Melfa Lawyers

Bailey Gifford joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers in late 2020. Born in Nebraska and raised in Kentucky, she graduated with honors from Central Hardin High School.

After high school, Bailey graduated magna cum laude from Morehead State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with an emphasis in Business in 2016.

Bailey went on to the Appalachian School of Law, in Grundy, VA, where she obtained her J.D. in 2020. During her time there, she served as president of the Student Bar Association. Bailey also served as a Student Ambassador and participated as a member of both the Mock Trial and...

I am a highly experienced attorney who practices Education Law and Employment Law throughout all of Virginia. I am committed to and passionate about protecting your legal rights as a student and an employee. There is nothing I am more passionate about professionally, and I make your rights my mission. Do not suffer an injury in silence. Call today for an initial consultation.

As a TOP 40 UNDER 40 lawyer by National Trial Lawyers, Abraham has represented clients in a wide variety of criminal matters from DUI/DWIs, drugs, white collar, and computer crimes throughout Virginia and the federal U.S. District Court for the Eastern District.

As former Virginia magistrate, Abraham Del Rio III has protected 4th Amendment rights while conducting hundreds of hearings involving arrest warrants, search warrants, and bail determinations and uses this experience to get the best results for his clients.

Abraham is a certified criminal defense attorney by the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission for both felonies and misdemeanors.

Kirk T. Schroder is an experienced entertainment and arts law attorney. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for the field of entertainment law and is currently rated an “AV Preeminent” lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for lawyers. Kirk’s national peers in the entertainment and sports law profession elected him the chair of the American Bar Association’s Entertainment and Sports Law Section. Kirk is the Co-Editor and a contributing author to "The Essential Guide to Entertainment Law". He has taught entertainment law as Lecturer at the University of Virginia. His law practice draws entertainment and arts-related...

Abbigale Fredrick is an attorney who works from Allen & Allen’s Richmond, VA office. In addition to being an experienced lawyer, Abby is a strategic business manager. She supervises the new case department and works with clients at the earliest stages of their cases. Abby meets with potential new clients and helps determine how the attorneys at Allen & Allen are best able to meet their needs. Abby’s background in insurance defense gives her valuable insight into how insurance companies handle and evaluate personal injury and medical malpractice claims. This experience is an advantage to the firm’s clients as she...

Clayton, a seasoned litigator who has successfully handled all types of personal injury cases, has been with the firm for more than 30 years. He manages the firm's Mechanicville office. He is known for the perseverance, tenacity, and attention to detail that only the most persistent of counsel can provide. He is highly respected for his meticulous research and legal analysis. He has expertise in personal injury litigation, including substantial courtroom experience. He has also participated in numerous mediations and arbitrations in a variety of cases. Clayton has spent his entire legal career with Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen, where...

Scott Fitzgerald is the great grandson of the Firm’s founder, George E. Allen, Sr., and is the first member of the fourth generation of the Allen family to join the Allen Law Firm. He currently works in the Richmond, VA office and focuses his practice exclusively on personal injury cases including motorcycle accidents, car accidents, and truck accidents. Having grown up with a family tradition of advocacy and service, Scott is passionate about protecting the interests of his clients and defending their rights against insurance companies.

Scott grew up in Chesterfield, Virginia and attended L.C. Bird High School, where he won...

Attorney Jason Swango, founder of The Firm For Men, is a leader in the law arena, representing men exclusively in all family law matters including divorce, custody, support, post-divorce, and more. As a former military servicemember, Attorney Swango understands the intricacies of military family law, earning a reputation in Hampton Roads as the go-to attorney for active duty and former military.

I am a former prosecutor who is a seasoned trial lawyer focused on achieving outstanding results for my clients. I am a born fighter and a high-profile problem solver. My firm handles personal injury and civil litigation, state and federal criminal law cases, divorce and custody, and education and Title IX law. Our firm stands out among the rest because of our experience in courtroom litigation. We fight for our clients!

As founder of Lawrence & Associates, Ms. Lawrence has practiced employment law exclusively throughout her career, and is well-known for her work in the employment law field. She graduated with a B.A. from the University of Virginia with honors and earned her law degree from the Marshall Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary. Admitted to practice in 1992, she has represented employees and employers in the public and private sectors. Clients are “impressed” by Ms. Lawrence’s “poise and command of the law,” adding that she is also “very helpful, detailed and patient.”

Malcolm "Mic" McConnell is the lead medical malpractice attorney at Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen. He has settled or tried cases in virtually every medical specialty since he began practicing law in 1987. He has been rated by other attorneys as Martindale-Hubbell AV, the highest rating available for competency and ethics. He has been listed in Virginia’s Super Lawyers every year since 2006, and in Best Lawyers in America every year since 2007. Best Lawyers in America named Mic Richmond’s Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year in 2013 and 2016.

He is one of the few attorneys...

Rebecca began her business with the goal of helping families through a range of family issues from divorce and separation to creating cohesive estate plans. Through a strong focus on people - both clients and employees - the firm has grown and expanded into new markets. Our offices now serve northern Virginia, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Gilbert Carey is an attorney and certified public accountant with Wolcott Rivers Gates. He practices in the areas of Taxation, Tax Resolution and Controversy and Estate Planning, solving tax, business, and legal challenges for individuals, privately held businesses and their owners. He has an Avvo rating of 10 (Superb) and has been recognized as a Top Lawyer of Coastal Virginia by Coastal Virginia Magazine. Mr. Carey regularly advises clients on tax matters and represents clients in tax disputes with the IRS, state tax agencies and in U.S. Tax Court. He provides income tax planning and compliance advice to individuals, trusts, estates...

As a take-charge lawyer, my forceful personality compliments my formidable litigation and negotiating skills. I bring to every case my strong intellect, innate sense of practicality, and my burning desire to win. My legal achievements for clients include many courtroom victories, but I am as able to search creatively for ways to settle cases as I am to prepare and try cases that cannot be settled. I was named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America for 2014 and 2015 in the Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs category in Richmond, Va. My ability to master complex...

At 7 Cities Law I specialize in Criminal Defense and Juvenile Law. I started my legal career eight years ago as a prosecutor in Virginia Beach where I tried hundreds of criminal cases. My experience extends from the most serious of violent felonies like Murder or Sexual Assault to misdemeanors such as Traffic Offenses, Domestic Violence and School Disciplinary Hearings. I was recently selected by the National Trial Lawyers as one of their Top 40 Under 40. I pride myself on being prepared and working with my clients as a team to get the best result in our...

Mike Mullin has an extensive legal background as a former prosecutor and seasoned trial lawyer. Mike Mullin graduated from Christopher Newport University in 2004 and Catholic University School of Law in 2007. Since then, he has worked for almost 15 years as a criminal prosecutor and trial lawyer in all levels of Virginia Courts. The majority of Mike's practice is traffic, criminal, and family law matters. Mike specializes in DUI defense and speeding cases. Being a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and serving on the House Courts of Justice Committee gives Mike a unique perspective he can share...

Elisha N. Hawk became a partner with Jenner Law, P.C. in 2023, focusing her practice on advocating for people and families who have been injured by the abuse and neglect of others. Her practice focuses on cases involving personal injury, mass torts, therapy abuse, clergy abuse, and nursing home abuse and neglect. Elisha started her career as an associate working under Jenner Law, P.C.’s founding partner, Rob Jenner, where she represented people who had been harmed by dangerous drugs and devices. She gained significant experience handling pharmaceutical and defective medical device cases under Rob’s mentorship. Following her...

I joined Barnes & Diehl, PC in 2004 where I have focused on family law matters. I have worked as a forensic and clinical psychologist for the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina, and Central State Hospital’s Maximum Security Forensic Unit. I use my psychology training daily for the benefit of my clients. Understanding what influences and motivates people is important in both negotiating and litigating to get the best outcome for my clients. I handle a variety of cases including child custody, child and spousal support, complex equitable...

Prior to practicing law, I spent a considerable amount of time oversea in my former career as a CIA Operations Officer. After law school I practiced bankruptcy law in the Central District of California, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Divisions. In 2003, I returned to my native state of Virginia and established the Merna Law Group. Since the founding of the firm we have won over 35 awards for customer service, good work, and other accolades. Over my more than 25 years of bankruptcy practice, myself and my attorneys have filed over 10,000 successful cases. PHONE CONSULT AVAILABLE. We...

James Panagis has spent his legal career in criminal and civil litigation in the state and federal courts of Virginia. With 15 years of trial experience, he has done jury trials in state and federal courts all over Virginia. James is a former Assistant Commonwealth Attorney with Fairfax County and the City of Virginia Beach and has been lead counsel on countless bench and jury trials having litigated Murder, Manslaughter, Robbery, Rape, Malicious Wounding, Embezzlement and a number of other white collar and computer offenses. James has significant appellate experience and has conducted oral argument before the Court of Appeals of...

I work as a principal attorney at Poole Brooke Plumlee PC. I have a passion for helping people navigate the most challenging family situations they have ever faced in their lifetimes, whether that includes a divorce, a child custody dispute, or other family law matter. Each case is unique and deserves a specialized plan. When I meet with clients, I help them set reasonable goals and formulate a strategy and roadmap that we can follow together to maximize the chance of achieving those goals. I take pride in being accessible to my clients and keeping them informed about...

While Shelly has had great success with her own law firm, the opportunity to become the Manager Partner of a Chesapeake office for Parks Zeigler was enticing. The merging of the two firms allows Shelly to offer a wide variety of services to her clients while maintaining her Chesapeake roots. She is looking forward to many more years of successful practice with Parks Zeigler.

Shelly attended Regent University School of Law and graduated in 2001. In law school, she competed on the mock trial team and served as an officer for the American Bar Association. In her third year, Shelly...

Taite has devoted his entire legal career to the practice of criminal defense. Prior to co-founding Westendorf & Khalaf, Taite worked as a supervising attorney in the largest Public Defender's office in the state (Virginia Beach). His career has been defined by taking on a variety of tough high stakes cases. In a state where a fraction of felony cases go to trial (and less than 1% go to jury trial), Taite has taken over one hundred felony cases to trial and has won not guilty verdicts following jury trials for murder, rape, robbery, abduction, use of a...

Mr. Hoen resides in Hampton and has been practicing since 1989 throughout the state and federal courts of Virginia. His practice focuses on representing injury victims. He has recovered millions for his clients and is actively involved in his church and community. His fee is never more than his client receives as a net recovery after all of their bills and liens are paid.

Joe Miller has been representing the injured for over 30 years. He is admitted to practice law in both Virginia and North Carolina. If you have been injured at work, in a car accident, or otherwise due to the negligence of another, you need to call Joe Miller Law and experience what Strong Justice is all about. Joe grew up in the Tidewater area of Virginia and attended Western Branch High School in Chesapeake. He received his law degree at William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1987. He is admitted to practice law in both Virginia and North...

Divorce, child custody or a criminal charge can be one of the most challenging events in your life, with emotions, finances, your life, and more hanging in the balance. Attempting to figure it out on your own, or through consultation with a lawyer that is unskilled in the law, unprepared or going at it alone can only adds unnecessary stress. Turn to Anson Law to provide the legal advice you need to ensure your case isn’t more difficult than it needs to be.

Jack Randall became acquainted with the need for good advocacy while working for the Virginia Beach Police Department. As a police officer, Jack would have to put on cases for the Commonwealth and recognized that he had an ability to present cases in such a way that judges and other attorneys recommended he attend law school. Having graduated from Christopher Newport University, Jack attended Regent University School of Law during their evening program, while working full-time for the Virginia Beach Police Department. Upon graduation, Jack joined the Southampton Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. As a member of Randall Page, Jack brings a...

I made a choice years ago to use my talents to help other people through the practice of family law. I practice family law because it is an area of law where we need ethical and responsible attorneys to guide people through the legal side of what is a very emotionally driven time in their lives. As a founding member of Phillips & Peters, PLLC, I helped create the firm’s goal of helping families move forward through a time that most people churn in place. I want to help you accomplish your goals.

Shannon Laymon-Pecoraro is a Certified Elder Law Attorney of Parks Zeigler, PLLC practicing in the areas of elder law, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, estate planning, asset protection planning, financial planning, guardianships and conservatorships. Prior to joining the firm Ms. Laymon-Pecoraro spent 10 years at Hook Law Center, P.C. Ms. Laymon Pecoraro has a passion for special needs planning, which has resulted in her becoming a go-to for personal injury attorneys who need assistance navigating public benefits or otherwise protecting a client’s funds. As a result, Ms. Laymon-Pecoraro has worked on hundreds of personal injury cases, developing settlement trusts,...

Damon is a trial and personal injury attorney in Richmond, VA and he is a best-selling author for his work on the consumer legal guide “Protect and Defend.” Damon focuses his law practice on helping the average person fight the good fight.

Most people involved in an accident are forced to deal with insurance companies. Insurance companies use claims adjusters to investigate, handle, and settle claims. Damon worked as a claims adjuster for five years at one of America’s largest auto insurance companies. There, he settled thousands of cases for the insurance company. Damon was unhappy with how Big Insurance companies...

Areas of Practice:
Business and Consumer Bankruptcy, Business Planning, Commercial Litigation, and Creditors’ Rights.

Education:
J.D., Washington & Lee University School of Law, 2005
B.A., University of Michigan, Honors College, Double Major in Political Science and History, 1999

Honors:
Selected by Super Lawyers in 2012 – 2016 as a Virginia Rising Star in the Practice Area of Bankruptcy
Rated 10 out of 10 by Avvo.com, 2015 – 2018 Avvo Clients’ Choice Award

Professional Affiliations:
Virginia State Bar
District of Columbia Bar
Board of Governors, Virginia State Bar General Practice Section (2013 – Present) (Chair 2018 – Present)
Richmond Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section
American Bankruptcy Institute
Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference, Chair First Day...

Dominic P. Lascara is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia. He graduated in 1986 from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary after receiving his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, in Business Administration in 1981 from Old Dominion University. Dominic P. Lascara joined the law firm of Roy, Forehand, Laine and Dale, P.C. as an associate in the fall of 1986 after being admitted to the Virginia State Bar. He was admitted to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in 1987. He became a partner...

MONTE KULIGOWSKI IS A VIRGINIA ATTORNEY who concentrates in DUI / DWI, reckless driving, felonies, misdemeanors and serious personal injury cases. He has handled speeding tickets to murder cases. Monte has been defending clients throughout Virginia since 1997. He has won cases at every judicial level of the Commonwealth, including the Virginia Supreme Court (See, White v. Commonwealth, 267 Va. 96 (2004)). Attorney Kuligowski is also admitted to practice in federal District Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He has won cases in both state and federal court. Over the years, he has...

I am a Richmond, Virginia immigration attorney and the owner of Ben Williams Law, PLLC. I have experience in all types of immigration matters, ranging from marriage/fiance, family, and employment-based visas to deportation defense and asylum.

John was named “Most Inspiring Graduate,” of the Regent University School of Law for his Class. An Honors student, John earned the Ronald L. Fick Book Award for highest academic achievement in:
His outstanding performance in Real Estate Transactions, Property, Contract, and Criminal Law propelled him to finish in the top fifth of the class.
Beyond the books, John established himself as an effective justice-oriented advocate. He represented Virginia on 86 cases, including felony prosecutions, under Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. John interned for the Supreme Court of Virginia and assisted the Legal Advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander for Transportation...

Geoff earned his B.A. from the University of Virginia in ’86 in Foreign Affairs and his J.D. from the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law in ’89. Geoff attended the University of Hawaii on a football scholarship before transferring to the University of Virginia, where he played for George Welsh and was a member of the ’84 Peach Bowl championship team – the first UVA team to make a bowl appearance.

As a lawyer Geoff has obtained more than $400 million in settlements and awards for his clients. He has successfully tried cases resulting in over 200 written opinions,...

One of Dave's primary areas of practice is car accident litigation. He appears in the courtroom frequently, trying cases before both judges and juries and winning substantial verdicts for his clients. When it serves a client's best interests, he explores ways to resolve cases through arbitration and mediation. He works in the firm's Richmond, VA office and represents clients across the state of Virginia.

Before he joined the Allen Law Firm, Dave worked as in house legal counsel for a major automobile liability insurance company. He represented insurance company policyholders who had been sued by plaintiffs injured in...

Griffin O’Hanlon joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers as an attorney in the fall of 2015. He attended Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake for his freshman and sophomore years, before his parents relocated to Illinois. He returned to Virginia to attend Virginia Tech, where he majored in history. Griff obtained his J.D. from the Saint Louis University School of Law with a concentration in civil litigation.

After law school, Griff returned to Hampton Roads, where he practiced criminal law at the Norfolk Public Defender’s Office and a local private firm before joining Cooper Hurley and has extensive in-court litigation experience. Griff...

Attorney Shemeka Hankins is an experienced prior prosectuor with years of criminal litigation experience. A seasoned trial attorney, she is well-versed in a number of criminal areas such as drugs/narcotics/marijuana, driving under the influence (DUI/DWI), theft crimes, and juvenile justice. She also has experience with mental health programs, license restoration, restoration of gun rights, and expungements.

Shemeka Hankins is a committed servant of the community and puts the rights of clients at the forefront of the defense. She is dedicated to helping her clients protect their freedoms and defend their rights in legal situations. Attorney Shemeka Hankins is a...