Biography
Professional Associations
- Member, Virginia State Bar
- Member, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, Metro Richmond Family Law Association
- Member, Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Bar Association
- Member, Amicus Curiae Committee of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (2007-Current)
- Certified Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2006-Current)
- Chairman, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Family Law Section (2005-2006)
- Member, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Governors (2004-2005)
- Chairman, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Family Law Section, Professional Competency Committee (2004-2005)
- Chairman, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Publications Committee (2004-2005)
- Member, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Family Law Section, Executive Committee (2003-2005)
- Chairman, Virginia State Bar Family Law Section Board of Governors Membership Committee (2016-2017)
- Virginia State Bar Family Law Section Board of Governors 2017-2020, Publications Committee 2018-2019
- Chairman, Continuing Legal Education Committee, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Virginia Chapter (2007)
Published Works
- "Domestic Relations for the Virginia General Practitioner", Journal of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (Fall, 2003)
Representative Cases
- Confidential $2 million settlement (maximum available under medical malpractice cap at the time) for medical malpractice case in Chesterfield County (2013)
- Confidential $3 million settlement (maximum insurance available) in automobile accident case in Chesterfield County (2013)
- Howard v. Howard, 2010, Virginia Court of Appeals
- McIlwain v. McIlwain, 2008, Virginia Court of Appeals
- Curry v. Marlowe, 2007, Warren County Circuit Court
- Dowtin v. Dowtin, 2007, Virginia Court of Appeals
- Bullano v. Bullano, 2006, Virginia Court of Appeals
- Newman v. Newman, 2003, Virginia Court of Appeals
- Samuel v. Samuel, 004268 ST LOW SE 4 VA APP, 2003, Virginia Court of Appeals, 2004092404
- Bazzle v. Bazzle, 2002, Virginia Court of Appeals, 2002209372
- Lehman v. Lehman, 2002, Virginia Court of Appeals
- Mediko P.C. v. Liberty Healthcare Corporation, 2000, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, 2000099151
- Johnson v. Commonwealth, 1998, Virginia Court of Appeals
- Varma v. Bindal, 2017 Va. App. LEXIS 174, Unpublished (2017)
Honors
- Virginia Top 100 List Ranked by Super Lawyers (2014 – current)
- Virginia Top 50 Richmond List Ranked by Super Lawyers (2014 – current)
- Best Lawyers in America 2022 Lawyer of the Year- Family Law, Richmond Area
- Awarded Virginia Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2016)
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America for Family Law (2009-Current)
- Voted Super Lawyer, Top Family Lawyers in Virginia, Richmond Magazine Law & Politics (2006-Current)
- Named by Virginia Business Magazine as a Member of the “Legal Elite” in Virginia Family Law (2005-Current)
- Winner, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Trial Competition (1991)
- Winner, Carrico Moot Court Competition (1990)
- Avvo Perfect Rating
Classes & Seminars
- Co-Chair, Viriginia Trial Lawyers Assocation Advocacy Seminar (October, 2022)
- Presenter, "Practical Considerations in Texting with Your Clients," Virignia Trial Lawyers Assocaition Annual Convention (March, 2021)
- Presenter, "Depositions the Virignia Way," Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention (March, 2020)
- Presenter, "evidentiary Issues in Family Law Cases Involving Substance Abuse Allegations," Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Annual Advanced Family Law Retreat (February, 2020)
- Presenter, "Valuation of Property in Equitable Distribution," Virginia Trail Lawyers Assocaition Seminar (October, 2019)
- Judges Panel Moderator, "Advanced Family Law Issues in Mediation," Virginia State Bar Family Law Section 33rd Advanced Family Law Seminar (April, 2017)
- Presenter, "Bankruptcy- How if Affects Family Law Cases," Virginia Trail Lawyers Assocation Annual Convention (March, 2017)
- “A Re-Examination of the Duty of Truthfulness Occasioned Upon the Proposed Amendments to Rules 1.6 and 3.3 of the Rules of Professional Conduct,” Virginia State Bar Family Law Section Annual Family Law Seminar, October, 2016
- "Spousal Support Mock Trial," Presenter and Moderator, Richmond Bench-Bar Conference (October, 2013)
- "Presenting the Case - Income for Purposes of Spousal Support: Defining, Measuring and Testifying," Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Advanced Family Law Retreat (February, 2013)
- "Innovative and Creative Ways of Proving Income in Support Cases," American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers/Virginia Trial Lawyer Association/National Center for Family Law Joint Seminar (January, 2013)
- "Preventing Critical Financial Mistakes in Divorce," National Business Institute (October, 2012)
- "A Primer on Navigating Evidentiary Issues in Divorce Cases," Metro Richmond Family Law (October, 2011)
- Virginia Family Law Update, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Annual Paralegal Seminar (November, 2009)
- "Good, Better, Best: Perfecting the Appeal of Your Family Law Case," American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Virginia CLE (January, 2008)
- "Relocation of Children Out of State," Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association, Mock Trial (December, 2007)
- "Update on the Law," Virginia State Bar Family Law Section Seminar (October, 2007)
- "Ask the Expert," American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (October, 2007)
- "Legislative Update," Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association (March, 2007)
- "Preventing Critical Financial Mistakes During Divorces," "Failure to Understand Asset Types" and "Failure to Understand Tax Consequences of Assets," National Business Institute (March, 2007)
- Moderator, "Family Law for the Baby Boomers," Virginia Law Foundation/American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Divorce Practice Seminar (January, 2007)
- "Child Support and Spousal Support in Virginia," Virginia Poverty Law Center's Breaking the Cycle of Domestic and Sexual Violence (December, 2006)
- "QDROs and Other Pension Issues Involved in Divorces," Virginia Statewide Legal Aid Conference (November, 2006)
- "Addressing Abuse Allegations in Custody Cases," Richmond Bar Association (January, 2006)
- Presenter, "Trial Tips for Domestic Relations Cases," Virginia Legal Aid Society Annual Meeting (November, 2005)
- "A Primer on Hearsay and Authentication Issues in Family Law Cases," Advanced Family Law Seminar, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (2005)
- Seminar Chairman & Presenter, Advanced Family Law Seminar--Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk & Fairfax, Virginia, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (2005)
- Moderator, Advanced Family Law Seminar, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (2004)
- "Direct and Cross-Examinations of Expert Witnesses in Custody and Relocation Cases," Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Advanced Family Law Seminar (2004)
- "The Care and Feeding of Guardians ad Litem in Custody Cases," Richmond Bar Association (2003)
- "The Proficient Paralegal, Current Issues in Domestic Relations Practice," Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (2003)
Past Positions
- Jones & Associates, Partner
- Pitney, Jones & Fantl, PLC, Partner
- Kaestner, Pitney & Jones, P.C., Partner
Certified Legal Specialties
- Certified Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2006-Current)
Education
- University of Richmond, The T.C. Williams School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- Juris Doctor - 1992
- Honors: President, Student Bar Association (1991–1992)
- Honors: Winner, Carrico Moot Court Competition (1990)
- Honors: Winner, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Trial Competition (1991)
- Honors: National Moot Court Team (1990-1992)
- Honors: National Trial Team (1991-1992)
- Honors: Awarded Order of the Barristers (excellence in Oral Advocacy)
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- B.A. - 1988
- Major: Political Science
- Major: Economics
Bar Admissions
- Virginia, 1992
- Virginia Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Virginia