Top Family Lawyers in ZIP 20176 | 7 available

Ryan M. Schmalzle is a cum laude graduate of George Mason University School of Law.  After law school, Mr. Schmalzle worked at the law firm of Wiley Rein on K Street, NW in Washington, DC.  Mr. Schmalzle left Washington, DC and the big firm culture to practice in Leesburg, Virginia Ryan started Beckman Schmalzle PLC with his close friend and colleague Spencer Beckman because they both share the business philosophy that people matter most of all and they wanted to work for a business with that core value.  The majority of Mr. Schmalzle’s practice involves family law issues, and Mr. Schmalzle also represents clients in general civil litigation cases and criminal cases.  Mr. Schmalzle resides with his wife and daughter in Frederick, Maryland.

For over a decade, Sarah Bruns has been aggressively protecting the rights of her clients in Northern Virginia in matters of Family Law, Criminal Defense, and Drunk Driving (DUI/DWI) Defense.. As a seasoned trial attorney, Sarah has defended individuals charged with Murder, Rape, Robbery, Theft, and Drug Possession/Distribution. 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 practice also extends to Family Law cases, including Divorce, Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Protective Orders, Child Protective Services, and Child Abuse and Neglect cases. Her experience in litigation is an asset to her clients in the courtroom; yet she also believes in the value of out-of-court client counseling and a zealous negotiation. Her clients can trust that she has the skills to advocate for them both in and out of the courtroom.. Sarah has been qualified to serve as a Guardian ad Litem for children in the Loudoun County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. In this role, she ensures that the interests of the most vulnerable are not forgotten.. At the outset of her career, Sarah clerked for the Honorable William D. Hamblen in the Circuit Court of Prince William County (31st Judicial Circuit). There, she learned firsthand what a judge expects regarding professional behavior and effective advocacy. Sarah continues to use this insight to make winning arguments for her clients.. Sarah believes that bettering herself and the community benefits everyone, especially her clients. She spends her spare time volunteering within and outside of the legal community. She is an Officer and a member of the Board of Directors for the Loudoun Community Cat Coalition, a prominent local 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization. She also fosters cats and kittens and goes out in the field to engage in TNR (trap, neuter, release). If you have some spare time, ask her about it, she’d love to tell you all about it. Sarah is also a mentor for the Thomas D. Horne Leadership in the Law Summer Camp, and routinely signs up for volunteer experiences as they become available. Sarah is an avid cyclist and can been seen along the W&OD trail and the many gravel roads of Loudoun County.

A native of Northern Virginia, James Beglis has a B.A. from the University of Virginia (1999) and a J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law (2003). He is a member of the Virginia State Bar, the Loudoun Bar Association, the Fairfax Bar Association, and a certified Guardian ad litem for minor children.  James practiced exclusively criminal and traffic defense in Loudoun County before joining a family law firm in Reston for several years where, in addition to handling divorce and family law matters of every variety, he also handled all the estate planning cases. In 2013, he started Beglis Law which allows him to focus his time and attention on these three areas of law.. During the initial consultation, James will assess your case in a rational, level-headed manner and give you clear feedback as to the strengths and weaknesses of your case, possible outcomes, and the best path forward to achieve the desired outcome.