of the firm is to provide the best possible representation and service for our CLIENTS. Great customer service, flexible office hours, and payments plans are always available. Call for a free consultation! 757-447-4090 Managing Partner, Brian Thoman began practicing law in the Hampton Roads area after earning his law degree from the Regent University School of Law in 2006....

Jeana P. McMurray is an experienced litigator with a strong background in matters of real estate, title, foreclosure, landlord tenant, collections, contracts, wills, estates, and business disputes. Jeana prides herself on being able to swiftly resolve matters for her clients using both alternative dispute resolution and tactful litigation when the situation calls for it.

Jeana has been in private practice representing homeowners, mortgage lenders, loan servicers, banks, landlords, business owners, and families since 2012 and has handled matters ranging from complex mortgage disputes to simple will or deed drafting. Jeana takes a personal interest in each of her clients ensuring...

Unlike most attorneys, Hunter Hanger entered the legal field to be around people. His primary motivator is to see clients empowered through understanding, and protected by an assertive legal advocate.

Prior to practicing law, he worked in DC on Capitol Hill and in Real Estate in Los Angeles, CA. A natural activator, Hunter works tirelessly to get transactions moved to closing in a timely and exact manner.

Entering Real Estate Law during a significant market downturn, Hunter cut his teeth negotiating short sale deficiencies against Big Banks. The key to success requires skilled navigation of large bureaucracies and mastery of the...

Chris is a seasoned business attorney and litigator with experience helping businesses in both private practice and as a Corporate Counsel to a large franchisor with over 4,000 franchisees internationally.
Chris has handled commercial disputes for clients in state and federal courts around the country in matters ranging from basic contract disputes to multi-million dollar “bet the company” lawsuits. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was the C.I.O. for an Internet Service Provider in Buffalo, NY.
Chris teaches as a adjunct professor at Regent University.
Chris was named a 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 ‘Rising Star’ by Super Lawyers magazine, a distinction received...

With more than a quarter century of experience as a trial attorney, David Allmond has broad legal skills. He helps his Virginia clients with personal injury cases, such as auto accidents, medical malpractice, slip-and-fall injuries and dog bites. He defends clients charged with criminal offenses ranging from misdemeanors to DUI, drug, rape and murder charges. David also handles some family law, trusts and estates, medical license suspension, and guardian cases.

Skilled trial attorney. David bases his practice on hard work (often on nights and weekends), respect for his clients and their pocketbooks, and always putting the best interests of his clients...

Husband, father, and Christian. My firm handles estate planning and elder law throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Before practicing as an attorney, I worked in greater Boston, MA and in Washington, DC in certified public accounting firms and currently hold my CPA license. I joined my law firm in 1998 and have been practicing and advising business owners and individuals ever since. In 2015, I graduated from the University of Alabama with my Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Business Transactions. In 2018, I became certified as an exit planning advisor by the Exit Planning Institute to better serve and assist my business clients.

I focus my practice areas in working with business owners and their advisors...

My name is Matthew Barbero and I'm a criminal defense and traffic attorney and I am also the owner of Legal Defense Center, a criminal and traffic law firm located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I grew up in Westchester, New York. I used to regularly do stand up comedy while I was living in New York. I also used to do comedic acting and improv as well as script writing. I am a fantastic public speaker and orator. I was very good at chess when I was younger and I got a job as a chess tutor when I was...

ANNA ERNEST, the proud owner of Ernest Law Group PLC, is a highly sought-after and recognized advocate. She represents Clients in complex matters in the family law, personal injury, and immigration. She has extensive courtroom experience in federal and state litigation. Ms. Ernest is regarded as a determined, assertive, innovative, and client-dedicated attorney. For her substantial accomplishments, Ms. Ernest has been consistently voted by her peers as a “Super Lawyer,” named “Virginia’s Legal Elite,” recognized as a “Top Lawyer” by Coastal Virginia Magazine, selected to the list of “Top 40 Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers, received...

Attorney with nearly 20 years of experience in military, family, criminal and divorce issues.

Former JAG