Top Best Family Lawyers | 17773 Available

Catherine Croft is among the preeminent lawyers nationwide who practice family law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating is awarded to only those attorneys who demonstrate significant experience in their chosen area of law and uphold the highest ethical standards. Ms. Croft was also recognized by Virginia Business Magazine as a Legal Elite in 2006. She remains on the faculty, and has taught the undergraduate upper level course "Family Law in Society," as an adjunct professor in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society, College of Humanities and Social Sciences at George Mason University. She has participated as a panel member in various local and multi-jurisdictional continuing legal education courses. She was an early advocate in support of — and is a current provider of — mediation services.. Ms. Croft has a reputation in the Prince William County legal community as a tough litigator and a tireless advocate for her clients in the courtroom. Her record of success reflects her experience as well as her dedication to her clients and their well-being. Her ability to think on her feet, as well as her creative problem solving skills, serve her as well today in the courtroom as they do at the negotiation or mediation table. While her preference is to resolve issues without contested litigation, she is prepared to litigate when the facts warrant litigation.. Ms. Croft graduated in the top seventeen percent of her class, and as a member of the law review, at George Mason University School of Law, which ranks as one of the top 50 law schools in the United States. She continues to sharpen her courtroom skills in practice, motivated by her desire to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients. Having received excellent mentoring herself, she is also committed to helping shape the careers and training of younger Prince William County attorneys. Her client base is evenly divided by gender, wherein she represents as many men as she does women. Even so, as founding President of the Prince William Chapter of the Virginia Women Attorneys Association, she encourages and promotes the advancement of women in the community and in the legal profession.. Ms. Croft's passion for family law is longstanding and predates her legal training. As an undergraduate, Ms. Croft obtained her B.S. in Administration of Justice and Public Safety, Juvenile Option, from Virginia Commonwealth University. Prior to law school, Ms. Croft worked as a paralegal for the Veterans Administration tracking veterans' legislation through Congress and writing for the VA Legislative Status Report. Thereafter she worked as a family law paralegal for a private legal services firm representing local union members. From there, Ms. Croft began her law school and law career.

Bruce Stanger is a highly experienced Connecticut Legal Malpractice Attorney.. After graduating cum laude from Western New England College School of Law in 1977, I started my legal career as a law clerk for the judges of the Appellate Session of the Superior Court which was helping them write opinions a great way to start my career. Prior to attending law school, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1974 from the University of Hartford. I worked on the design of nuclear power plants before going to law school. I actually use the engineering/science background as a lawyer in many of my cases. I also used the engineering to earn some money while I was in law school, working part time as a computer programmer.. I have been honored with a listing in two editions of Who's Who in American Law. I like to give back to the profession as a contributing author to professional publications and as a speaker regarding use of technology in litigation as well as other subjects such as nursing home litigation.. Another way I try to contribute is to volunteer for a variety of organizations. I am currently the President Elect of the Rotary Club of West Hartford. I have been active in a host of organizations including as the President of the Probus Club, the Executive Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, and as the President of the Solomon Schechter Day School where I served as President from 1997 to 1999. I was also instrumental in the $9 million campaign for the renovation and expansion of SSDS. I am a graduate of the Wexner Heritage Foundation Leadership program. I am the former chair of the Commission on Jewish Education. I am a current Director and past Vice President of Camp Ramah of New England. I am a co chair of the Israel Ride a 350 mile bike ride in Israel each year.. In my spare time I enjoy, reading, road races, bike riding and participating in area triathlons.. I am admitted to practice before all Connecticut state and federal courts. I am a member of the Hartford County Bar Association where I have served on the Office Technology Committee, the Civil Litigation Committee and the Ethics Committee. I am also a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association and the Connecticut Bar Association where I am a long term member of the Professional Ethics Committee, the Professional Discipline Committee and the Civil Litigation Committees. I am a member of the Family Law Section of the CBA. I have been trained in Collaborative Divorce, and I am a member of IACP, the International Association of Collaborative Professionals. I am of course a member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association.

Melissa graduated summa cum laude from Mercy College with a Bachelor’s degree in 2016. She received her Juris Doctorate from Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University in 2019. She is admitted to practice law in New York and Connecticut and is a certified Mediator and a Collaborative Attorney.. Melissa works exclusively in the areas of family and divorce law. Her passion in this field enables her to help families get through a difficult time in their lives, while they do so with dignity and integrity. Melissa previously worked at a divorce and family law firm in Great Neck, New York, where she represented clients in all aspects of family law, including contested divorces, pre-and post-judgment custody, child support issues, and enforcement matters. Before joining Dugo Law, she worked as a Family Court Legal Services attorney for the Administration for Children’s Services in Queens, NY, Family Court, wherein she handled child neglect and abuse cases.. Melissa handles all aspects of family and divorce law litigation, including complex financial matters and issues involving custody. As a certified mediator, Melissa assists separating and divorcing parties in reaching an amicable resolution through various forms of alternative dispute resolution.