Topping Divorce Lawyers

STEPHEN V. SOMMERS (licensed in Virginia 1999, Texas (1997), Maryland (1996)), was born at Camp Pendleton, CA, October 4, 1956 and educated at Troy State University (B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1981), Golden Gate University (M.A., 1986) and American University (Juris Doctor, 1995). Mr. Sommers retired from the United States Air Force at the rank of Major after 22 years flying fighter aircraft. Mr. Sommers has been admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Fourth Circuit and the Tenth Circuit and all Virginia Courts. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, the...

Michael graduated from the University of South Carolina Pettigrew School of Law in 1969 with a Juris Doctor. He was a finalist in the Prince Competition, where he demonstrated exceptional ability in appellate advocacy. He was a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Conflicts. While in law school, he was selected by the NAACP to travel to Memphis, Tennessee. There, he helped investigate police brutality in connection with the Memphis riots that followed the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. He was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Among lawyer associations, Michael was admitted to both...

David Hagan is an associate at Friedman, Grimes, Meinken & Leischner PLLC, where he focuses on family law and criminal defense. He handles litigation across all areas of domestic relations, including adoptions, divorce, child custody and support, spousal support, equitable distribution, settlement agreements, property rights, prenuptial agreements, and post-divorce disputes. Additionally, he represents clients in protective order cases and misdemeanor criminal defense matters, such as traffic violations and assault/battery cases. Mr. Hagan also assists with estate litigation and other civil matters. He earned his J.D. from George Mason University School of Law, where he served as a student advisor in the...

"If it's going to be a fight, you need Laura Blair Butler on you side."

Laura Butler is a Charlottesville Trial Lawyer concentrating in Divorce and Family Law. Call today to schedule an initial consultation. She wants to help.

The following comments are from satisfied clients:

"Laura Butler is always prepared. I never saw her surprised in or out of court. She treats all adversaries with respect, and then proceeds to dismantle them. When I saw how well she knew and could quickly recall the details of my case in court, I was amazed."

"Five words: 'I like to be perfect.' These are the...

Hi, I'm Matthew.



I approach the practice of law with a focus on helping my clients understand an often complicated legal system. Working collaboratively allows me to anticipate my clients' needs, while also aiding my clients by providing them an informed view of all the potential dangers and rewards of each unique case. My primary practice areas are Divorce, Child Custody, Trusts & Wills and Bankruptcy. However, I also provide legal support for small businesses looking to incorporate, resolve disputes with employees or review potential contracts and business transactions.

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...

Sonja Aoun represents family law clients in all aspects of separation and divorce, including divorce planning/premarital agreements, collaborative divorces, negotiated settlements, and trials. Her estate planning practice ranges from the preparation of powers of attorney and advance medical directives to wills and complex trusts and special needs planning. Sonja obtained her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center after graduating cum laude with a B.S. in Languages (Spanish) from Georgetown University. Starting in 2014, she has been named to the Virginia SuperLawyers list in the field of family law; she has been listed in the Washington,...

Catherine "Kate" Reese focuses her practice on the full spectrum of family law matters in the Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland regions. She has extensive trial experience in contested divorces, child custody and visitation matters, equitable distribution of assets, child and spousal support, and the negotiation and preparation of prenuptial and marital agreements. When Ms. Reese identifies matters that can be resolved more amicably and without the costs of litigation, she highly recommends alternate dispute resolution options such as mediation, arbitration and collaborative law. Ms. Reese is a Virginia Supreme Court Certified Family Law mediator and an experienced collaborative...

Experienced Divorce Attorney and Mediator