Carson Business Lawyers

I help employees with important career choices. I guide them through employment offers as well as separation agreements and releases, non-competes, non-solicitations, and other restrictive covenants. If you are transitioning employment, I work with you to protect your rights and your future.

I also help entrepreneurs start, grow, and protect their businesses. Forming a company begins long before filing paperwork with a state agency. Owners need to understand their initial operations, and have a plan for growth. I guide business clients through that critical process.

I advise on entity type and draft organic documents, such as operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and bylaws....

JD is an associate attorney at Cook Craig & Francuzenko, PLLC. JD joined Cook Craig & Francuzenko after previously working for Stern & Eisenberg. JD concentrates his practice on constitutional rights, civil rights, business, and commercial law. JDis licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia. He is a member of the Virginia Bar Association, Fairfax Bar Association and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. JD appears primarily in the Ciricuit and General District courts of Northern Virginia. JD obtained his Bachelors of Science in Political Science from University of Maryland Global Campus, while living in the...

I began my legal career with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General before transitioning to private practice. Having worked in both the public and private sector, I have accumulated experience and knowledge that has proved invaluable. In my practice, I focus on business litigation. My experience spans all aspects of business law, from complex immigration cases, corporate regulations, small business growth strategy, and more. I previously served as Chair of the D.C. Bar Trial Practice Subcommittee and written for the Journal of Intellectual Property Law and Practice published by Oxford University Press.

Founded in 2015 by managing partner Glenn B. Manishin, ParadigmShift Law LLP represents the premiere application of Internet technology to the practice of sophisticated business law. In today’s complex environment, validating business models and navigating the labyrinth of regulatory barriers impacting innovation takes a lawyer who can see an issue from all angles and understands the bigger business picture. Our focus is on expertise, not legalese. On demand, real-time advice is our watchword — no "it depends" or memos here. We bleed for our clients and we love startups!

Jake is an associate attorney at Gentry Locke, one of Virginia's oldest and largest law firms. His practice focuses on intellectual property, technology law, media/entertainment, mergers & acquisitions, and other commercial transactions. Jake has extensive experience with all aspects of intellectual property, technology-based contracting, IP licensing deals, and other related commercial transactions. He has also litigated intellectual property cases in various federal courts across the country and has registered countless trademarks and copyrights. Jake's scholarship has been published by the peer-reviewed American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal, the Trademark Lawyer Magazine, and the Liberty University Law Review, where he...

Stephen is a member of the corporate and litigation practice at Croessmann & Westberg, focusing on construction disputes, real estate transactions, and mergers and acquisitions. Stephen has extensive experience defending and representing construction clients in matters before the court in the State of Maryland, District of Columbia, and U.S. District for the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia. In addition, Stephen has experience representing construction clients before the American Arbitration Association and other means of dispute resolution. Stephen also represents construction and real estate clients in business contracts, mergers and acquisitions, formation, and employment matters. Throughout his career, Stephen has...

Jeremie is a trial attorney that has over 11 years of experience. He has successfully managed numerous cases at all stages of litigation, including multiple jury trials. His current practice focuses on construction law and contract disputes. Jeremie utilizes clear communication and storytelling to effectively help clients with their goals. Jeremie also has a background in investigations and uses those skills to leverage favorable outcomes for his clients. Having conducted hundreds of interviews and testifying in court many times himself, he understands the anxiety that clients experience with testifying and is able to help them prepare for the challenge. Jeremie has...

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...

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.

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...

The Higgs Law Firm provides legal assistance to businesses and individuals throughout Virginia and nationwide in: Administrative Law; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Banking; Mortgages and Equity Financing; Bankruptcy (Creditors only); Business & Commercial Law; Civil Litigation; Corporations, Partnerships, L.C.C.s and other Entities; Creditors' Rights and Commercial Collections; Foreclosures; Lease Enforcement; Litigation; Real Estate; and Wills, Trusts and Estates. Bankruptcy practice limited to representing creditors. *The American Board of Certification is accredited by the American Bar Association to certify lawyers in the areas of bankruptcy law and creditors' right law. There is no procedure in the Commonwealth of Virginia for approving certifying...

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...

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...

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...

Katherin is a member of the Croessmann and Westberg's transactional practice and focuses on estate planning, construction, and business. She assists clients with the creation and integration of their estate plan with their business succession planning, construction contract compliance with mandatory requirements, and various business matters such as buy-outs and employment issues.

Glenn is an experienced trial attorney who has represented clients in a wide variety of civil disputes, with a concentration in real estate, construction and commercial litigation. Since 1991, Glenn has represented individuals, local and international businesses, foreign corporations and local governments in disputes involving breach of contract, construction defect, creditors rights, foreclosure, premises liability, personal injury, commercial landlord-tenant, professional negligence, title defect and fraud. Glenn's experience encompasses all aspects of civil litigation, including first-chairing trials, arbitrations and appeals. His experience includes winning and collecting multi-million dollar judgment (including attorneys' fees award) in a 5-day trial involving allegations of fraud and...

Admitted to practice law in Virginia in 1998, Mel brings a wealth of litigation experience to clients that includes practice as a prosecutor and working for insurance companies defending lawsuits, to include defending government officials charged with misconduct and violations of civil rights. Now he represents persons and small businesses in litigation arising out of serious personal injury, employment disputes, and employment and administrative/governmental grievances, such as professional discipline. Mel received his Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, from Bridgewater College of Virginia in 1995, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Philosophy/Religion. In 1998,...

James leads the Litigation Division of Croessmann & Westberg. He is a trial and appellate litigator handling a wide variety of civil cases in the state and federal courts of Virginia, D.C., and Maryland, ranging from contract disputes to real property claims, construction matters, and collections. At previous firms he litigated cases involving medical and legal malpractice, personal injury, insurance defense, and other areas of law. He has also successfully arbitrated and mediated numerous civil matters. James is also a longtime member of the Fairfax Bar Association’s Circuit Court and CLE Committees. He has organized and moderated dozens of continuing legal...

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...

Nicholas is a member of Croessmann & Westberg's litigation practice, that focuses on business, commercial, and construction litigation. Nicholas began his legal career working at a plaintiff's employment litigation firm in Bethesda, Maryland, where he focused on employment discrimination, retaliation, and unpaid commissions related matters.

I am a solutions-oriented, service provider with a background in real estate and business law. Prior to law school, I worked in real estate sales, property management, and investments. Throughout law school, my focus was on real estate and business. As a legal professional, I have held positions as an attorney providing services to the low-income and as a judicial law clerk working for a trial court judge providing research, legal drafts, and recommendations. Now, as a legal professional at Woehrle Dahlberg Jones Yao, I supplement my knowledge and experience with those in the firm to...

Skilled trial lawyer. ...

C. Douglas Welty, a full-time trusts & estates attorney, is certified as an Estate Planning Law Specialist by the Estate Law Specialist Board, an autonomous body accredited by the American Bar Association and affiliated with the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. He was the first estate planning attorney in Northern Virginia to earn such certification.

Doug Welty also holds the multidisciplinary Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) designation, which is conferred by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils upon both estate planning attorneys and highly experienced non-attorney estate planning professionals (such as certified public accountants, financial planners, insurance specialists,...

After passing the Virginia State Bar, Mr. Kondori became an associate attorney at Pikrallidas & Associates, involved with all types of cases, ranging from personal injury, divorce and family law, contract review & consulting, the ever changing immigration field, as well as civil and traffic matters. Kia aims to continue representing his clients to the best of his abilities as one of the founding attorney's at Kondori & Moorad, LLP. Currently, Mr. Kondori, handles various matters related to real estate, estate planning, business law, landlord & tenant law and medical and dental practice sale and acquisition. Mr. Kondori is a...

Jeffrey Rhodes is an accomplished civil litigator, and a leading business and employment lawyer. In his many years of practice, Mr. Rhodes has litigated in courts around the country. Mr. Rhodes advises companies and executives, representing them in structuring, drafting, and defending their corporate transactions to help accomplish their business goals. Mr. Rhodes has effectively defended multi-million dollar claims and has also has obtained a multi-million dollar verdict on the plaintiff's side. He has litigated matters in all areas of civil, commercial and employment law, including: •contract disputes; •enforcement and defense...

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...

Attorney

Neil is a member of Croessmann & Westberg's litigation practice, and focuses on business, commercial, and construction litigation. Neil represents construction clients, businesses, business owners, and shareholders in contractual, commercial, and derivative disputes. He has litigated cases in both state and federal courts. In addition, Neil has also represented clients in matters involving lien enforcement, tax defense, secured transactions, negotiable instruments, and business torts. Prior to joining Croessmann & Westberg, Neil started his legal career at the U.S. Department of Justice and subsequently practiced as an associate at a business litigation firm in Alexandria, Virginia.

Since 2007, Paul has represented clients in various roles in the construction industry including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and sureties. His experience involves disputes on both public and private construction projects with amounts in controversy in excess of ten million dollars. He has first-chair experience in both trials and arbitrations including a two-week arbitration resulting in a seven-figure award in favor of his client plus a sizable award of attorneys’ fees. He has experience handling complex change order and claim disputes including substantial delay claims involving critical path analysis. As lead counsel, Paul has also prevailed on appeal and...

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...

Accomplished real estate and business attorney with over twenty years of experience. Martindale-Hubbell "AV" (Preeminent) rated. Northern Virginia Magazine "Top Lawyer". Focus on Commercial Real Estate, Business Law, Land Development, Transactions, and Land Use

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.

George Hawkins focuses his practice on business representation, civil litigation, and all matters affecting real estate. He represents buyers, sellers, and developers in all phases of residential and commercial real estate transactions. He also advises and counsels businesses in all aspects ranging from the formation, acquisition, and management of the business entity. George is AV®-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer-Review Ratings, the highest rating available for excellence in legal ethics and practice. George has served on NVAR’s standard forms committee since 2011 and is the 2015 Chair of that committee. He is often asked to speak to members of the real...

Wayne M. Zell, Esq. is the founder of Zell Law. He has spent his legal, public accounting and business advisory career counseling clients in a broad range of industries, including technology companies of all types and investor groups, as well as non-profit organizations. His clients also include for-profit and non-profit executives, service providers and high-net worth individuals.

Mr. Zell has extensive experience in representing clients in complex estate planning and business planning matters. In estate planning matters, Mr. Zell routinely advises clients in structuring and preparing intricate revocable and irrevocable trusts, basic estate planning (i.w., wills, medical directives and powers...

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,...

I have over 35 years of experience representing Virginia clients in medical malpractice, long-term care litigation, serious personal injury litigation, and complex commercial litigation. In my practice I have represented individuals and businesses throughout Virginia, including in state and federal court.