Reviews

I was going through a separation when I obtained Matthew Smith, at Livesay & Myers, as my legal representative. It was truly a difficult time for me. Matt was patient, understanding, and helpful with my case. I am proud and thankful that he was on my side. I had never seen so much dedication, great rapport, impeccable work, and professionalism. Also, his paralegal assistant, Kim, was always there with kindness and a helping hand whenever I needed it during my case. I can’t thank Matt and Kim at Livesay & Myers enough. I would definitely recommend Matthew Smith and Livesay & Myers to anyone in need of legal assistance in a divorce.

– Vicki R.

I cannot praise Livesay and Myers, P.C. enough. I engaged the firm to handle my separation and divorce. (This was after parting ways with another law firm because I did not feel satisfied with their service.) Jamel Rowe, Esq. and Brenda Moreno, Paralegal, both of whom I worked with for several months, are the consummate professionals. Drafts of documents and filings were flawless. Communication was always not only timely, but also very pleasant, even in tense situations with tight timeframes. I could tell that Ms. Rowe put a major effort into reviewing a mountain of case data because she had immediate recall of specific facts and their relevance. Most impressive was Ms. Rowe’s handling of the case during the trial: she had command of the facts and used them effectively; she presented a clear case, emphasizing precisely what I had suggested; and the judge openly praised her ‘accurate and appropriate’ use of the property distribution forms. My recommendation: definitely talk to them about your needs.

– Robert

Matthew Smith and the entire staff at Livesay & Myers were an exceptional team to work on my family law issue. Each provided sound advice and clearly laid out my options at each step in the process. Never looking to push me in any direction, Livesay and Myers was clear that their only goal was to get me through the legal process with both my child’s and my best interest in mind. If any future legal issues arise, I would not consider going to any other firm besides Livesay and Myers. Also I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs legal advice or action in child custody/support matters.

– Casey D.

It is difficult to explain how it feels having to go though the legal process to fight to see your kids. My husband and I were dealing with his high conflict ex who made every single day challenging and hard for us. You will never know how an attorney can impact your life. Every stressful step of the way Jamel Rowe led and guided us with our best interest at heart with such kindness and patience, never judging us. She maintained professionalism and though she did not judge anyone, you still knew for sure she was on our side. She was always available and that played such a huge part in making sure we went about everything the right way. Jamel went above and beyond what we ever expected the outcome would look like and we will be thanking her for a very long time. Our lives have changed drastically because of the successful outcome Jamel achieved for us. Jamel and her team will always be in our happy thoughts.

– Charlotte D.

Andrew Tank is an outstanding attorney. His demeanor is calm, his intellect is razor sharp, and his grasp of not just legalities but human nature is amazing. He has compassion which cloaks a backbone of steel. He is understanding and generous and the best expert to have in a legal crisis or potential crisis. He promotes the return of sanity in an unsettled world and is simply the best attorney all around. Highly recommend him.

– Muffarah M.

I was blindsided by my wife when she asked for a divorce after 25 years and presented me with a separation agreement. I read reviews about Livesay & Myers and decided to contact them. The attorney assigned was Jonathan McHugh. From my first call with him, through the entire process, I constantly realized I could not have made a better choice. Jonathan was knowledgeable and able to answer all my questions. He provided excellent advice and guided me through the process of finalizing the agreement. He was remarkably responsive and returned work items very quickly, whereas my wife’s attorney would drag on for days for very simple matters. Ms. Stanley, Jonathan’s paralegal, was also exceptional. She set up calls between Jonathan and myself and helped with any information I needed. She too, was very responsive and timely, which is a huge bonus in the uncharted waters I found myself in. Sitting around waiting and wondering would have been near impossible to bear, but I never did. I’d also like to mention Ms. Ornelas, the Operations Specialist, who provided me with regular statements of my remaining retainer. All in all, the total cost was surprisingly low, but that’s to be expected with a firm that works as efficiently as Livesay & Myers. I’d like to say I’d use them again, but I don’t plan on ever being in this situation again.

– Powell B.

Livesay & Myers has been a great law firm to work with. Everyone on the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. A special shout out to attorney Brianna Salerno, who I essentially offloaded the entire legal side of things to during this very long and stressful process. She laid everything out clearly from the very beginning and there were no surprises throughout. The results were favorable and I am very satisfied with how my case was handled.

– F. Zhang

I have used Andrew Tank thrice in dealing with my former spouse. He has the depth of insight and knowledge that will be of comfort when in the thick of litigation. He has successfully aided me in discovery motions, successfully defeated a protective order in 30 minutes, and has been a constant source of encouragement and sanity in the insanity of nuances within the family law. The outstanding thing that would stand out the most when I recommend him is he is thorough, organized, moral and ethical.

– Gretchen B.

Jonathan McHugh was my attorney in dealing with my soon to be ex-wife. Jon was both patient and knowledgeable when it came to dealing with my problems. He heard me out and then gave me excellent advice. Jon made me feel more like a friend than a client and I would recommend him to anyone having to go through difficult times such as these. Additionally, Tatyana was always contacting me and providing me updates to my case. She is first rate! Thanks for your assistance in my time of need, Livesay and Myers!

– Doug K.

Brianna Salerno and [paralegal] Caity Wilkinson were both FANTASTIC! They were always professional and very responsive to any questions or concerns that I had throughout the whole process. I would not hesitate to recommend them or the Livesay & Myers practice to anyone living in the NoVa area.

– Martin K.

When going through one of the most difficult times of my life, someone recommended Livesay and Myers to me. I met with Mrs. Ariel Baniowski and was immediately relieved to not be going through it alone! She was straight forward with me from the beginning, never gave me false hope but fought the fight with me every step of the way! I cannot recommend her enough and was more then pleased with the outcome. No one wants to go through divorce or custody battles but with her in your corner you know things will get done! Again, if you need an attorney who will fight the battle and be honest all through the process call Ms. Ariel!

– Debbie

Amanda Stone Swart was a world of help during the dissolution of my marriage. She was very compassionate and caring. I was able to rely on her to have accurate information and quick responses to my questions. She was highly knowledgeable of what I needed to think about in regards to my future financially and the future of my children. Her advice helped establish a custody arrangement that was agreeable to both parties. Amanda was so supportive of me during the most difficult time of my life. Her dependability made me comfortable with the decisions I was making. There is no question that she had my best intentions in mind. I highly recommend her services.

– Carrie

I scouted Ariel Baniowski several months before choosing her. She paired up with Isabella Baldanza who is a paralegal and a great teammate to Ariel. For over a year, they worked tirelessly for me and ALWAYS told me the truth, even if I didn’t want to hear it. Ariel doesn’t give you false hope and she doesn’t let you make mistakes as a client. I was very emotional at times, rightly so, but she always managed to keep me focused and she always had a solid response to what I needed. She is a bright and motivated attorney and I am so glad I chose her. She fought for me and stays professional at all times. I would NEVER want to be her opponent.

– A. Allen

I am extremely pleased with the entire firm of Livesay & Myers, P.C. and how they have handled my needs from the first consultation to the closure of my case. Throughout my legal situation, they handled my proceedings with the utmost professionalism. My needs and concerns were meet with a personal feel. Attorney Amanda Stone Swart was punctual in returning my emails, which put me at ease with my concerns. In addition, Senior Family Law Paralegal, Tatyana S. was very connected at communicating with me, and she provided great service, and let me know everything that was going on in the case. With living and working in Northern Virginia, customer service is hard to find, but I found it with Livesay and Myers. I would very highly recommend this firm and trust that they will meet your needs for proper representation.

– W. Smith

I went through an extremely difficult multi-year divorce and custody fight. Ariel Baniowski was extremely competent, and worked tirelessly to ensure we came out with the best outcome possible. I can’t speak highly enough about Ariel or the team at Livesay and Myers. Again, thank you for what you’ve done for my family.

– Derek

I had the pleasure of hiring a team of women that get the job done, Amanda Stone Swart and Jenny. By no means was my divorce the most complicated in the history of human matrimony, but to me it was the only one that mattered. My mother told me to hire an attorney who was a bulldog, so I needed a team who would not fold like a lawn chair when faced with manipulation. I was confident this is what I got. They never seemed to have any interest in mind, other than mine. From day one, I was comfortable communicating with them and had confidence that I made the right choice. I never had to wait for a response to any question I had. My divorce was complete in less than a year and they made every effort possible to keep the costs down wherever possible. I highly recommend the services of Amanda and Jenny. Thank you. 🙂

– Tony C.

I need a sixth star here. I was honestly thinking long before writing this review how, out of all the professionals I have worked with in my fifty-seven years…all the doctors, lawyers, accountants…my experience with Amanda Kimble was probably the most positive I have ever had. I found her when my spouse, who is himself an attorney, went out and hired not one but two sets of lawyers. I realized I needed representation. Amanda Kimble was MY advocate. All through the process she was on MY side. That feeling is amazing. All the stuff you have to go through in divorcing she explained clearly and patiently (and never condescendingly). My spouse and I are LGBTQ which brought up a whole set of legal issues. She was 100% confident and knowledgeable, and never wavered. She let me have my time in the process while gently keeping things moving along. Her ‘desk side’ manner whenever we met set the perfect tone of lightness and heaviness. It made what could have been a much worse process actually not so bad. From the start to the finish, I felt taken care of, and I am so grateful Amanda represented me. In the end, my spouse, apparently socked with huge bills from his own attorney, asked us to file the papers and finish up. The way Amanda did it (actually showing up in court) was so professional and competent that I think I may have gone up a little in my ex’s estimation for having hired a better attorney than his! Six stars for sure.

– Alan B.

Ms. Cara Wallace, Ms. Membreno and Ms. Arp were amazing to work with throughout the entire process of my divorce! They were very responsive, always returning my emails in a timely manner, and answered all questions about any legal matter I had so well that a regular guy, like myself, could understand! And you always felt like they cared about helping you and defending you. I know they had several clients they were working with, but I always felt like I had their full attention. I hope that I never have to get divorced again but I would call these fine folks back up in a heartbeat if I ever make that mistake again! They say divorce is expensive cause it’s worth it, they have good rates and it’s so worth it, so you shouldn’t pass up working with Cara, Rossimar, and Taryn!

– Jerin B.

Of all the law firms I could have chosen to help me protect my rights as a parent, Livesay & Myers was the best bet! They were very attentive from the beginning and were able to pivot with me when circumstances changed. The staff was professional and courteous and Beth Chavez, my lawyer, was compassionate, realistic, and wasted no time. My situation was resolved within a few weeks and I’m 100% satisfied. If I were to ever need a lawyer again, Livesay & Myers will be my first stop!

– Melissa W.

I retained Joe Menze of Livesay & Myers, P.C. to represent me in a visitation case. The fight for my grandparent rights to see my grandson was extremely important to me and very emotional. The services provided by my attorney Joe Menze and paralegal Tammy Scott were exceptional! They were very responsive to my questions and promptly replied to my emails or returned my calls. Due to their diligence and dedication to my case, I now have a visitation schedule filed with the courts and regularly see my grandson to include overnight visits. They brought joy back into my life!

– Melannie

I came across L&M when I googled best family law firm in Northern Virginia. I had a consultation with Amanda Kimble in May of 2020 when I was in the initial stages of a divorce with a minor child. Ms. Kimble explained the process in Virginia regarding time frame and required action. Fast forward several months when I was ready to move forward. Ms. Kimble and her paralegal, Evelyn Ezeta, helped me complete an agreement prior to filing that defined the custody, visitation, and child support costs. I always felt reassured by their exemplary level of professionalism and responsiveness. When there was a mishap with the opposing counsel who filed the paperwork with a local Post Office without addressee or postage, Ms. Kimble helped coordinate prompt pick up of the remaining copy needed for court. Ms. Ezeta kept me abreast of any changes or modifications needed during the process. This was not at all an easy journey but I knew I had the best attorney in my corner. Further, the agreement was drafted with long term changes in mind as my child grows up. I really felt that my best interest and that of my child was kept in mind. I hope not to need their services in the future but am prepared to contact them should the need arise. I would highly recommend Ms. Kimble and Ms. Ezeta to anyone needed legal expertise in family law.

– Cassie M.

We were looking for a family lawyer for paternity and name change when we came across Livesay & Myers. From the very beginning, Cara Wallace explained to us in detail what to expect, when to expect, and the estimated cost of our case. After getting a clear idea on the process of our case, we decided to hire Ms. Wallace and her paralegal Ms. Arp to represent us, and they did a fantastic job on a timely manner. Both have been very positive, professional, and accessible throughout the process. We thank Ms. Wallace and the practice for their service and would highly recommend them.

– Yoseph.

Beth Chavez was professional and courteous, and did a great job of helping me steer through the storm. The firm was also responsive and professional. Thanks all!

– Carl B.

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this firm. I had the privilege of working with Lindsay Connolly and her paralegal Matthew Hall and words cannot describe how thankful I am for them and all of their dedication and hard work. I hired Lindsay for a difficult custody case. She was always upfront, professional, organized, punctual, and determined to do everything in her power to make sure I received custody of my children. Truthfully, it’s disappointing to know our time has come to an end (as thankful as I am that it is). However, I can confidently say I would trust and recommend Lindsay to take on any case involving child custody and/or child support. I can’t thank her and Matt enough for giving me the peace of mind I was so desperately searching and praying for. If you’re looking for an attorney that is willing to go above and beyond and genuinely cares for their client, this is your woman!

– Casey L.

Sarah Patras was my lawyer for my custody case. Through this difficult process, Sarah and Ashley Constant were top rate communicators. They were always two steps ahead and proactive in getting necessary items for our case. Any questions or concerns were addressed quickly. There is always uncertainty with court cases but it was never a question if my lawyers were prepared. We were very lucky to have such a great team!

– David V.

Jasmine Moore is truly an outstanding attorney. She has a beautiful spirit, fierce nature, and is a true go getter; she was made for this. Ms. Moore represented me in custody/visitation and child support cases. Ms. Moore was super attentive and communicative (she made it feel as though I was her only client). Ms. Moore left no stone unturned and always went above and beyond in representing and advocating for me (and my baby girls). Ms. Moore presented as confident and no nonsense. Ms. Moore’s emotional intelligence is unmatched; she maintains poise and focus at all times. This was of immeasurable value in my extremely high conflict cases. She was just what my family needed. You can count on Ms. Moore being professional, knowledgeable, committed, honest, organized, detail-oriented, proactive, resourceful. She’s in it to win it from the beginning to the end; Ms. Moore is a true champion of justice. I am forever thankful that she was my attorney.

– S.R. Winters

Went to Livesay and Myers Fredericksburg for an uncontested divorce. Ellie Pittman and Ashley Constant were amazing. They walked me through every step, were kind, listened to my concerns and made sure I understood and was comfortable with the entire process. Could not be more satisfied with the team and their handling of my situation.

– Wendi A.

I can’t thank Lindsay Connolly enough for the hard work she put forth to get me child support. She was unable to be there at my court hearing but had matters resolved before I headed into court. If it weren’t for her I would still be fighting to get child support. I am thankful beyond words for her representing me.

– Candice L.

I hired Sarah Patras in regards to a Property Settlement and Custody Agreement, as well as my divorce. Sarah, as well as paralegal Ashley Constant did a fantastic job! They were both very easy to get in contact with, whether by phone or email, always answered my questions thoroughly, and assisted greatly in getting my divorce finalized in a timely manner. I highly recommend both of them!

– Brooke K.

Jasmine Moore was absolutely professional, yet compassionate. She took great care in helping me understand and feel confident through a very trying time for me. I was comfortable working with her and she did her best to make sure of that. I am so thankful for Ms. Moore!

– Carmen F.

Very quick process to get my divorce. Ellie Pittman and her paralegal Ashley Constant were efficient and kept me informed every step of the way. When I would get worried about something, they were very responsive to my fears and assured me everything was moving along as it should. Less than ten months total for my divorce to be final. I would recommend this law firm to anyone seeking assistance!

– Mary H.