CHILD SPECIALIST - Key Persons
Catherine "Kate" Reese focuses her practice on the full spectrum of family law matters in Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Maryland. When Ms. Reese identifies matters that can be resolved more amicably and without the costs of litigation, she highly recommends alternate dispute resolution options such as mediation, arbitration and collaborative law. Ms. Reese is a Virginia Supreme Court Certified Family Law mediator and an experienced collaborative law attorney. She makes it her duty to protect her clients, convey their stories to influential persons in the case, and to negotiate the best outcomes possible for our clients given their circumstances. Ms. Reese is experienced in extensive trial experience in contested divorces, child custody and visitation matters, equitable distribution of assets, child and spousal support, and the negotiation and preparation of prenuptial and marital agreements. Ms. Reese is also known to be an aggressive and resourceful litigator when representing clients' best interests.
Job Titles:
- Attorney & Mediator
- Collaborative Attorney & Certified Family Mediator
Charlie Rowan has practiced law in the dispute resolution field since 1981, following his judicial clerkship with the late Honorable Howard F. Corcoran, United States District Judge for the District of Columbia. Charlie is a Martindale AV rated attorney, the highest available peer rating for ethics and legal ability. Charlie has successfully represented many clients in settlement negotiations and mediation, including, in addition to domestic relations matters, many multi-million dollar commercial and environmental disputes. Since 2013, Charlie has also been a mediator and has mediated many divorce, custody, alimony, child-support, and property-division matters. He is a Virginia Certified Family Mediator, having been certified by the Judicial Council of Virginia (an office of the Supreme Court of Virginia) to mediate the most complex family cases, including divorces. Charlie completed his first Collaborative Practice training in February 2014.
Ms. Harley brings the foundational principles of diligence, passion, creativity and integrity to every case that she handles. Ms. Harley understands the challenging matters her clients face and she values the trust every client puts in her to help them navigate these issues. She is a caring attorney who listens to the needs, hopes, fears and wants of her clients and works creatively and tirelessly to ensure they receive the best results and are heard throughout the process. Ms. Harley's clients are her top priority. She is licensed to practice law in the following jurisdictions: Virginia, District of Columbia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Christine Hissong is a Collaboratively trained family law attorney, certified mediator, and transformative coach practicing in Northern Virginia. A former litigator, Christine has remodeled her practice to serve her clients in out-of-court resolution processes, including mediation, Collaborative divorce, negotiation, and coaching. Over the years, litigation has become more costly, more contentious, and more devastating for families, and access to the Courts has become increasingly difficult. Christine thinks it is imperative that her clients have the opportunity to engage in more cost-effective, respectful, and productive ways to address their Cohabitation Agreements, Pre-nuptial Agreements, separations, and divorces. Further, keeping in line with self-determination and empowerment during transformation, Christine has studied as a transformative coach, and she partners with her coaching clients as they discover their passions and find the answers they need to transform their lives in ways to increase peace and joy. Christine has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a Virginia Super Lawyer. She is a Virginia Lawyers Weekly Honoree in the 2021 class of Influential Woman of Law in Virginia. Christine has been certified as a mediator by the Judicial Counsel of Virginia, and she serves as a roster mediator for the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. She is the past President, past Membership Chair, and current Secretary of the Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia. Christine is the Co-Chair of the Fairfax County Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Section.
Ms. Durst has a passion for families and has worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and economic circumstances. She has advised clients on various family law issues pertaining to divorce such as custody, parenting time, child and spousal support, and property distribution. She has negotiated settlements, drafted marital agreements, and represented clients in court hearings. Additionally, Ms. Durst brings her experience in finance to inform her decisions in family law matters. Having been a litigator, Ms. Durst now uses Mediation and the Collaborative Method to resolve family law issues. Ms. Durst is certified by the Supreme Court of Virginia as a mediator. She provides well-informed, prudent advice to her clients with the sensitivity and compassion they deserve during one of life's most challenging season.
Job Titles:
- Attorney at Law, PC
- Attorney, Mediator
Job Titles:
- Mental Health Professional
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Sara Leiner Schuler is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a Virginia Super Lawyer in Family Law, on the Top 50 Women list, and on the Top 100 Lawyers list, and as a Washington, D.C. Super Lawyer in Family Law. She was also recognized by Northern Virginia Magazine as a Top Lawyer, as well as by Virginia Business Legal Elite. She is a member of the Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia (CPNV), Virginia Collaborative Professionals (VaCP), International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), Virginia Bar Association (VBA), Virginia State Bar (VSB), Fairfax County Bar Association (FBA), Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA), and Virginia Women Attorneys Association (VWAA). Sara Leiner Schuler practices collaborative law, a voluntary team-based process in which a couple chooses to divorce without litigation, to best meet the needs of both parties and any children involved. Sara concentrates her practice on Northern Virginia divorce and family law, specifically in the areas of child custody, prenuptial agreements, child support, divorce and post-divorce matters. With experience in both traditional and collaborative methods of resolving family law matters, Sara determines which approach is best for each individual client and his or her family.
Stephanie J. Smith relocated from Rochester, NY to Washington, D.C. to begin her undergraduate studies in 2001 and has lived in the Northern Virginia area ever since. Ms. Smith attended American University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree, summa cum laude with University Honors in 2004. Ms. Smith earned her law degree from George Mason University School of Law in 2008. Ms. Smith joined the firm of Cooper Ginsberg Gray as a law clerk in the summer of 2007 and became an associate of the firm in October of 2008. Ms. Smith is now a partner with Cooper Ginsberg Gray and continues to serve as dedicated and supportive advocate for her clients, providing honest advice and working diligently to accomplish her clients' interests and goals through Collaborative Divorce. Ms. Smith serves the VaCP Council as Chair of the Public Outreach Committee since 2021, and also is a member of the Board of the Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia (CPNV) where her work focuses on planning monthly programs for the membership.
Job Titles:
- Professional Development Chair