Brightwood Lawyers

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...

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...

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 Kevin Myers is a founding partner at Livesay & Myers, P.C. Along with partner James Livesay, Mr. Myers formed Livesay & Myers, P.C. in 2003, when the firm opened its first office in Woodbridge, Virginia. The firm has grown steadily since, and now encompasses a team of lawyers and paralegals across offices in Fairfax, Arlington, Ashburn, Manassas and Fredericksburg-Stafford, Virginia. Born in Fairfax, Mr. Myers is a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia, and now resides in Fairfax County with his wife.

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...

Alyssa Grzesiak (pronounced “Gray-Shock”) 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. Grzesiak works in the firm’s Ashburn office, and represents clients in Leesburg, Ashburn, Loudoun County, and all across Northern Virginia. Ms. Grzesiak graduated from William & Mary Law School in 2023. During law school, she worked at the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Office, the Virginia Office of the Attorney General and the Human Trafficking Institute. Ms. Grzesiak also held positions as Executive...

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...

Thomas B. Christiano received a B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1993 and a J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary in 1999. Mr. Christiano has handled numerous consumer protection cases and specializes in cases involving inaccurate credit reporting under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. He has reviewed the credit reporting procedure process from the major credit reporting agencies and the dispute investigation procedures of many banks who have furnished inaccurate credit information. As an experienced credit report lawyer, he can identify the actual damages associated with credit report problems, including emotional...

Natalie King Powell is a proud graduate of Vanderbilt University and the University of Mississippi School of Law. She has a passion for helping others which led her to disability law. Natalie is committed to using her wealth of experience to assist her clients in securing the benefits they deserve. Call now to schedule your free consultation.

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.

Attorney Ronald Smith practices in State and Federal Courts in Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudon Counties. At Ronald E. Smith, P.C., our clients benefit from the skill and experience of a team of legal professionals. Whether you are facing DWI (DUI) charges, drug charges or theft charges, a team of at least two attorneys and support staff will combine their efforts to mount a united defense for you. Additionally, our firm is adept at guiding clients through the process of filing for and appealing Social Security Disability claims. If you have concerns regarding Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security...

Sebastian M. Norton, Esq. is an accomplished and aggressive Virginia and D.C. attorney specializing in criminal and juvenile representation as well as drafting wills and trusts and other testamentary documents such as advance medical and power of attorney directives.

Sebastian has represented hundreds of clients in courts in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. including multiple high-level jury and bench trials. Additionally, Sebastian has provided countless Virginia and D.C. clients with necessary, custom-tailored testamentary documents such as wills, trusts, power of attorney and advance medical directives.

Although a native of Alexandria, Virginia, Sebastian completed his studies in philosophy and political science at...

Lisa Mathews is a licensed attorney serving clients throughout northern Virginia. She practices estate planning. Please go to www.mathewslawpllc.com to set up an appointment online. Or call 703-215-2088. Mathews Law is built on the premise that everyone deserves access to a caring, skilled attorney.

Foster Friedman concentrates on planning and controversy matters involving estate and trusts. He has extensive experience advising clients on the transfer of wealth from one generation to another, including the orderly and tax-efficient succession of family-owned businesses, through the preparation and implementation of Wills, Trusts, Family Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies.

Mr. Friedman serves individual clients who seek to transfer assets efficiently to their chosen beneficiaries. As a part of our estate planning services, we also consider the impact of federal income, estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes on the transmission of wealth. We often help our clients achieve tax...

Gretchyn Meinken grew up in a U.S. Army family, living in Germany for the majority of her childhood. She moved to the Washington, D.C. Metro area after completing a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Alabama in 2000. Ms. Meinken now calls Alexandria, Virginia home after residing here since 2001 (her longest stint in any one place).

Ms. Meinken focuses her practice on estate planning and administration, as well as general corporate law and taxation. She represents individuals, estates, trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations.

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

Burke Law, P.L.C. provides its clients with effective legal services as they face their most challenging legal issues. Burke Law counsels government contractors and employees on matters ranging from security clearances eligibility denials to the most basic questions about completing the SF-86. The law practice of Burke Law also defends clients against criminal charges, against asset forfeiture proceedings brought by state and federal law enforcement, and maintains a heavy consumer protection and civil litigation case load in both state and federal court. Clients in all practice areas attest to the prompt, courteous, and professional...

John Kiyonaga has spent the last 30 years successfully defending people accused of all major crimes to include capital murder, espionage and complex fraud. A graduate of Columbia Law School and fluent Spanish speaker, he is rated AV (Preeminent) by Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Kiyonaga has conducted over three dozen jury trials, argued numerous federal and state appeals, successfully petitioned the United States Supreme Court for hearing, and successfully challenged long after the fact, convictions in Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Prior to defending the criminally accused, he practiced with the Wall Street law firm of Brown & Wood and served as a...

Jeffrey Zimmerman has over 25 years of experience representing individuals facing a broad range of criminal charges, from white collar prosecutions to capital cases. Jeff also specializes in defending individuals and entities in civil and criminal forfeiture matters. He is a member of the Virginia and District of Columbia bars and practices in federal trial and appellate courts nationwide. Jeff has been named in the list of preeminent lawyers in the field of criminal defense by Virginia Super Lawyers and as a Top Criminal Defense Lawyer by Northern Virginia Magazine. He is a frequent speaker on forfeiture litigation and federal criminal...

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.

S.L. England, PLLC combines government and private sector experience under one umbrella. Our civil and criminal practices are anchored by the experience of a former Assistant United States Attorney, INTERPOL Fellow, and private practitioner. With the experience of numerous federal and international investigations, as well as represented plaintiffs and defendants in a variety civil actions, S.L. England, PLLC is the firm you want. 95% of attorneys are not trial attorneys. Most have never stepped foot in court to make oral argument before a judge. It makes a big difference: good lawyers must have the ability to argue your case in...

You are your broker-dealer’s or registered investment adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer. You might even be your firm’s entire Compliance Department. It is a tremendous responsibility. The SEC, FINRA and the state regulators have placed significant demands on our industry. You need to help your firm discharge its current obligations and implement the new ones. It makes you feel at times that you are trying to boil away the ocean. Your regulator has just contacted your firm for whatever reason and seeks documents and additional information. You are concerned about what this means and what might happen next. An angry...

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,...

Brandon Sloane is a former prosecutor with over a decade of prosecution experience, and now proudly serving clients charged with criminal offenses throughout the Northern Virginia area including Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William, Loudoun, Fauquier, Stafford, and wherever else you may find yourself. Charges handled include traffic offenses such as speeding and reckless driving by speed, DWI/DUI, and any other misdemeanor and felony offenses such as petit larceny, assault & battery, drug possession, drug distribution, firearms offenses, malicious wounding, robbery and murder. As a former prosecutor who has experience handling the most serious cases including several successful murder jury trials, Brandon...

John C. Shea has been in practice since 1977, focusing his practice exclusively on representation of the injured. Graduating from Wake Forest University in 1974 (Cum Laude), he received his J.D. in 1977 from the University of Richmond School of Law. He has been with Marks & Harrison since that time. His interests are brain injury and tractor-trailer cases.

For over a decade Matthew B. Kaplan, the founder and principal of The Kaplan Law Firm, has litigated cases on behalf of his clients in courts around the country. Prior to establishing The Kaplan Law Firm Mr. Kaplan was an attorney with Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, where he recovered millions of dollars for investors who incurred substantial losses as the result of fraud and other violations of the federal securities laws. Among the cases that Mr. Kaplan successfully litigated are In re Buca Inc. Securities Litigation, In re C.P. Ships Securities Litigation, In re...

WEBB & MORTON PLLC

The legal team at Webb & Morton has seen it all. We have helped countless taxpayers, business owners and families answer some of life’s most difficult questions. We are a small boutique law firm focusing on tax defense and compliance, asset protection, business law and corporate planning, wills, trusts and probate, and trust management. We are a progressive law firm, believing that the best solutions emerge from hard work and the re-engineering tried and true ideas. Law firms can no longer rely only on institutional knowledge – they must also innovate and inspire.

At Webb & Morton, you...

William (Bill) Turner is a criminal defense attorney who actually tries cases. A former prosecutor for two Virginia jurisdictions, Mr. Turner has tried thousands of criminal cases to a verdict, including several high-profile jury trials. Having successfully built and prosecuted countless criminal cases as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney, Mr. Turner offers clients an insider's view into how to respond to and defend against a government prosecution.

Mr. Turner believes that individuals facing criminal allegations need confident, talented, and experienced attorneys to develop a winning strategy and to argue their case persuasively. He combines extensive knowledge...

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.

Miguel Serrano is an immigration lawyer located in Arlington, Virginia, and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Our experienced immigration law firm works with businesses, organizations, athletes, and individuals. We provide expert immigration advice and total dedication to our clients: businesses, academics, scientists, artists, and athletes. The firm represents those seeking an H-1B visa, an L-1A visa for intracompany transferees as executives or managers, an E-1 and E-2, an O-1 for extraordinary ability, and P-visas for athletes and performers. We also represent individuals seeking permanent residency based on marriage to a U.S. citizen. Miguel Serrano earned a B.S. from the University...

Joanna L. Suyes focuses her practice on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims. She also handles personal injury matters. When working with clients in SSDI and SSI cases, Joanna can assist with everything from filing the initial application to going through the appeals process, including representing clients in hearings before administrative law judges.

As a former public defender and former prosecutor, I have focused on criminal law for the majority of my career. My background also brings a unique perspective to the table. I also have a good rapport with teenagers and young people after working as a juvenile prosecutor for more than two years.

Kathleen Marie Stotish was born and raised in central New Jersey, and has called northern Virginia "home" for nearly a decade. She focuses her practice on business transactions and commercial litigation, and also works in the areas of collections/creditors' rights law, and family law. Ms. Stotish has also been certified by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Guardian Ad Litem for Incapacitated Adults. Ms. Stotish graduated cum laude from the Washington College of Law at American University in 2012. During law school, Ms. Stotish worked as a Law Clerk with the Law Offices of Jonathan Gelber,...

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.

When the stakes are high, clients turn to Criminal Defense Attorney Paul C. Galanides. As a former Prosecutor for twenty-three years, Paul C. Galanides, holds an impressive history defending the accused in Virginia. Choose the right lawyer. Right now.

Andrew is a long-time Virginia local government attorney who represents governmental entities and officials throughout Virginia in specialized and general matters, and in specific litigation matters, and may also assist some who deal with Virginia governmental entities and officials in appropriate situations. He is a former President of the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc.

Civil and criminal appeals in state court in Florida and Georgia, and in federal courts nationwide. Visit me at www.allappeals.com to find out more.