I hired Jane K. Cabbiness, Esquire The day before my court date. She informed me i had the wrong…read moredate for my court case and worked hard on getting all my information to be presented the next day. She did an excellent job with her presentation of my case and got it reduced to the point of my satisfaction. I would hire her again !

I hired Bottner & Associates to help with a post-divorce court order modification and a child…read moresupport dispute initiated by my ex-wife. While I'm thankful I ultimately retained my authority in matters of legal custody of my children--which was the most important outcome--my experience with the firm left me frustrated and disappointed. I initially chose Bottner because he had previously represented me in a bankruptcy case following my divorce. That matter went smoothly, as it was relatively straightforward, and I expected a similar level of professionalism and support. Unfortunately, what I encountered this time was far different. Despite paying roughly $5,700 over the course of the case, there was no closing discussion, no wrap-up email from his paralegal Amanda, and no "thank you" or "good luck"--just a consistent stream of monthly bills. That lack of basic professionalism set the tone for much of my experience. At one point, when I chose not to settle when the petitioner wanted to, and instead pushed for a final hearing, Mr. Bottner called me personally. I had hoped for a strategic conversation, but instead, I was met with irritation. He accused me and my ex of fighting like children over nothing. This "nothing" was retaining my legal custody of my kids--a matter that, for me, meant everything. I was also billed for the unpleasant conversation, by the way. Days later, when it became clear my concerns were valid, he did offer a brief apology. But the damage had been done. The dismissiveness I encountered in that moment was hard to forget. Throughout the case, I often felt unheard and overlooked, as though my concerns were just paperwork to be processed. At times there was no responsiveness, and I genuinely wondered if anyone at the firm had taken the time to truly understand my position. Once my retainer was paid, the personal engagement vanished. Watching the 2014 documentary "Divorce Corp" during my case helped me put the experience into context. The film portrays a family court system that can feel transactional, impersonal, and indifferent--and sadly, that's exactly how this firm made me feel during the seven-month long legal ordeal. There's a saying (often misattributed to Benjamin Franklin) that justice isn't truly served until those unaffected are just as outraged as those directly impacted. I lived through the other side of that--feeling like the people who represented me didn't really care unless it involved an invoice. Yes, I won the core issue (the judge seemed fair). But how you're treated along the way matters just as much. This firm may be effective on paper, but if you're looking for a client-centered experience, you may want to look elsewhere.

David Hensley is one of the best attorneys in the area. A highly intelligent and informed lawyer in…read moreWinchester who can handle a multitude of different clients and cases at one of the most affordable rates! Highly respected and highly recommended.

Fights hard for his clients and is a good attorney. Mr. Gunter would be proud.read more

My family had the privilege of working with Ari Sommer of Harrison & Johnston for elder care…read morematters. When you work with Ari Sommer, you will find that he is who you would consider above and beyond any expectations of a lawyer. We hired Ari Sommer to help my parents when my dad had dementia and he needed long term nursing care; my mom did not need that type of care. Essentially, they had to split while still being married. This happens so many times with the elderly. From the moment we met Ari Sommer he became a guardian angel to my parents and my sisters and me. You expect someone to do what is typical in creating a will etc., but Ari Sommer did so much more. He presented meticulous information to allow supporting agencies such as Medicaid to make quick and concise decisions to secure my parents living conditions as well as financially. I know I may sound repetitive, but I watched Ari as not only did he dot his "i's" and cross his "t's" but he created a road map with precise information and directions to allow agencies to quickly make decisions in my parents favor without having these agencies to ask for further information which would have delaying the outcome for my parents. Time is essential in these matters. He is highly intelligent, compassionate, and caring, and he also went way, way past that. He looked at their situation along with other laws in place and felt that somethings needed to change. After his detailed analysis, he sought after remedies that would protect my parents and their assets. He actually developed a new way to apply a law that can benefit people in Virginia and in doing so, allowed my mother and father to financially be secure and safe. Again, I am repeating myself, but I have never seen someone like him and the way his mind worked. He theorized and meticulously presented information to judges and developed a new application of the law to help not only my parents but others who may be in similar situations in the future. So, do I recommend Ari Sommer you better believe it. I only wish there were more people out there like him and yes, I wish I was more like Ari Sommer and I am a business owner of 20 years. To say he is my hero is not stated without fact, he defines heroism. He took care of my parents when my sisters and I did not know how to. He took that weight off my sisters and I and my parents as we trusted him to protect and serve my parents For that Ari Sommer you are my hero and I cannot thank you so much for the way you compassionately took care of my parents and treated them with the fight and determination with love, gentleness, and reassurance you gave to my parents during this time.

They were very formal, and not people with whom I felt comfortable. I spoke to Ari Summers, who…read morewas extremely long winded and seemed to want everyone to know he was the smartest person in the room. I later went back and re-read his on-line bio. I was not surprised to see him preening over a trip to South Africa as a novice attorney "helping" refugees obtain citizenship. It's difficult to believe someone straight out of law school would do much more than fetch coffee for the real lawyers who actually knew South African law. It's also difficult to take his "white savior" complex seriously when he charges $500 an hour. We passed and chose other representation.

These guys are the go-to in the world of divorce. I wouldn't have anyone else handle my case! Ask…read moreany attorney who is their divorce lawyer... it's Jim McGuire!

Peter Buchbauer of the Buchbauer & McGuire, P.C. law firm located 110 N Braddock St, in Winchester…read more Peter Buchbauer represented me in a divorce case. I find his conduct and his representation, in my case reprehensible. Here are the facts, and I have documentation, from my perspective: 1) Peter Buchbauer with the opposing attorney Carolyn Fitzwater with the law firm Adams and Jones, Plc 11 S Cameron St. also in Winchester authored and edited/reviewed a Property Settlement Agreement (PSA). The document as written and reviewed was not a clean document. It contained opposing conceptual statements in the same paragraph, something a legal document should not have. (Malpractice or incompetent) 2) I asked Buchbauer to remove the opposing statement- he did not. (Unethical) 3) Buchbauer withdrew from the case leaving me to explain to the judge the discrepancies in the PSA, authored and reviewed by two family law attorneys. (Unprofessional) 4) After withdrawing from the case Buchbauer bill me, for 4 post-withdrawal events. 5) Buchbauer place an illegitimate lien against the marital property. (I viewed this as his way of bullying his client) 6) Peter Buchbauer appears to, block bill his clients, which increases his invoices by 30% to 50%. (Research Predatory Billing) 7) I brought these events to the attention to the Virginia State Bar. In my opinion, they chose to ignore these events by distorting the timeline and not following through with real investigation. In my estimation, it was attorneys protecting attorneys. 8) Divorce is a traumatic time. Attorneys take advantage and want to keep the fight going which provides billing hours. (No integrity)

Always compassionate, professional, and dedicated to supporting her clients.read more

The McCarthy and Akers team presented and executed a very thorough and complete living trust for…read moreus. They were friendly and helpful explaining the process and ensured we made choices that were in our best interest. Estate planning was an overwhelming task we put off for too long. They made it easy and it didn't take long at all. Overall we were very pleased with this office. Thank you!

My Mom and Dad needed extensive, complex estate planning and business entity setups. McCarthy and…read moreAkers was highly recommended from a person we trusted. It turned out to be a very good recommendation. McCarthy and Akers has impeccable professionalism along with courteous and knowledgeable teammates. They worked through sticky issues with calmness and grace. Definitely a "Rolls Royce" level firm. Our experience with McCarthy and Akers was excellent.

Marilyn did a divorce and bankruptcy for me years ago!! She was professional affordable and friendread more

RUN!! If you are a male you will get screwed. She is for…read morethe woman. I fired her because she is in the pocket of Buchbauer. I received NO invoices. I spoke with Andrew Music for the time I hired her. I could not say what she did. Over a year no court date. If you have money watch out!! Awful experience!! If I would have given no stars I would have.

Brenda Waugh (Waugh Law & Mediation) mediated our divorce in 2019, which was contentious and…read moredifficult on many levels, to include dealing with the legal custody of my then 13-year-old son. Relations between my wife (at the time) and me were poor at best. Brenda offered a comforting, professional demeanor and environment that ensured both of us maintained our composure and allowed us to get through the challenging emotional issues associated with dividing physical and financial assets and, more important, determining how to raise my son in a post-divorce world. I was pleased and impressed with everything Brenda did to prepare the required documents to present to the judge for review, consideration, and final decision. I have great respect for Brenda and recommend her without reservation for legal mediation services.

I called her to represent me in an auto accident case. She kept me on the phone for over an hour…read moretalking about her auto wreck, her family life, etc. She then sent me a mountain of paperwork for me to fill out for her to represent me. I filled it out and now she refuses to call me back. I have never encountered such a lack of professionalism and accountability from a legal professional.