Mary G. Commander

Mary G. Commander

Attorney & Certified Mediator
  • Arbitration & Mediation, Divorce, Family Law ...
  • Virginia
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Biography

MARY G. COMMANDER has been engaged in the practice of law in Norfolk, Virginia and surrounding areas since 1981. She is well-known and respected in the Hampton Roads area for her proficiency in all matters of Family Law and her diligent and no-nonsense approach in court. Ms. Commander is a certified Norfolk Master Gardener Volunteer and actively involved in the rescue of former racing greyhounds (with two of her own at home).

Mary Commander’s Education & Experience:

She is a magna cum laude graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she served for three years as an elected member of the University Senate. In 1981, she graduated with honors from University of Richmond School of Law in Richmond, Virginia. During law school, she was a member of the Law Review Staff (chosen based on grades and a writing competition), Moot Court Board (chosen based on brief writing and oral argument competition) and McNeill Law Society (honorary academic society). She also had articles selected for publication in the University of Richmond Law Review.

Following graduation, Ms. Commander served a one year judicial clerkship (1981-82) with The Honorable John A. MacKenzie, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia.

For 18 years, Ms Commander served as an Administrative Hearing Officer for the State of Virginia in addition to her regular practice. She conducted hearings and decided cases involving employee grievances and terminations.

For 7 years, Ms. Commander served as a substitute judge sitting in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts and General District Courts throughout the Hampton Roads area on a regular basis.

Practice Areas
Arbitration & Mediation
Business Arbitration, Consumer Arbitration, Family Arbitration
Divorce
Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
Juvenile Law
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Virginia
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Professional Experience
Managing Partner
Commander Law, Attorneys And Mediators
Current
Firm concentrating on Family Law and Mediation.
Education
University of Richmond School of Law
J.D.
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Honors: Law Review; Moot Court Board; McNeil Law Society
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Old Dominion University
B.A. (1977)
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Old Dominion University Logo
Awards
Top 100 Lawyers of 2017 in Virginia
Superlawyers
Family Law Section, Volunteer of the Year Award
Virginia State Bar
Finalist
National Association of Women Business Owners, Southeastern Virginia
Virginia Lawyers’ Weekly Leaders in the Law Selection
Virginia Lawyers Weekly
Jefferson Awards, Regional Winner
American Institute for Public Service
Woman of the Year in the Field of Law
YWCA
Women in Business Achievement Award
Inside Business Magazine
Community Peacemaker Award
Community Mediation Center
American Jurisprudence Award, Criminal Law
T.C. Williams School of Law
Listed Among “Legal Elite” in Family Law
Virginia Business
Current and Multiple Years
Listed Among “Legal Elite” in Alternative Dispute Resolution SuperLawyers Listing in Family Law
Virginia Business
2006 - 2017
Top 50 Women Lawyers of 2012-2017 in Virginia
Superlawyers
Top Lawyers
Coastal Virginia Magazine
Professional Associations
American Bar Association
Current
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• Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (Family Law Section)
Current
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• Virginia Women Attorney’s Association (Past President, Tidewater Chapter)
Current
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Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association
Current
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Virginia Mediation Network
Current
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Virginia Collaborative Professionals
Current
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Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Tidewater
Current
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International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Current
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Academy of Professional Family Mediators
Current
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James Kent, American Inns of Court
Current
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Life Member, Friends of the Old Dominion University Library
Current
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Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Association
Current
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Delta Theta Phi
Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
“Adoption Procedures and Forms For Virginia Lawyers”
Virginia CLE
“Annual Review of the Law-Workers’ Compensation”
University of Richmond Law Review
“Legal Ethics in Mediation”
Virginia Family Law Quarterly
“Minimum Competency Testing”
University of Richmond Law Review
Certifications
Certified Circuit Court and J&DR Court Family Mediator
Virginia Supreme Court
Certified Guardian Ad Litem
Virginia Supreme Court
Websites & Blogs
Website
Website
Contact & Map
5442 Tidewater Drive
Norfolk, VA 23509
Telephone: (757) 533-5400
Fax: (757) 533-5155