Top Family Lawyers Near Me in Woodbridge Area

Spanish speaking attorney working in northern Virginia.  I am licensed to practice in DC, Virginia, and Maryland.  Accepting all types of clients and cases from family, criminal, personal injury, bankruptcy, immigration, and more.. Over 20 years expirence working in the federal government before moving into the private sector and opening private practice.

Nicholas C. Erickson is an associate with Compton & Duling, L.C. in the domestic relations practice, having joined the firm in September 2019. His prior litigation experience includes commercial litigation, business torts and contract claims, community association disputes, landlord tenant, debt collection, bankruptcy and creditor’s rights, estate/probate, and employment litigation, which makes him a strong advocate for the broad issues raised in family law cases.. Nicholas transitioned to domestic relations after representing clients in a wide range of matters in the courts of Virginia and the District of Columbia. Currently, he represents clients in a broad range of family law dispute, including divorce, custody, support, protective orders, and enforcement actions in the Circuit Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts.. During his first year in practice, Nicholas served as a Law Clerk for the judges of the Circuit Court of Arlington County and upon completing his clerkship, joined Capsalis, Bruce, Reaser & Caulkins, PLC, which later became Caulkins & Bruce, PC, in Arlington, Virginia, where he practiced for over ten years.. While in law school, Nicholas worked for a Washington, D.C. law firm, where he advised clients on mortgage lending compliance and trends in regulation in the financial industry. His law school career also involved a clerkship for an Administrative Law Judge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where he reviewed discrimination complaints by federal employees.. Nicholas is a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. In April 1997, Nicholas attained the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.

Ms. Simmons is an Associate with Nichols Zauzig Sandler and concentrates on domestic and criminal law.. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Simmons served as Judicial Law Clerk to The Honorable Lon E. Farris in Prince William County Circuit Court for two years, acting as the Chief Law Clerk for her second year.. Ms. Simmons graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina Central University School of Law, which she attended on full scholarship. She served as the Notes and Comments Editor for the Law Review and was a member of the law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta.. During the summer, she interned at the North Carolina Court of Appeals for The Honorable Wanda G. Bryant, preparing legal memos and assisting with the drafting of legal opinions. Ms. Simmons also interned with multiple law firms in Northern Virginia to gain legal practice experience.. Her undergraduate degree is from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia and she attended Osbourn Park High School in Prince William County.. Ms. Simmons is a member of the Prince William County Bar Association, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and Virginia Women Attorneys Association.

Mr. Paone, a Certified Matrimonial Law Attorney, is a founder and senior partner of the firm. With over 35 years of experience in family law, child custody and divorce, Mr. Paone has worked with hundreds of families, has leadership roles in a variety of professional organizations and has won many awards through the legal profession.. Mr. Paone is a Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Attorneys. The College is composed of the top 100 divorce attorneys in the United States.. Mr. Paone is a member of the Monmouth, Middlesex and New Jersey Bar Associations. He is a Past President of the Middlesex County Bar Association, Past Co-Chair of the Monmouth Bar Association Family Law Committee, Past President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers New Jersey Chapter and Past Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Section. He was appointed by the New Jersey State Bar Association as Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.  He has served by appointment of the New Jersey Supreme Court as a member of the Supreme Court Special Committee on Attorney Ethics and Admissions. He is a past Chair of the Supreme Court Board on Attorney Certification and a past member of the Supreme Court Board on Continuing Legal Education.. Nationally, Mr. Paone is a member of the American Bar Association, Family Law section.. Mr. Paone has received many accolades throughout his distinguished career in law, including The International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award for Outstanding Ability in Courtroom Advocacy, the Middlesex County Bar Association Family Lawyer of the Year, the New Jersey State Bar Association Distinguished Legislative Service Award, the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Section 2002 Tischler Award, the Middlesex County Bar Association Family Law Section 2008 Schoifet Award and the 2010 Distinguished Service Award, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.. Mr. Paone has been selected by Best Laywers® as a 2020 and 2015 Family Law Lawyer of the Year. He was also elected to Digital Press Int. as “One of the Top 10 Matrimonial Attorneys in Central New Jersey.” He was also selected by N.J. Monthly as one of “The Top 10 Super Lawyers of New Jersey.”. The New Jersey State Bar Association appointed Mr. Paone as a member of the Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee.  The Committee evaluates every candidate being considered by the governor as possible nominees for judicial appointment or reappointment to the Supreme Court and Superior Court, and for appointment or reappointment to the position of county prosecutor.Mr. Paone is a graduate of American University, Washington College of Law, where he was Articles Editor of the Law Review.

Mr. Nichols is a principal in the thirteen-lawyer firm of Nichols Zauzig Sandler P.C., in the Woodbridge, Stafford and Tysons Corner, Virginia offices. He concentrates his practice on family law matters, including divorce, custody, child support, distribution of assets and determination of alimony, as well as related matters such as protective orders and criminal defense. As a litigator, his practice routinely sees him in all levels of our court system.. Mr. Nichols' broad experience in all areas of family practice provides a substantial benefit to his clients. He has had the good fortune to handle clients with a wide range of financial backgrounds, from those of modest means to clients whose incomes and assets are significant. His philosophy in handling any case is to litigate to the fullest if necessary, but to settle in an amicable way, if possible. He recognizes that “seek and destroy” is not a fruitful approach when there are children, careers, and other common interests that will bind two people together long after the ink is dry on a final divorce, and therefore, a more practical approach is oftentimes best.. Mr. Nichols is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and he has received Martindale Hubbell's highest rating (AV) for legal ability and ethics. Mr. Nichols has also been recognized in the specialty of Family Law by "Best Lawyers in America," Thompson Reuter's Virginia "Super Lawyers," and Washingtonian Magazine.

Mr. David M. Wildstein is a Shareholder at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer P.A. where he built the firm’s Family Law Department, an experienced team of attorneys representing high net worth clients involved in divorce and custody proceedings. For over 40 years, Mr. Wildstein has focused his practice on family law and has tirelessly helped each of his clients, from stay-at-home mothers to corporate executives, navigate the economic and emotional challenges of matrimonial disputes.. As a member of several New Jersey Supreme Court Committees that have shaped the rules and procedures for family law in New Jersey, he has lectured to lawyers and judges at the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Trial Lawyers of New Jersey and the annual Judicial Retreat on family law, ethics, counsel fees, attorney liens and other topics. For over 25 years, he has moderated a panel discussion on family law cases decided in the previous year. The panel consists of Family Part Judges from Middlesex, Union and Somerset counties as well as lawyers from the Wilentz family law team. Mr. Wildstein has also authored several articles on the subject of prenuptial agreements, equitable distribution of assets and custody.. Widely recognized as an authority in family law, Mr. Wildstein has been quoted by The New York Times, The Washington Post and New Jersey Business Journal on prenuptial agreements and has also appeared on television and radio programs on issues related to family law. He received national attention during his representation of Christina Ferrare in the DeLorean divorce case and represented several other high-profile litigants, including former Governor of New Jersey James McGreevey in his highly publicized divorce action.

Jessica Stokes-Johnson, the founding attorney of Stokes Johnson Law, is a dedicated legal professional with a passion for justice. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Mississippi State University and a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law.. Prior to establishing her own practice, Ms. Stokes-Johnson served as a Trust Administrative Officer for U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management in Chicago, Illinois. While in law school, she gained invaluable experience clerking for Judge Tim Taft of the Texas 1st Court of Appeals and interning with both the Harris County District Attorney's Office and the Secretary of State of Georgia.. With over 17 years of legal experience, Ms. Stokes-Johnson is licensed to practice in Virginia, the District of Columbia, the Eastern District of Virginia, and Illinois. She leverages her extensive experience, both in and out of court, to achieve favorable outcomes for her clients, always with a focus on justice and personalized representation.. Beyond her legal career, Ms. Stokes-Johnson is deeply involved in her community. She served as a certified Guardian Ad Litem in Prince William County, Virginia, for over a decade, and her dedication to children's welfare earned her the 2016 Prince William County Bar Association Guardian Ad Litem of the Year award. Additionally, she is a current member of the Prince William County Bar Association and has previously affiliated with several other legal organizations to include the Virginia Women Attorneys Association, the American Bar Association, and Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity. Her community involvement extends to charitable work with Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross of America, Big Brother Big Sister, and volunteering at local food pantries to help those in need.. Ms. Stokes-Johnson is happily married and has two children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, including her Goldendoodle, Chase, traveling, and exploring new spas.

I am the owner of Fabrikant Law, LLC, a firm devoted primarily to the practice of Family Law.. I received my Juris Doctor from New York Law School and my Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University, where I graduated with Honors. I am admitted to the New Jersey State Bar, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and New York State Bar. Additionally, I am a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and Family Law Section of the Middlesex County and Union County Bar Associations.. Prior to opening my own firm, I served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable James F. Hyland, J.S.C., Middlesex County, Chancery Division—Family Part from 2007-2008 and as an intern to the Honorable Joseph L. Rea, J.S.C., also in Middlesex County, Chancery Division—Family Part in 2005.. I am fluent in Russian and I have been selected for inclusion in the New Jersey Super Lawyers®-Rising Stars Edition for 2014, 2015 and 2016, as well as the National Academy of Family Lawyer's Top 10 Family Law Attorneys under 40 and American Institute of Family Law Attorney's Top 10 for Client Satisfaction.

Cassandra Chin is a Partner with Nichols Zauzig and joined the firm in 2001, the first job of her career. Since then, she has become a leader in Virginia family law, earning both the respect of her peers and the gratitude of clients.. Cassandra has built her career on going beyond 100% for every client. As a result, her busy practice is based on referrals – from former clients, other attorneys, judges, even opposing parties. Many people also find and request her after reading the dozens of detailed reviews that her clients share online.. While devoted to her practice, Cassandra is also committed to developing the family law profession. Early on, she got involved with local and state bar associations. Ultimately, she became the youngest person to serve on the Board of Governors for the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section, later becoming Chair. On a national level, she was one of the youngest fellows when she was accepted into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), after meeting their stringent membership criteria. She is now a 2nd Vice President serving on the organization’s National Executive Committee, as well as Immediate Past President of the AAML Virginia Chapter. For the Prince William County Bar Association, Cassandra served as Co-Chair of the Family Law Committee from 2007 - 2023. Her service to the family law community earned her the Virginia State Bar Family Law Service Award in 2023.. Cassandra knew as early as 10 years old that she wanted to become a lawyer. In fact, she made a pact with her cousin to open and run a law firm together. Even though he is not part of the same firm, her cousin is also a practicing attorney.. Cassandra majored in business at James Madison University and contemplated going into corporate law, but “family law found me,” she says. It was while clerking for Judge Richard Potter that she was drawn to divorce and child custody cases. What was the attraction? “When it comes to cases involving kids, you can really help the family get through a tough time in a way that leaves everyone with respect for one other,” she says.. Family law also appealed to her business background, given the considerable financial aspects involved when dividing marital assets.“I’m very practical and tell clients my true opinion. We look at things from a cost/benefit approach. It’s important they have realistic expectations.”But first and foremost, Ms. Chin helps her clients understand the divorce process in plain English that they can understand. “I recognize divorce is a strange and new experience for most people and really do try to guide my clients through it with that in mind.”. Accepting nothing less than the best from herself and those who work with her is what drives Cassandra to excel. “If I’m going to do something, it’s going to be done to the best of my ability…plus. I have certain expectations for my work product, and I have to meet my own expectations.”

Attorney Holt has been academically and professionally involved in negotiation and alternative dispute resolution for over a decade. Graduating from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Labor Relations/Studies, minoring in Philosophy; and then from the Quinnipiac University School of Law, completing the Civil Advocacy and Dispute Resolution concentration.. Over the years he has participated in the negotiation and settlement of hundreds and hundreds of disputes, encompassing a broad spectrum of legal issues, from complex contract and corporate disputes, to labor and family law. For 7 years he mediated, facilitated and evaluated hundreds of contested financial, property and child custody disputes as a State of Connecticut Judicial Branch appointed Family Relations Counselor in the New Haven Superior Court.. In 2013 he left his position within the Judicial Branch and ventured into private legal practice for an established insurance policy holder litigation law firm. Here, in addition to traditional litigation and advising companies and insurance brokers about appropriate corporate risk transfer, he also counseled and represented some of the nation’s largest construction companies through the successful negotiation of multimillion-dollar insurance coverage disputes; disputes involving complex overlapping contractual obligations as well as potential multiparty liability payment scenarios.. Beginning in the Fall of 2017, Attorney Holt returned to his “roots” in family law, where he took on appointments as a Guardian Ad Litem, as well as litigating and mediating as an associate for a small private practice in New Haven which focused primarily on family law. Most recently Attorney Holt has started his own firm, Holt Law LLC, based in Woodbridge. His new practice is focused primarily on co-parenting coordination, collaborative family law, mediation and broader dispute resolution pursuits.

After practicing law in several other firms, in 2014, Kate Van Hooser and her law partners founded the predecessor firm to Van Hooser & Aguirre, P.C. in order to focus on individual solutions for their clients legal issues with a dedicated team approach.  Kate and her law partner Christina Aguirre continue to provide client focused legal advice across the Northern Virginia region including the City of Alexandria, Prince William County, Fairfax County, Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Spotsylania.. Since beginning her practice, Kate Van Hooser has made a name for herself as a zealous advocate for her clients, whether they are in the midst of a highly contested divorce or is a child who is the subject of a removal action by the Department of Social Services.  Ms. Van Hooser concentrates her practice on Family and Divorce Law, including all aspects of child custody, visitation, support, and property distribution, and  Elder Law, including Estate Planning, Guardianships/Conservatorships, and Medicare/Medicaid Planning.  She routinely appears before the courts in Prince William, Fairfax, Alexandria, Stafford, Fredericksburg, King George, and Spotsylvania Counties.  Ms. Van Hooser is a certified Guardian Ad Litem for both children and incompetent adults.. Ms. Van Hooser Graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology.  She received her Juris Doctor with a Certificate in Health Law from St. Louis University School of Law in Missouri.  While at SLU, Ms. Van Hooser served on the Moot Court Advisory Board and as a teaching assistant.  She served as Justice of the John J. Sullivan Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.. As a divorce and family law attorney Ms. Van Hooser has successfully represented clients with multi-million dollar business and property interests, as well as those with international custody and visitation issues.  Ms. Van Hooser is a skilled negotiator and an experienced litigator in the courtroom, who handles each divorce or family law case with compassion and dedication.. Ms. Van Hooser ‘s practice also involves preparing wills and estates and representing clients who are dealing with the complications of a serious health issue, or a child who is handicapped, to ensure they receive comprehensive planning.  As an advocate for the elderly, Ms. Van Hooser works with her clients and their families to understand the legal implications of a diagnosis like dementia, and to ensure they have the appropriate legal planning in place to protect their interests.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Woodbridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Woodbridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Woodbridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Woodbridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Woodbridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Woodbridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Woodbridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Woodbridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Woodbridge and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Woodbridge and surrounding areas.