John Byrnes
John E. Byrnes graduated from the George Mason University School of Law, where he was selected to be in the Dean's Scholar Program and was also chosen to be the Lead Articles Editor for the George Mason University Independent Law Review. Since his completion of a one-year clerkship for the Honorable J. Howe Brown of the Fairfax County Circuit Court in August of 1996, John's law practice has concentrated solely on the area of family law and divorce.
John joined the predecessor to this law firm in January 1998, and he became a principal in the firm in January 2002. John provides his clients with candid advice - be it favorable or unfavorable - and he explains the benefits and negatives that are associated with litigation, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution alternatives.
John's practice has touched on virtually every aspect of family law. He has handled complex equitable distribution matters, tracing issues, custody cases, relocation cases, child and family abuse matters, enforcement of agreements and decrees, paternity issues, child and spousal support matters, the division of various types of retirement benefits, and the negotiation of premarital agreements, separation agreements, and marital settlement agreements. John has also worked with a number of the leading experts in forensic accounting, child custody evaluations, and vocational rehabilitation assessments. While John likes to earnestly try to settle cases, he recognizes that an amicable resolution is not always possible and that litigation may be required. John has practiced in all of the local Virginia circuit courts and juvenile district courts ranging from Fairfax County, Arlington County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Fauquier County, and the City of Alexandria.
John works closely with his clients to understand their goals and provide them with legal advice. He adheres to the highest professional standards, and recognizes the need for civility and professionalism in litigation and negotiation despite the adversarial nature of the process.
John was recently selected as Chair of the 5th District Disciplinary Committee of the Virginia State Bar, on which he has served for two years. John has lectured for the Virginia CLE, attended the Bar Leadership Institute, and has been recognized by Legal Services of Northern Virginia for providing pro bono legal services. John is a past Chair of the Fairfax Bar Association's Membership Committee, and he also served on the Fairfax Bar Association's CLE committee. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the Fairfax Bar Association.