Spotsylvania Lawyers

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...

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...

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...

Ms. Fine has practiced law for 35 years, the last 28 in Virginia. Her business law experience started immediately after graduating from Boston College Law School in 1982 when she worked at a 50-attorney Boston law firm. In 1989 she joined the Costello Dickenson firm in Winchester, Virginia, and in 1990 opened her own firm.

Ms. Fine has extensive practice drafting business contracts, including buy-sell agreements, employment agreements and non-competition agreements, and, balancing that experience, she reviews and litigates contracts drafted by other attorneys.

Her Wills, Trusts and Estates practice involves planning, drafting estate documents and probate litigation.

Her equine practice is an...

Wake Buxton is Managing Partner at TrustBuilders Law Group and President of TrustBuilders Fiduciary Group. He specializes in elder law, asset protection, and advanced wealth transfer as well as charitable giving and business succession planning. Mr. Buxton is an Accredited Estate Planner® and member of the Virginia, West Virginia, and Minnesota Bars as well as the United States Tax Court. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech, law degree from Regent University, and Master of Laws in Estate Planning from the University of Miami. He has also completed his graduate work in Financial Planning at Georgetown University and holds an...

Jeffrey Rhodes is an accomplished civil litigator, and a leading business and employment lawyer. In his many years of practice, Mr. Rhodes has litigated in courts around the country. Mr. Rhodes advises companies and executives, representing them in structuring, drafting, and defending their corporate transactions to help accomplish their business goals. Mr. Rhodes has effectively defended multi-million dollar claims and has also has obtained a multi-million dollar verdict on the plaintiff's side. He has litigated matters in all areas of civil, commercial and employment law, including: •contract disputes; •enforcement and defense...

Maggy R. Vaughn has cultivated extensive experience in complex family law, with a particular emphasis on adoption. As a member of the American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, a prestigious organization of top adoption lawyers, she has demonstrated exceptional competence and ethical standards. In her role as a Guardian ad litem (GAL), she brings a distinctive perspective to intricate family law issues. Ms. Vaughn's practice encompasses a broad range of matters, including agency adoptions, direct parental placements, step-parent and close-relative adoptions, adoption consultations, third-party custody cases, and foster parent representation. She also handles child custody, divorce, child support, visitation,...

Izak is Assistant General Counsel at MITRE (a leading science and technology nonprofit engaging in research and development in the public interest), where he provides strategic guidance on corporate compliance, commercial contracts, international governance, technology transactions, and disputes. He is a licensed Attorney in New York, Washington DC, the US Supreme Court, and registered Corporate Counsel in Virginia (USA), a Barrister & Solicitor in Ontario (Canada), a Lawyer in Victoria (Australia), and a Solicitor in England & Wales (UK). He is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional - EU (CIPP/E). Prior to MITRE, Izak was the global in-house compliance and contracts...

I practice in Northern Virginia (including Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudoun Counties) exclusively in the areas of estate planning; wills, trusts & estates (including probate and trust administration); estate and gift taxation; wealth preservation and asset protection; and family business law. For more information, please contact me or visit my website, weltyblair.com.

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.

Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, Chris entered the United States Navy as an Intelligence Specialist Petty Officer. While serving, he studied at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

Chris is admitted to practice law in all Virginia General District and Circuit Courts, the Virginia Court of Appeals, the Virginia Supreme Court, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern and Western District of Virginia, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. In 2008, he was a contributing author on the Virginia Continuing Legal Education publication, “Defense of Serious Traffic Cases in Virginia.” Chris is a...

Ofelia L. Calderón is a founding partner at Calderón Seguin PLC. In addition to maintaining a diverse practice which includes family, naturalization, business, and asylum, Ofelia concentrates on federal matters and removal cases. Outside her practice, Ofelia is a fervent advocate for the immigration community and has frequently taken her support and knowledge to various community forums. S

Attorney Mark Paullin has more than 29 years of legal experience, which includes insurance defense work. His experience with both sides of the process allows him to prepare his clients for what may come their way as well as has enabled him to insightfully and aggressively represent his clients with their Personal Injury case, Diminished Value or Diminution case. Mark handles Speeding cases, DUI/DWI cases, and Reckless Driving cases as well as other other Traffic Court matters around the Richmond Metro area. Experience Counts. When you hire the Paullin Law Firm, your case won't be handed off to benchwarmers or...

Jon is an experienced litigator licensed in Virginia and Washington, DC. Jon’s success as an attorney comes from his experience and his dedication to efficiently and cost-effectively achieve the best possible outcome for his clients. Jon works closely with his clients to help them make the best-informed decisions on matters that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Although he has a versatile practice, Jon’s experience as a family lawyer and criminal defense attorney sets him apart from many other lawyers. He has gained a unique understanding of the intersection between criminal law and family law making him well...

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...

Manager of the Government Contracts practice at Albo & Oblon, L.L.P, December 2010--. General Services Administration Board of Contract Appeals, 1980-87. Attorney-advisor and trial attorney DLA Construction Supply Center, 1968-1980.

Yancey Ellis is the managing partner at Carmichael Ellis & Brock, PLLC, and is a vital asset in our firm-wide mission of service to the indigent, upholding the Constitution, and guiding our clients through the criminal justice system. Yancey is also the lead attorney on cases assisting military service members and veterans with their special legal needs. Yancey Ellis joined Carmichael Ellis & Brock, PLLC, after working for the very well-respected Public Defender's Office for the City of Alexandria. At the Alexandria Public Defender's Office, Yancey defended almost two thousand clients against criminal charges by the Government. Yancey defended clients...

Practice Areas: Victim Representation and Advocacy Member of the American Association for Justice/ Sexual Assault Litigation Group Protective Orders Defamation International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA) Criminal defense

Erin J. Smith was raised on the Northern Neck of Virginia. She attended Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. She graduated with honors and her Bachelor’s Degree in English and a minor in Communication Studies. She spent the next two years working as a high school English teacher before applying to and being accepted into Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in Washington, DC. While attending school, she worked at the Alexandria Office of the Public Defender, defending indigent clients charged with traffic offenses, misdemeanors, and felonies. Ms. Smith then opened her private practice where she currently defends individuals...

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.

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...

I am Natalie Powell, an attorney with a passion for guiding individuals through the intricacies of the legal system. Having graduated from Vanderbilt University and the University of Mississippi School of Law, I have been honored twice with the American Jurisprudence Award, which is awarded to the top-performing student in each subject. My legal career spans over a decade, during which I have gained a broad range of experiences that have provided me with strategic insights and a comprehensive understanding of effective client advocacy. I am thrilled to apply my client-centered approach and solid grounding in legal strategy to the field...

Attorney

Gary "Neil" Ripley hails from Alexandria, Virginia. As of September 3, 2019, he is an associate attorney with Greenwood Law. Neil is fluent in three languages including English, Spanish, and French. After graduating from high school as an AP Scholar, Neil attended the University of Virginia (UVA) where he double-majored in Government with a concentration in Political Theory, and History with a concentration in Russian Political History. He was a member of UVA’s Men’s Rugby Team, UVA’s Men’s Rowing Team, and the Crisis Director for the Virginia International Crisis Simulation at the International Relations Organization.

After graduating from UVA, Neil worked...

C. Douglas Welty, a full-time trusts & estates attorney, is certified as an Estate Planning Law Specialist by the Estate Law Specialist Board, an autonomous body accredited by the American Bar Association and affiliated with the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. He was the first estate planning attorney in Northern Virginia to earn such certification.

Doug Welty also holds the multidisciplinary Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) designation, which is conferred by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils upon both estate planning attorneys and highly experienced non-attorney estate planning professionals (such as certified public accountants, financial planners, insurance specialists,...

Paul Gaymon is the founder of The Gaymon Law Firm, PLLC where he focuses his legal practice on representing individuals and businesses with tax debts and other financial problems. Mr. Gaymon represents consumer and business debtors in complex Chapter 7, 11 and 13 bankruptcies. He regularly appears before the United States Bankruptcy Court and interacts with the Internal Revenue Service, the Comptroller of Maryland, and the Virginia Department of Taxation on behalf of his clients. Prior to representing persons and businesses with tax and other financial problems, Mr. Gaymon served as an Attorney-Advisor to the Assistant Secretary...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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. ...

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,...

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.

Attorney with emphasis in start-up and venture business law, small business law, taxation, wills, trusts and estate planning. Computer Scientist with extensive experience in web based application development, databases, data mining, information retrieval and distributed systems. I enjoy working with small and start-up technology businesses and advising them both on technology and law, where appropriate.

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.