Harrisonburg Family Lawyers

Mary A. Napier, Esquire grew up in Hanover County, and is currently residing in Richmond, Virginia. She graduated with majors in psychology and justice studies from James Madison University before obtaining her juris doctor from Charleston School of Law in South Carolina.

Following law school, she began her career at the law firm of Cravens & Noll, P.C.—a general practice firm with offices in Chesterfield, Henrico and Colonial Heights, Virginia. Mary’s practice is devoted to family law and domestic relations (divorce, adoptions, custody and support).

Mary is an active member of the Virginia State Bar, and maintains an active role with...

Brianna Salerno is a lead senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. Ms. Salerno works in the firm’s office in Arlington, and represents clients in Arlington, Alexandria and all across Northern Virginia. An attorney since 2010, Ms. Salerno has litigated every type of family law case in the courts of Northern Virginia, including divorce, custody, support and high value equitable distribution cases. She also is one of the firm’s leading authorities on the division of federal or military retirement benefits in divorce. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Salerno graduated magna cum laude from The George Washington University...

John Whitbeck is the founder and partner of WhitbeckBennett. His practice focuses on family law, more specifically divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, domestic violence and protective orders, adoption, special education law, and mental health law.

He is a professor of law at George Mason University Law School, and the former Director of the George Mason University Law and Mental Illness Clinic.

John uses his expert knowledge of the law to advocate for his clients and their families.

Experienced Divorce Attorney and Mediator

Sarah Haight 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. Haight works in the firm’s Fairfax office, and represents clients in Fairfax County and all across Northern Virginia. Ms. Haight earned her law degree from The Pennsylvania State University in 2014, after graduating from Purdue University in 2011. She was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 2014 and the Virginia Bar in 2016. Ms. Haight began her legal career by working as an Assistant District Attorney in Lancaster...

Adriana was born and raised in New York, and attended both college and law school in Washington, D.C. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs, Philosophy, and Political Science from The George Washington University in 2009, and her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in 2013.

Throughout law school, Adriana worked for various nonprofit organizations in Virginia and Washington, D.C., focusing on immigration issues related to domestic violence victims, victims of crime, children, and family matters.

Upon graduation, Adriana moved to Virginia where she earned her license to...

Kate Beurmann-O'Neill is an associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. She works in the firm’s Manassas office, and represents clients throughout Manassas and Prince William County. An attorney for 19 years, Ms. Beurmann-O'Neill began her legal career by working as an estate planning attorney at a law firm in Fairfax from 2004–2006. She then worked as an attorney in the health care field for almost 15 years, at companies based in Virginia, Tennessee and then Florida. In 2021, Ms. Beurmann-O'Neill began practicing exclusively family law, at a law firm in Manassas. She then joined Livesay...

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,...

Amanda Kimble is a lead senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. Ms. Kimble works in the firm’s Fairfax office, and represents clients in Fairfax County and all across Northern Virginia. An attorney since 2007, Ms. Kimble is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, equitable distribution, adoption, custody, visitation and support cases. Ms. Kimble tirelessly pursues the best possible results for each client, either through negotiation or, where necessary, trial. She is well known for her commanding presence in the courtroom. Ms. Kimble’s proactive litigation style, work ethic and sharp...

Jonathan McHugh is a lead senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. He is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including high asset divorce cases. Mr. McHugh works in the firm’s offices in Manassas and Arlington, and represents clients all across Northern Virginia. As one of the leading military divorce lawyers in the firm, Mr. McHugh is intimately familiar with issues of military retirement, the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act, the Survivor Benefit Plan, disability pay, and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Mr. McHugh is also experienced in the division...

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...

I represent clients primarily in Family Law matters such as divorce, custody, visitation, spousal and child support, protective orders and the drafting of property settlement agreements.

Having witnessed my own parents’ divorce in my late teens, I have a unique perspective and experience that I am able to provide to my clients. I enjoy being able to counsel them through tough life transitions. Family law issues are some of the most difficult legal issues a person can face and I believe that it is important to treat every person and situation with respect. I am able to listen to my clients...

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...

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...

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).

Sarah Patras is a senior associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C. She practices exclusively family law, representing clients in separation, divorce, custody, visitation and support cases, including a large number of contested cases. Ms. Patras works in the firm’s Fredericksburg-Stafford office, and represents clients in Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and surrounding areas. Born in Nebraska, Ms. Patras grew up in Iowa and earned double B.A. degrees from Iowa State University. She then relocated to Virginia, and graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2016. After law school, Ms. Patras clerked for one year for a Virginia Circuit Court judge,...

I provide diligent, passionate and personalized representation to clients in courts across the Commonwealth of Virginia, including Henrico, Chesterfield, Richmond, Hanover, Powhatan, Louisa, Petersburg and Caroline Counties. I practice in a variety of areas, with a emphasis on Criminal Defense and Family Law. I pride myself on being a dedicated, prepared and successful attorney. I am committed to maintaining close contact with clients, and pursuing the best possible outcomes.

I received my B.A. from Rollins College, and my J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law. My jurisdictions include the State of Virginia and Federal District Court, Eastern District of...

Scott Parker is a senior associate attorney at Kublan Khan PLC., practicing exclusively family law. His practice covers every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody, visitation and support cases. Mr. Parker represents clients in Fairfax County and all across Northern Virginia. Originally from North Carolina, Mr. Parker graduated from North Carolina State University in 2005. He then earned his law degree from Suffolk University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts in 2009, and relocated to Northern Virginia. Mr. Parker practiced law in Fairfax as a solo practitioner from 2009–2015. His practice consisted of litigation–criminal defense at...

Stephen has been licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia since 2010. In 2011, after completing his law degree and passing the bar, Stephen founded Quest Law PLLC, a solo practice, in Richmond, Virginia. Since then, he has been practicing as a litigator in Chesterfield, Henrico, and Richmond City courts. He represents clients who have been charged with a variety of criminal offenses and also handles family legal matters that require litigation. Contact Quest Law PLLC in Midlothian to schedule a meeting with Stephen.

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.

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...

Katie Anderson 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. Anderson works in the firm’s Fairfax office, and represents clients in Fairfax County and all across Northern Virginia. Ms. Anderson graduated magna cum laude from American University Washington College of Law in 2022. While attending law school, she practiced law as a student-attorney in the Gender Justice Clinical Program for which she received the Edward J. Walker Endowed Clinical Scholarship. The award is given to student-attorneys...

Erÿk Mahaffey is an attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. Mr. Mahaffey handles every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Mr. Mahaffey works in the firm’s Fredericksburg-Stafford office, and represents clients in Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and surrounding areas. Mr. Mahaffey earned his law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2008, after graduating cum laude from Salem State University in 2001. An attorney since 2008, Mr. Mahaffey worked at a law firm in Winchester, Virginia from 2008—2010. He then operated his own solo bankruptcy law...

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.

I am a client focused attorney licensed to practice law in Virginia, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I am an advocate, counselor and defender for my clients and I work to achieve the best results for the individuals who entrust their case in my hands. I began my legal career in New Jersey where I served as a Deputy Attorney General for several years; specializing in the area of child protection. After moving to the D.C. metro area I continued my legal career in Washington, D.C. where I worked on large scale...

Sarah Collins is a partner at The Manassas Law Group, P.C., practicing family law and criminal law. She is experienced in handling every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody, and support cases. Ms. Collins represents clients in Manassas, Prince William County, and all across Northern Virginia. Before entering private practice, Ms. Collins served for two years as a law clerk in the Prince William County Circuit Court.

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...

Christian Campbell is an associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. Mr. Campbell handles every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Mr. Campbell earned his J.D. from American University - Washington College of Law in 2021, after graduating cum laude from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015. While attending law school, Mr. Campbell worked as a legal assistant at a law firm in Washington, DC. In that position, he supported attorneys in a wide range of fields, including antitrust, securities regulation, and white collar criminal defense. After law school, Mr. Campbell worked...

Ariel Baniowski is a Junior 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...

Allison Mazzei is an associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. An attorney since 2017, Ms. Mazzei handles every type of family law matter in Virginia, including separation, divorce, custody and support cases. Ms. Mazzei works in the firm’s Fairfax office, and represents clients in Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington and all across Northern Virginia. Ms. Mazzei’s interest in family law began in law school, when she had internships with a DC and Maryland family law judge. After earning her law degree, Ms. Mazzei clerked for another family law judge in DC in 2018. She then spent several years...

Carly Jehlen Hart focuses her practice in the areas of criminal and traffic defense, domestic law, and specializes in domestic abuse/violence. Ms. Jehlen Hart has been practicing law since 2010 and joined the Firm as a Partner in 2019. As a lawyer, Carly appreciates being able to help her clients, and getting to know them, during what is usually a very difficult situation, and the opportunity to advocate for them not just in their litigation, but for them in their lives.
Ms. Jehlen Hart graduated from the University of South Florida with two Bachelors of the Arts degrees in Literature and...

Brenton Bohannon focuses his practice in the areas of Criminal Law, DUI, Traffic Violations, and Family Law. Before joining the firm, Mr. Bohannon served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for New Kent County Virginia, where he prosecuted hundreds of criminal and traffic cases in the Circuit, General District, and the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Courts. His experience as a prosecutor, along with his psychology and education background, provide a unique perspective on how to best represent clients, whether he is defending a criminal case, litigating a contested divorce or resolving a child support issue. Before becoming an attorney,...

Cheryl Watson Smith JD, has been in the private practice of law in Roanoke, Virginia since 1988 and practices in the area of family law, including complex property matters. Through the Collaborative Divorce Process, mediation, and negotiated settlements, she assists families in resolving disputes without going to court.

Ms. Smith is passionate about the Collaborative Divorce Process as an alternative to court battles for families in conflict. She is committed to expanding the use of the Collaborative Divorce Process by developing her own Collaborative Practice skills and training other professionals in the Collaborative Process. Ms. Smith is on the faculty...

Jennifer Williams is an associate attorney at Raheen Family Law, 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. Williams works in the firm’s Ashburn office, and represents clients in Ashburn, Leesburg, Loudoun County, and all across Northern Virginia. Ms. Williams earned her law degree from Regent University Law School in 2007, after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997. Ms. Williams began her legal career as an adjunct professor in Pre-Law at Hampton University in 2007. She then worked as a...

Lindsay Connolly 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. Connolly works in the firm’s Fredericksburg office, and represents clients in Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg and surrounding areas. Originally from Milford, Massachusetts, Ms. Connolly graduated magna cum laude from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. She then earned her law degree from David A. Clarke Law School in Washington, D.C., graduating summa cum laude and the top female in her class. Ms. Connolly was...

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...

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...

Representing individuals and families throughout the Richmond Metropolitan area, including Caroline, Hanover, Henrico, and Chesterfield Counties and the City of Richmond. My practice areas focus on adoption, family law, divorce, support, child custody and visitation, criminal and traffic law.

James Livesay is a founding partner at Livesay & Myers, P.C. He leads the firm's team of family law attorneys across offices in Fairfax, Arlington, Leesburg, Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia.

After graduating from Virginia Tech in 1995 and the University of Virginia School of Law in 1998, Mr. Livesay served three years in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps. He entered civilian practice as a family law attorney in 2001, and joined with partner Kevin Myers to found Livesay & Myers, P.C. in 2003.

Drawing on his experience as a Navy JAG officer, Mr. Livesay established the military divorce section of the firm in 2003...