Birchleaf Lawyers

I represent clients in a variety of legal areas. I regularly represent clients all over the Richmond area and I often travel as far east as Virginia Beach, as far north as Spotsylvania, as far west as Charlottesville and as far South as Dinwiddie. I assist clients with obtaining and defending protective orders, uncontested and contested divorce, spousal support, child custody, visitation and support, pre-nuptial agreements, property settlement agreements, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, criminal defense, business formation and dissolution and general civil litigation.

Justin Criner received his undergraduate degree in Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University where he met his wife and fell in love with Richmond and the surrounding areas. Mr. Criner received his juris doctor from the Appalachian School of Law in 2013 where he was a senior editor of the law journal and the president of the local Lions’ Club. He remains active in the community and can regularly be found at Lions’ Club or VCU athletic events. Before joining our firm, Mr. Criner worked as a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney in Charleston, WV and opened his own practice...

Since 2016, I have been serving as an expert witness and assisting in trials dealing with hazing and Risk Management engendered lawsuits involving fraternities. I have been involved in over 25 matters in the past four years primarily involving hazing and substance abuse related tragedies. I am primarily working on behalf of plaintiffs, but have represented a national fraternity, and two individual defendants.

I am an “anti-hazing and risk management Specialist”. I was the Executive Director of Delta Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity for over 29 years. In such role, I became familiar with just about all conduct by undergraduate young men...

TBA

Ali Aziz is a dedicated immigration attorney who specializes in guiding clients through complex U.S. immigration processes, including family-based visas, employment visas, citizenship matters and much more. With a strong focus on providing personalized legal solutions, Ali has successfully represented clients from diverse backgrounds, helping them navigate the challenges of immigration law with clarity and confidence. Drawing on years of experience, Ali’s practice combines legal acumen with a commitment to client service. Whether assisting individuals seeking asylum, filing petitions for family reunification, or advising on visa options for skilled professionals, Ali approaches each case with a deep understanding of immigration regulations...

West graduated from Randolph-Macon College and received his J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law. He joined Marks & Harrison in 2018 and he currently works in the Chesterfield Office.

William D. Ashwell is a career litigator and advocate who has built a regional and statewide reputation for assisting clients in the most serious of situations and in high profile matters. A native of Warrenton, Mr. Ashwell has solidified himself as a leader in the field of civil and criminal litigation and beyond. A steadfast believer in giving back to the community, Mr. Ashwell balances his time between his family and giving back to the community that he calls home. A graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and the University of Dayton School of Law, Mr. Ashwell serves Northern Virginia, Piedmont region,...

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,...

Steve was part of the National Legal Research Group in Charlottesville where he has practiced since 1999. As a Senior Attorney there, Steve worked with numerous attorneys around the country conducting legal research, writing, and analysis while advising his attorney-clients on a variety of complex subjects. In that capacity, Steve has prepared literally thousands of legal memoranda and appellate briefs, including multiple filings with the Supreme Court of Virginia, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Steve completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia in 1996 and received...

Friedman Law Firm, P.C., specializes in divorce and family law issues. We represent clients across Virginia in the following: Divorce, Custody, Visitation, Child Support, Distribution of Assets and Debts, Spousal Support, Criminal Defense, and Will and Trusts. Call (804) 717-1969 to speak with an attorney today.

Herbert Maxey has been represented individuals injured by others for over 40 years. Let Mr. Maxey's experience work for you if you or a family member have been injured by the negligence of a reckless driver of a car, truck or other vehicle. Mr. Maxey has also represented many families after the loss of a loved one by the careless actions of other drivers.Mr. Maxey has represented clients in: Albemarle County Altavista Amelia County Amherst County Appomattox County Buckingham County Campbell County Charlotte County Charlottesville Cumberland County Farmville Fluvanna County Halifax County Lunenburg County Lynchburg Mecklenburg County...

Since 2002 Clint Sellers has used practical legal advice to protect families and small businesses. He focuses on real estate, civil trials, wills and small business matters and is an authority on the use of estate planning techniques for wealth preservation and succession planning. Clint’s clients range from young families to retirees, professionals, entrepreneurs and estate representatives and beneficiaries. He strives to always deal fairly and help clients resolve disputes without unnecessary expense or litigation. Clint is admitted to practice in all Virginia courts, as well as Federal courts. He regularly appears in District and...

Michael T. Trent is an experienced attorney with an active practice including criminal defense, general civil litigation including personal injury, and estate planning including wills and estates. His love for our Southside Virginia community is deep, with not only his growing up in Charlotte County, but with the vast majority of his family having called all different parts of Southside home. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Lynchburg College, Mike received his Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts. He then decided to come home to Southside, and...

Ward Armstrong has been practicing law for nearly 40 years. Now he and his daughter, Courtney Armstrong, practice together as The Armstrong Law Firm. The Armstrong Law Firm offers representation for cases of all types including criminal defense and drunk driving, personal injury from motor vehicle accidents, divorce and child custody, elder law and estate planning, including wills, and general civil matters. Don’t be strong-armed in the courtroom – hire The Armstrong Law Firm today!

Jennifer devotes herself to the practice of U.S. immigration and nationality law. As an immigration lawyer, she represents clients in a variety of immigration matters - including providing guidance on applying for work authorization, permanent residency, and U.S. citizenship. She also defends individuals in deportation and removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts. As the daughter of an immigrant, her family’s diverse, multicultural heritage inspired her to pursue a profession where she could help others pursue their livelihood in the United States. Jennifer's law firm is based in Roanoke, Virginia where she lives with her husband Rob and...

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.

John E. Lichtenstein is a founding member of Lichtenstein Law Group PLC. Over 28 years of practice, he has tried to verdict and successfully resolved through negotiation hundreds of cases involving severe, life-altering injury and wrongful death. Among Mr. Lichtenstein’s trials and settlements are multiple individual results exceeding one million dollars. He and the firm, along with co-counsel, have secured some of the largest jury verdicts and settlements in Virginia. Mr. Lichtenstein’s injury and wrongful death cases involve defective products, medical malpractice, automobile and tractor- trailer crashes, traumatic brain injury and other settings. Often, his cases concern complex liability and...

Daniel L. Crandall is the founding partner of The Law Offices of Daniel L. Crandall & Associates. He has been engaged in the practice of law since 1979. The focus of his practice is exclusively plaintiff personal injury law . He has become known in Southwest Virginia as the caring personal injury professional. He was privileged to be named twice as the Best Local Lawyer by the readers of The Roanoker Magazine and the Firm has won multiple awards for Best Law Firm by the same publication. He graduated from the University of South Florida in 1973 and from the...

Britt is the Vice President of Schneider & Williams, P.C. Originally from Georgia, she graduated from Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology. Britt then went on to attend Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Virginia. There, Britt chaired as Vice President of the Student Government Association, the Campus Events Organization, and a community service society unique to Sweet Briar. She also enjoyed the opportunity to captain the Women’s Varsity Lacrosse team. Britt graduated Sweet Briar College with a BA in Sociology with a minor in Religion.

Following graduation, Britt attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of...

I have been a practicing trial lawyer since 1985. I founded my firm, Abrams Landau, Ltd., in 1989 in remembrance and honor of my father, Norman J. Landau and grandfather William L Abrams, and their ongoing dedication to serving their clients. Originally located in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, Abrams Landau is now based in the historic district of Herndon, Virginia. Unlike large, sterile and impersonal law firms, we are proud to be housed in a fully accessible, renovated 100-year old home which provides our clients with a comfortable space in which to meet with us. ...

John attended Virginia Tech for his undergraduate degree and The University of Richmond Law School for his Juris Doctor. He is the author of numerous legal publications and is a member of the Hanover Bar Association as well as the Christian Legal Society, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, and the Lewis F. Powell Jr. American Inn of Court. John recently served as General Counsel for the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association which primarily involved lobbying the General Assembly on behalf of personal injury attorneys and their clients.

Vincent J. Mata attended the University of Notre Dame and the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum for undergraduate studies in the classical humanities. He obtained a Master's degree at The Catholic University of America in philosophy, and earned his Juris Doctor at George Mason University School of Law, now Antonin Scalia Law School. Vincent is a founding partner and attorney at Mata & Hill PLC. He focuses his practice primarily on estate and elder law issues. Mata & Hill PLC additionally offers real estate, business, and civil litigation services, and serves clients throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

W. Edward Riley, IV is a trial lawyer. He is admitted to practice law in all state and federal courts in Virginia, and has argued before the Supreme Court of Virginia and the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Riley has dedicated his entire career to successfully practicing criminal and traffic defense.

Mr. Riley has tried over 250 jury trials in federal and state courts across the Commonwealth, holds the highest national legal rating with Martindale Hubbell, and has been recognized by his peers as one of the Legal Elite as published by Virginia Business Magazine, and has...

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...

Attorney Kevin W. Mottley is a Virginia trial lawyer who has dedicated his practice to representing traumatic brain injury ("TBI") victims, as well as other clients who have suffered a catastrophic personal injury. Kevin wrote the book, "Brain Case: The Big 5 Questions to Answer Before Filing Your Brain Injury Case," to help people understand how lawyers look at TBI cases. His focus on representing TBI victims has, thus far, resulted in over $12 million in verdicts and settlements for his clients in mild TBI cases. TBI cases, particularly those involving the so-called “mild” traumatic brain injuries,...

Mary Nerino, a Price Benowitz attorney, is here to help those facing criminal charges in the Fairfax, Virginia, and the northern Virginia area. Mary, originally an elementary school teacher, went back to school and graduated from The Washington and Lee University School of Law. After graduation, Mary worked in Alexandria as an attorney fellow in the office of the Public Defender. Now, she runs her own, private criminal practice and works on cases including: assault, drug crimes, gun charges, theft, and more.

I practice in the areas of family law, guardianships & conservatorships, estate planning, and estate administration. My clients are my first priority and I focus on achieving the best outcome possible for them. I am well-versed in a full range of legal services including litigation, agreements, mediation, and collaborative divorce.

Ethan Bundy is an associate attorney at Livesay & Myers, P.C., practicing exclusively family law. He works in the firm’s offices in Ashburn and Fairfax, and represents clients throughout Loudoun County and Fairfax County. Mr. Bundy graduated from Penn State Dickinson Law School in 2024. After graduation, Mr. Bundy completed a judicial clerkship in Indiana, where he was able to observe and assist with family law court proceedings. Mr. Bundy initially pursued a career in intellectual property law and became a registered patent agent, but soon realized that family law was his legal calling. He joined Livesay & Myers, P.C. in...

Buta Biberaj was born in Montenegro and is of Albanian parentage. She was raised in the Bronx borough of New York City. She graduated from George Mason University with a B.S. in Education in 1987 and received her Juris Doctorate (JD) from the George Mason University School of Law in 1993. Buta is licensed to practice in the State Courts for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland and New York. She is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. Buta’s involvement in the community is evidenced by her participation and service which include being a mentor for...

William "Ben" Mann is an experienced Virginia defense attorney who has devoted his career to protecting the rights of his clients. Mr. Mann has handled a wide variety of criminal case types including felonies, DUI defense, drug cases, assault cases, domestic violence cases, as well as reckless driving cases. Mr. Mann is a member of the State Bar of Virginia and graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2010. Mr. Mann was named a top 100 trial lawyer by National Trial Lawyers in 2014, as well as to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.

Joseph H. Beale has been providing exceptional legal services for individuals and families in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia for more than twenty years. Every client is important and with you he will develop a client centered strategy that fits your unique circumstances in order to meet your goals and achieve the best possible outcome for you in a cost effective, ethical and efficient manner. He believes in building strong and lasting relationships with clients based on trust, open communication and delivering results. He has a solid reputation as a skilled litigator and negotiator, earning a perfect 10...

David has been in practice nearly 25 years, 20 of which were in Ohio before he relocated to Virginia. In his earlier years of private practice, David’s primary focus was business law, criminal law, and consumer law. In 2021, David moved to Virginia and continued his career as a Public Defender serving as Senior Trial Attorney with the Fredericksburg Public Defender. There, he represented clients charged with felony crimes in Stafford County, Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburg. As lead or co-counsel, he has tried over 25 felony jury trials including 7 murder trials to verdict with 2 death penalty trials to...

Nominated Best Advocate in the Student Trial Advocacy Competition (STAC) National Trial Competition, Vance brings both an academic skillset and courtroom training to the firm. Additionally, Vance was part of his law school’s highly competitive Honors Moot Court team, and excelled to the point of being elected to serve on Santa Clara’s Honors Moot Court Board of Directors. Vance also possesses a noteworthy assortment of criminal and civil law expertise via his work at the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, Sunnyvale City Attorney’s Office, and as an Associate for Lexis Nexis Legal Research. A native Texan, Vance sat...

__FORMER POLICE. Aggressive criminal defense and civil trial attorney. Adjunct professor of Law. Former member of the LAPD (Robbery-Homicide), LA County Sheriff's Dept ( Instructor), Fairfax County Police (Patrol Operations), FBI Academy (Instructor). Police trained in DUI tests, interrogations, search & seizure, evidence collection, drug analysis, arrest procedures, and criminal investigation. Over 20 years courtroom experience in law firm of former police, prosecutors and military.attorneys. Defended thousands of clients in DUI, traffic, and criminal cases, including White House personnel, Congressional staff, professional athletes, celebrities, military, doctors, nurses, teachers, students, govt employees, contractors, police, DEA, FBI. CIA, and other lawyers...

Eric Stone Law, PC, serves people in the cities of Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Quantico as well as Stafford County, Prince William County, and Spotsylvania County in Virginia

In total, I spent 35 years in the insurance industry, handling liability claims. Prior to attending law school, I worked as an insurance adjuster and in claims management at GEICO. My positions allowed me the opportunity to learn a great deal about insurance company claims operations and the difficulties that large insurance companies face as well as the biggest hurdles for people who need to make claims. My work led me to attend law school while continuing my career in insurance. Following my graduation, I moved into the position of attorney with the company. Since that time, I have defended...