Bio
For more than 20 years, Leigh has been helping families and individuals navigate matters that include divorce, custody, visitation, spousal support, child support, property division and protective orders. She represents clients throughout Northern Virginia in all aspects of domestic relations litigation. While litigation is a fundamental aspect of her practice, the majority of her cases settle outside of court. It is Leigh’s goal to help clients reach an agreement in the most efficient way possible. Doing so aids in preserving relationships and minimizing adverse effects.
Every family law case takes its own unique path through the legal system and into resolution. Ideally, the people involved in the case are able to determine the outcome, as opposed to a judge making the final decision. Leigh provides sound advice to clients on how to resolve disputes in a way that protects their best interests. Time and again, she empowers people to develop their own agreements and steers them onto the best possible path for the future. Leigh is trained in the collaborative divorce process and is also a zealous advocate for her clients in court.
- Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Attorney of the Day Program
- Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center, Volunteer
- Virginia, 2003
- US District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 2020
- George Mason University School of Law, J.D., Arlington, Virginia
- The College of William and Mary, B.A., Williamsburg, Virginia
- Tier 1 firm, Washington, DC for Family Law by U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms,” 2021, 2023-2025
- Washingtonian Magazine, Top Lawyer, 2024
- Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent
- Arlington Magazine’s Top Attorney List, 2022
- The Best Lawyers in America©, Family Law, since 2020
- Top Lawyers – Family Law, Northern Virginia Magazine, 2011, 2022-2024
- Super Lawyers, Virginia, since 2020
- Super Lawyers, Washington DC, since 2020
- Virginia Business, Legal Elite in Family Law/Domestic Relations, 2020
- Fairfax Bar Association’s Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award, 2019
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers-Virginia/D.C., 2012-14
- James Keith Public Service Award, Fairfax Bar Association, 2013
- President’s Award, Fairfax Bar Association, 2007 and 2009
- Virginia State Bar
- Fairfax Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Immediate Past President (President 2023 – 2024)
- Past Chair, Circuit Court Committee
- Past Chair, Pro Bono Committee
- Fairfax Law Foundation, Firm Fellow
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
- Virginia Bar Association
- Arlington County Bar Association
- Virginia Women Attorneys Association
- Past President, Northern Virginia Chapter
- Rule 6.1 Society of Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Gold Member
- Council to End Domestic Violence, Fairfax County, Appointee/Council Member
- Court Process Workgroup, Co-Chair, 2019-2024
- Fairfax Local Access to Justice Committee
- Fairfax Self-Help Resource Center Committee
- Speaker at Done with Divorce® and Second Saturday® divorce workshops and webinars, including Agreement Modification and Divorce Coping, Divorce Law, Mediation, and Financial Issues and Asset Division, since 2020
- Presenter and Co-Author, Attorney’s Fees for Your Client and From Your Client, Virginia CLE, 2024
- Presenter and Co-Author, Attorney’s Fees: Getting Them for Your Client and Yourself, FBA, 2016, 2023
- Moderator, 2022-2023, FBA Annual Convention, various programs/CLEs
- Moderator, Conciliation CLE, FBA 2023
- Presenter, Night in Service, Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center and FBA Young Lawyers Section, 2023-2024
- Moderator, 2020 Annual Ultimate View from the Bench CLE, FBA, 2020
- Assisting Our Community: Neighborhood Outreach Program Training, Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center, 2021
- Moderator, 2020 Annual Ultimate View from the Bench CLE, FBA, 2020
- A Complete Guide to Child Custody Representation in Juvenile Court, Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center, 2020
- Contributor, Fairfax Circuit Court Practice Manual, FBA, 2018
- Panelist, Stop the Violence: Family Abuse Protective Orders & the Attorney of the Day Program, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, 2017
- Presenter & Contributor, A Lawyer’s Guide to Child Custody Representation,Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center, 2016
- Presenter, Moderator, & Contributor to various continuing legal education seminars (CLEs), FBA Domestic Relations Sub-Committee of the Circuit Court Committee, 2014-18
- Contributor, Judges Are from Mars and Family Law Attorneys Are from Venus, FBA, 2014
- Presenter & Contributor, Neighborhood Outreach Program, Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center, 2008, 2012, 2013, and 2016
- Presenter, Annual Case Law Update, VTLA, 2008
- Co-Chair and Moderator, Northern Virginia Women Attorneys Association Legislative Reception Program on Mental Health Illness in the Wake of the Virginia Tech shooting, which received the Virginia State Bar Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations’ Certificate of Achievement, 2008.