Norfolk Lawyers

Brian M. Latuga specializes in Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation across State and Federal courts. As a seasoned trial attorney, his career is marked by relentless advocacy in the courtroom to safeguard the liberty, rights, and family unity of those under serious allegations by the government or individuals. Mr. Latuga's practice spans a comprehensive range of charges, including misdemeanors, felonies, white-collar crimes, sex offenses, drug trafficking, and violent crimes. His prowess is recognized across Federal, General District, Juvenile, Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts in the Commonwealth, attesting to his reputation and expertise. Mr. Latuga's legal acumen is rooted in real-world experience,...

Dominic P. Lascara is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia. He graduated in 1986 from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary after receiving his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, in Business Administration in 1981 from Old Dominion University. Dominic P. Lascara joined the law firm of Roy, Forehand, Laine and Dale, P.C. as an associate in the fall of 1986 after being admitted to the Virginia State Bar. He was admitted to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in 1987. He became a partner...

The son of a government official, Andy grew up in various parts of the country, including Ohio, Colorado, and Texas. He attended the College of William and Mary and graduated in 1988 with a B.A. with honors in Government. Andy then went to the University of Richmond Law School, obtaining his J.D. in 1991. While in law school, he won the moot court competition, the trial competition (twice), and the writing competition. After passing the Virginia bar exam in 1991, Andy worked in one of the largest law firms in the country in its Norfolk office, primarily defending large...

Brandon Zeigler is one of the top-rated Family Law and Small Business attorneys in Virginia Beach, VA. Brandon is focused on providing exceptional, quality legal representation to individuals, families and businesses. The backbone of the American economy is small business. As a principal at Parks Zeigler, PLLC, he is extremely passionate about this area of law. As the owner of three small businesses, he knows first-hand the issues that need to be addressed in forming and running a company. He enjoys working with small business owners to ensure they have the correct documents, contracts, leases,...

James Panagis has spent his legal career in criminal and civil litigation in the state and federal courts of Virginia. With 15 years of trial experience, he has done jury trials in state and federal courts all over Virginia. James is a former Assistant Commonwealth Attorney with Fairfax County and the City of Virginia Beach and has been lead counsel on countless bench and jury trials having litigated Murder, Manslaughter, Robbery, Rape, Malicious Wounding, Embezzlement and a number of other white collar and computer offenses. James has significant appellate experience and has conducted oral argument before the Court of Appeals of...

MONTE KULIGOWSKI IS A VIRGINIA ATTORNEY who concentrates in DUI / DWI, reckless driving, felonies, misdemeanors and serious personal injury cases. He has handled speeding tickets to murder cases. Monte has been defending clients throughout Virginia since 1997. He has won cases at every judicial level of the Commonwealth, including the Virginia Supreme Court (See, White v. Commonwealth, 267 Va. 96 (2004)). Attorney Kuligowski is also admitted to practice in federal District Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He has won cases in both state and federal court. Over the years, he has...

Attorney Jason Swango is a leader in the law arena, representing MEN ONLY in divorce in family law matters through The Firm For Men. As a former military servicemember, Attorney Swango understands the intricacies of military family law, earning a reputation in Hampton Roads as one of the best attorneys for active duty and former military. In addition, Swango Law P.C. offers many practice areas, from DUI, traffic violations, and criminal cases to personal injury and workers' compensation.

Gilbert Carey is an attorney and certified public accountant with Wolcott Rivers Gates. He practices in the areas of Taxation, Tax Resolution and Controversy and Estate Planning, solving tax, business, and legal challenges for individuals, privately held businesses and their owners. He has an Avvo rating of 10 (Superb) and has been recognized as a Top Lawyer of Coastal Virginia by Coastal Virginia Magazine. Mr. Carey regularly advises clients on tax matters and represents clients in tax disputes with the IRS, state tax agencies and in U.S. Tax Court. He provides income tax planning and compliance advice to individuals, trusts, estates...

Sean provides legal counsel to clients when they have a need for guidance on any matters involving Real Estate, Estate Planning, or Business Structuring. He works closely with clients to understand the unique issues they are facing and to customize a solution for their individual needs. Prior to joining Hanger Law, Sean was a commercial real estate broker and specialized in negotiating leases and purchase contracts for retail developments and Class A office space. With nearly a decade of real estate experience as a REALTOR®, Sean brings to Hanger Law his extensive real estate knowledge and unique perspective on the...

Prior to practicing law, I spent a considerable amount of time oversea in my former career as a CIA Operations Officer. After law school I practiced bankruptcy law in the Central District of California, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Divisions. In 2003, I returned to my native state of Virginia and established the Merna Law Group. Since the founding of the firm we have won over 35 awards for customer service, good work, and other accolades. Over my more than 25 years of bankruptcy practice, myself and my attorneys have filed over 10,000 successful cases. PHONE CONSULT AVAILABLE. We...

John was named “Most Inspiring Graduate,” of the Regent University School of Law for his Class. An Honors student, John earned the Ronald L. Fick Book Award for highest academic achievement in:
His outstanding performance in Real Estate Transactions, Property, Contract, and Criminal Law propelled him to finish in the top fifth of the class.
Beyond the books, John established himself as an effective justice-oriented advocate. He represented Virginia on 86 cases, including felony prosecutions, under Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. John interned for the Supreme Court of Virginia and assisted the Legal Advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander for Transportation...

Caryn was born and raised outside Buffalo, New York. Caryn’s first love and passion is reading and writing, which naturally led to a career in law. She attended the State University of New York at Geneseo, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in Philosophy and English. From Geneseo, she moved South for warmer weather and attended Washington and Lee School of Law in Lexington, Virginia, graduating cum laude in 2002. During law school, Caryn was a member of the Editorial Board of the Washington and Lee Law Review.

Having visited her aunt...

As a current firm shareholder for Pender and Coward, P.C., the scope of James T. Lang's practice is in environmental law with an emphasis on counseling residential and commercial waterfront property owners. Additionally Mr. Lang has extensive experience representing business clients in a variety of corporate matters that have become long time clients entrusting him with all of their legal needs. Before joining the firm in 2005, Mr Lang enjoyed a 25-year career in the navy starting as an E-1 Fireman Recruit and finishing as an O-5 Commander, including 16 years as a U.S. Navy JAG Attorney.

Mark L. Stevenson is a skilled attorney and short-sale negotiator barred in Virginia , North Carolina, and Michigan. Currently, his practice focuses on Real Estate, Estate Planning, and Business matters on the Peninsula.

Prior to joining Hanger Law, he spent three years processing and successfully negotiating short sales in some of the hardest hit regions of Michigan, including Flint and metro Detroit. Mark prides himself on facilitating deals with multiple parties to achieve positive results for clients.

A local, Mark graduated from Tallwood High School and went on to get a B.S. in Chemistry at Old Dominion University, graduating cum laude, and...

Chris is a seasoned business attorney and litigator with experience helping businesses in both private practice and as a Corporate Counsel to a large franchisor with over 4,000 franchisees internationally.
Chris has handled commercial disputes for clients in state and federal courts around the country in matters ranging from basic contract disputes to multi-million dollar “bet the company” lawsuits. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was the C.I.O. for an Internet Service Provider in Buffalo, NY.
Chris teaches as a adjunct professor at Regent University.
Chris was named a 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 ‘Rising Star’ by Super Lawyers magazine, a distinction received...

Atty. Kima has a passion for Immigration Law. Being a child of immigrants. understandably, I am motivated by the desire to help keep families together; regardless of who they are or where they come from. Highly effective in developing relationship and network with other professionals to secure and boost client satisfaction. Service is my business. I believe in providing the highest level of service for my clients; always ready to go the extra mile to assist and satisfy. During the over 35-years of practice, spent numerous hours working with individuals,...

I have an extensive litigation practice with a focus on state and federal court litigation in the practice areas of personal injury, Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA); automobile, motorcycle & trucking accidents; wrongful death; medical malpractice; and employment.

Jack Rephan is a Shareholder and Director of the Virginia Beach, Virginia, firm of Pender & Coward, P.C. He is a member of the bars of Virginia and the District of Columbia. After serving as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of claims, Mr. Rephan was in the private practice of law in Washington D.C. from 1962 through 1993. Since 1993, he has practiced law in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area. Mr. Rephan’s legal career has covered a broad range of areas of the law although his current practice has been for many years primarily devoted...

Jeana P. McMurray is an experienced litigator with a strong background in matters of real estate, title, foreclosure, landlord tenant, collections, contracts, wills, estates, and business disputes. Jeana prides herself on being able to swiftly resolve matters for her clients using both alternative dispute resolution and tactful litigation when the situation calls for it.

Jeana has been in private practice representing homeowners, mortgage lenders, loan servicers, banks, landlords, business owners, and families since 2012 and has handled matters ranging from complex mortgage disputes to simple will or deed drafting. Jeana takes a personal interest in each of her clients ensuring...

The Law Firm of John W. Lee, PC has office locations in Newport News, Hampton, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. We have six experienced attorneys on staff that focus their practice in the areas of bankruptcy, family law, estate planning, and criminal defense. With over 90 years of combined legal experience our attorneys are ready to help you face your legal challenges. Our attorneys have helped thousands of people eliminate debt through the bankruptcy process. If you are struggling with garnishments, repossessions, collection calls, or foreclosure you should call us for a free consultation. Our...

Unlike most attorneys, Hunter Hanger entered the legal field to be around people. His primary motivator is to see clients empowered through understanding, and protected by an assertive legal advocate.

Prior to practicing law, he worked in DC on Capitol Hill and in Real Estate in Los Angeles, CA. A natural activator, Hunter works tirelessly to get transactions moved to closing in a timely and exact manner.

Entering Real Estate Law during a significant market downturn, Hunter cut his teeth negotiating short sale deficiencies against Big Banks. The key to success requires skilled navigation of large bureaucracies and mastery of the...

LeeAnne was born and raised in Williamsburg, Virginia. She attended Virginia Tech, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a minor in Psychology. LeeAnne is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. After undergrad, LeeAnne returned to her hometown to attend William & Mary Law School. During law school, she was an Articles Editor for the Business Law Review and a member of the Moot Court team. LeeAnne began her legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable T.J. Hauler, Chief Judge of the Chesterfield Circuit Court. Following her clerkship, she...

Types of cases I handle: Longshore Workers' Compensation Claims, Virginia Workers' Compensation Claims, Social Security Disability Claims, Personal Injury Cases General, Civil Litigation, Drafting of Contracts Contract Based Claims. I am a lawyer and I handle the types of cases I handle because I like to help people. In workers' compensation, Social Security, and personal injury claims, I work on behalf of people who have sustained injuries or disabilities that severely impact their lives and well being. I work with them in an effort to maximize their recovery and help them move on with their lives in a...

Letha Sgritta McDowell is a highly accomplished attorney and shareholder at Hook Law, specializing in various areas of elder law, including estate planning, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection planning, long-term care planning, personal injury settlement consulting, guardianships & conservatorships, and tax law. Her expertise ranges from assisting clients with complex estate planning for high-net-worth individuals with assets over $75 million to developing simple plans for families with limited assets. Ms. McDowell has a distinguished professional background. She served as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a notable position within the field. In...

Hugo’s passion for immigration law stems from his own family’s immigration experience. His father and mother came to the United States from Peru fleeing political persecution, and as he grew up, Hugo spent many summers in Peru. Hugo uses his experience growing up in an immigrant family and time abroad to understand the conditions where his clients or their employees may have come from and the challenges they face when they come to the United States. He uses this understanding to provide better service to his clients.

He has served the immigrant community through the practice of law since 2005. He...

At the law office of Sidney H. Kelsey, Jr., P.C., I bring nearly 40 years of experience to people across Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore and throughout Southeastern Virginia, who have concerns about a criminal matter or a personal injury case, including workers' compensation. My father and grandfather were both attorneys before me. I honed my craft in my father's law practice, gaining substantial trial experience in the state and federal courts throughout Virginia. I have built my practice on a commitment to personal service and attention, working directly with my clients at all stages of the legal process. ...

I practice in military jurisdictions only, not civilians courts. I am a retired Lieutenant Colonel and I served as both a line officer and a JAG. I began my military career as a platoon leader in the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) and 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1998, I became a Judge Advocate and since then I have focused on court-martial law. As a result of this experience, I know the military and I know the court-martial process. I have spent well over a decade perfecting the courtroom skills and legal knowledge required to win tough...

Barry Rowell is a partner at Klein Rowell & Shall PLLC (KRS Law). Prior to forming this new partnership, Barry was a partner at Valverde & Rowell, PC, from 2006 to 2019. From 1995 to 2006, Barry was employed with a Fortune 50 Company, working in the human resources and legal department. Barry has successfully responded to and mediated hundreds of charges of employment discrimination filed with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Fair Employment Practice Agencies in more than 40 states. Barry has a wide range of experience advising corporate clients on complex employment issues including...

ANNA ERNEST, the proud owner of Ernest Law Group PLC, is a highly sought-after and recognized advocate. She represents Clients in complex matters in the family law, personal injury, and immigration. She has extensive courtroom experience in federal and state litigation. Ms. Ernest is regarded as a determined, assertive, innovative, and client-dedicated attorney. For her substantial accomplishments, Ms. Ernest has been consistently voted by her peers as a “Super Lawyer,” named “Virginia’s Legal Elite,” recognized as a “Top Lawyer” by Coastal Virginia Magazine, selected to the list of “Top 40 Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers, received...

My practice area is focused primarily on criminal defense and traffic defense for the Hampton Roads/Virginia Beach area. I handle primarily DUI, speeding and reckless driving cases.

I live in Yorktown with my husband, a retired Navy veteran, with our two young children. We keep busy with church activities and family!

If you need assistance or have a question, please give me a call at 804-554-4444.

Tatiana Mendez is an attorney in Virginia whose practice focuses primarily on immigration, family, criminal, and traffic cases. Mendez began her legal career as an intern for the Federal Public Defender's Office in Norfolk where she assisted in the defense of a variety of clients and conducted interviews in Spanish. Since then she has practiced law all over Hampton Roads and gained experience in a wide variety of cases. In addition to her legal experience, Ms. Mendez is fluent in Spanish and earned a top score on the International Fluency Exam for Spanish Translators.

After finishing law school, I started a company focused on teaching new fathers (by birth or adoption) skills and abilities they may not have had a chance to learn. Eventually I closed that business in order to work in the area of foreclosure prevention law due to the increasingly common foreclosure (which in Virginia can happen very quickly). I have chosen to continue to help people in need at my own law firm so I can give my clients the attention they deserve.

Anna focuses her practice on individual consumer and business bankruptcies, tax compliance and controversy, corporate and business law, and estate planning and administration. Prior to joining Harry Jernigan CPA Attorney, P.C., Mrs. Dunkum was Staff Attorney for the Chapter 13 Trustee for the Middle District of North Carolina- Greensboro Division. Mrs. Dunkum is admitted to practice in the United States Bankruptcy Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina and the Eastern District of Virginia as well as all courts in the State of North Carolina and the Commonwealth of Virginia and U.S. Tax Court. ...

Before practicing as an attorney, I worked in greater Boston, MA and in Washington, DC in certified public accounting firms and currently hold my CPA license. I joined my law firm in 1998 and have been practicing and advising business owners and individuals ever since. In 2015, I graduated from the University of Alabama with my Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Business Transactions. In 2018, I became certified as an exit planning advisor by the Exit Planning Institute to better serve and assist my business clients.

I focus my practice areas in working with business owners and their advisors...

Ra Hee Jeon is a Pender & Coward attorney focusing her practice on family law and immigration matters. Born and raised in South Korea, she is bilingual in Korean and English and skillful in Spanish. Ra Hee routinely drafts and reviews prenuptial agreements and property settlement agreements and advises her clients in complex contested divorce, uncontested divorce, and child custody/visitation/support issues. She actively participates in negotiation efforts to zealously represent her clients and to serve the best interests of any children involved. Ra Hee represents foreign-born and U.S. citizen clients in a variety of immigration matters and helps them navigate the...

Former JAG

Mr. Louie focuses his practice on traffic defense in Virginia Beach and the greater Hampton Roads area. His firm regularly defends those charged with reckless driving, DUI, hit and run, racing, and other traffic offenses. Mr. Louie also conducts mediations to help people in conflict. Visit www.PeterLouieLaw.com to see some of our case results.

"AV" - "Preeminent" Martindale Rating A Virginia Beach native, Ted was featured on 60 Minutes (Oct. 4, 2009) for his work involving environmental contamination from coal ash/ fly ash waste. And thanks to his AV® Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating from the premier peer review process for the legal profession. He also enjoys the highest client review rating. In addition to his defense of health care providers; Ted tries lawsuits involving plaintiff’s catastrophic injury, brain damage, paralysis and environmental cases in state and federal court in Virginia and in Pennsylvania. He was first admitted in Pennsylvania in1988...