Barnes & Diehl, P.C.
Family Law | Serving Richmond, VA
800-626-9310Get experienced legal representation for Family issues. Clients in Richmond, Virginia can turn to Barnes & Diehl, P.C. for help.
Experienced Guidance For Life's Legal Issues
Get experienced legal representation for Family Law and Criminal Defense issues. Clients in Richmond, Virginia can turn to Barnes & Diehl, P.C. for help.
Since 1978, Barnes & Diehl, P.C., has become known throughout Virginia for reliable counsel and representation. Our attorneys work hard to deliver results for our clients in a variety of areas of civil and criminal law, including family law, estate planning, driving while intoxicated (DUI) defense and the defense of violent and white collar crimes.
Beginning with sound preparation in their areas of focus, our lawyers have built on this foundation with extensive experience in negotiations, trials and appeals. When people become clients of Barnes & Diehl, their assigned lead attorneys also draw on the experience of other lawyers at the firm.
Contact us today if you need legal assistance with any of the following:
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Criminal Law
- DUI/DWI
- Estate Planning
- Elder Law
- Appellate Practice
Call 800-626-9310 today to arrange your initial consultation.
Attorney Edward D. Barnes
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia, 1971
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 1972
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1972
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1974
- Virginia Supreme Court, 1971
Education:
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- J.D. – 1972
- Dean’s Advisory Council
- 1870 Society
- The Robins Society
- The Charter Associates – The Founders Society
- The Gothic Society
- The Rectors Club
- The Spider Club
- The Judiciary Gift Society
- East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- B.A. – 1966
- Honors: Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Officer, Fort Belvoir
- 1967
- Honors: Leadership, Academic and Honor Graduate
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Chairman, The National Center for Family Law Studies (2008-Present)
- Member, Family Law Section, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (2006- Present)
- Judge, National Trial Advocacy Competition, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (2006)
- Member, Richmond Bar Association
- Member, Family Law Section - Virginia State Bar (2006-present)
- Member, Family Law Section - Virginia Bar Association (2006-present)
- Member, Law Practice Management Division - Virginia Bar Association (2006)
- Leadership Patron, Virginia Bar Association Foundation (2005)
- Past Chair, Board of Governors, Virginia State Bar, Family Law Section (2005)
- Liaison from American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers to Supreme Court of Virginia Committee to implement a Virginia Family Court (2005)
- Member, Regional Courts Guidelines Committee to set Guidelines for the Trial and Practice related to family law cases (2003-2004)
- National Chairman - University of Richmond School of Law Fund- (1999-2002)
- Lifetime Member, East Carolina University, Alumni Association
- Virginia Bar Association Committee, Special Issues (2000)
- Dean's Advisory Council - University of Richmond School of Law
- Adjunct Faculty, University of Richmond Law School (1978-1979) (2012-2018)
- Adjunct Facility, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
- Lecturer - ECPI University
- Frequent Speaker - Virginia Continuing Legal Education Seminars (Statewide) (for over 25 years)
- Associate Editor, The Virginia Bar Association Journal (1975)
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney Lawrence D. Diehl
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia, 1974
Education:
- William and Mary School of Law, Williamsburg, Virginia
- J.D. - 1974
- Law Review, William & Mary Law Review, Associate Editor, 1973, 1974
- Bucknell University
- B.A., Political Science & Russian - 1971
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers [(1990-present; Member, Legislative Committee, 1991 (Chairman, 1993-2000)]; Virginia Chapter (President, 1999-2001)
- Member, Board of Governors, Family Law Section, Virginia State Bar (1988-1995) (Chairman)
- Legislative Subcommittee, 1988-1996, Sec. & Treasurer 1992-93, Vice-Chairman 1993-94, Chairman 1994-95)
- Member, ABA Family Law Section, Federal Legislative Task Force Committee (1994-98)
- Member, Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association (1992-current) (Sec.-Treas., 1995-96, Vice-President 1996-97, President 1997-98)
- Board of Directors, Southside Virginia Legal Service, Inc., 1974- 1998 (President, 1978-1987)
- Board of Directors, Virginia Poverty Law Center, Inc., 1985-1991 (President, 1987-1990)
- Conference Member, Boyd-Graves Conference (1990 - current)
- Member, Virginia State Professionalism Course Faculty, Virginia State Bar (2001-2004)
- Member, Virginia Family Law Bar Coalition, Virginia Bar Association (2000-current)
- Member, Subcommittee of Child Support Enforcement Advisory Committee, Sec't of Health & Human Services,
- Guidelines For DCSE Representation in J&DR Court (1989)
- Primary Author/Drafter, SB90/HB606-1990 Legislative Amendments to §20-107.3 of the Code relating to transmutation/classification of property in divorce. Also drafted "Comments And Analysis" of statute which was primary legislative history of Amendments
- Chairman, House Joint Resolution No. 57, Legislative Study Committee on Equitable Distribution (Virginia General Assembly, 1990-91)
- Chairman, House Joint Resolution No. 430, Legislative Study of Survivor Annuities in Pension and Life Insurance (Virginia General Assembly, 1991-92)
- Member, Family Court Planning Advisory Committee, Supreme Court of Virginia (1993-95)
- Co-Chairman, House Joint Resolution No. 439, Legislative Study on Rehabilitative Alimony (Virginia General Assembly, 1995-96)
- Member, House Joint Resolution No. 141, Co-author House Document No. 43 (1999), Legislative Study on Shared Custody Child Support Guidelines (Virginia General Assembly, 1998-99)
- Member, Child Support Quadrennial Review Panel, Secretary of Health and Human Resources (1999)
- Member, VBA Family Law Coalition (1996-current)
- Member, Child Support Triennial Review Panel, Secretary of Health and Human Resources (2001-2004)
- Member, Child Support Quadrennial Guideline Review Panel, Appointed by Governor Mark Warner (2005-2008)
- Member, Child Support Quadrennial Guideline Review Panel, Appointed by Governor Terry McCauliffe (2014-2018)
- Primary Drafter, Statute on Life Insurance for Spousal Support, HB2289 (2017), §20-107.1:1.
- Primary Drafter, Statute on Spousal Support and Retirement, SB640 (2018), §20-107.1 and 109
- Co-Drafter, Statute on Mixed Child Support Guidelines, HB1361 (2018), §20-108.2
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney Craig W. Sampson
Bar Admissions:
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2004
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1999
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 1997
- Virginia, 1993
- Virginia Supreme Court
Education:
- University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia
- J.D. - 1993
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
- B.A. - 1990
- Major: English Literature
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Richmond Criminal Bar Association, Past Member
- Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association, President, 2016 to 2017
- Virginia State Bar, Family Law Section
- Federal Bar Association, Richmond, President
- Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Past Board Member
- Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association, Treasurer
- Greater Richmond Juvenile Bar Association, Past Member
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Past Member
- Family Law Board of Governors, 2020-present
- Family Law Section, Virginia State Bar
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney Michael HuYoung
Bar Admissions:
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia
- Virginia Supreme Court
Education:
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- J.D. - 1982
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
- B.A. - 1979
- Honors: With Distinction
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America - The Trial Lawyers Honor Society (Top 1/2% of Lawyers in America) (2012-Current)
- Fellow, The Virginia Law Foundation (Top 1% of Lawyers in Virginia) (2010-Current)
- Virginia Bar Association's Board of Governors (2014-2017
- Virginia Bar Association (Criminal Law Council - 2011-2016; Chair of the Criminal Law Section - 2011-2013; Member 2011-Current)
- Virginia State Bar Executive Committee (2015-2016)
- Virginia State Bar Council (2010-2016
- Virginia State Bar Law School Professionalism Program (Faculty, 2011-2015)
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (Board of Governors, Chairman of Criminal Law Section, Representative to the Crime Commission of the General Assembly, Criminal Legislation Committee, Chairman of Public Service Committee, Continuing Legal Education Committee, and Annual Convention Committee)
- Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Board of Directors of the Law School Association at the University of Richmond
- Henrico Bar Association (Board of Directors, Liaison to the Courts Committee, and Chairman of the Court Docent Committee), Board of Directors, Liaison to the Courts Committee, and Chairman of the Court Docent Committee (2000-2004)
- Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Bar Association
- Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association
- Old Dominion Bar Association
- Richmond Criminal Bar
- Virginia State Bar (Criminal Law Section)
- Virginia Bar Association (Criminal Law Section)
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (Criminal Law Section)
- Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Virginia (APABA-VA)
- Henrico Bar Association
- Chesterfield Bar Association
- Virginia State Bar’s Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course Faculty, Invited to serve by Chief Justice Leroy R. Hassell, Sr. of the Virginia Supreme Court in conjunction the Virginia State Bar (2008-2011)
- Virginia State Bar Diversity Conference (Chair - 2011-2012; Board of Governors - 2010-2016; Member 2010-Current)
- Virginia CLE (Continuing Legal Education) Faculty (2014-Current)
- Virginia Criminal Justice Conference (Steering Committee - 2005-Current; Co-Chair 2007-2009)
- Advisory Committee of the Virginia General Assembly’s Joint Commission on Technology (JCOTS) studying legislative computer crime bills introduced during the 2013 Session and referred to JCOTS for study
- Appointed to the Virginia Model Jury Instructions Committee for the Drafting a Model Jury Instruction on Eyewitness Testimony (2013)
- Governor’s Task Force for Drafting New Legislation pursuant to the United States Supreme Court’s Decision in Melendez-Diaz to present to the Special Session of the General Assembly (2009)
- Board of Governors of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (2008-2011)
- Appointed to the Virginia State Bar Task Force on Diversity (2008-2010)
- Board of Directors for the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Virginia (APABA-VA) (2008-2014)
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney Melissa S. Vanzile
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia, 2004
Education:
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- J.D. - 2004
- Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, Virginia
- B.A. - 2001
- Honors: Political Science Scholastic Honors Society
- Major: Political Science
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Past President, Metropolitan Richmond Women's Bar Association, Past President
- Member of Richmond Bar Association, Member
- Member of Henrico County Bar Association, Member
- Past Member of Chesterfield County Bar Association, Member
- Past Board Member of Metropolitan Richmond Women’s Bar Association, Member
- Member of Virginia State Bar
- Past Member of the Innsbrook Rotary Club
- Past Member of St. Joseph's Villa Flagler Home
- Past Board Member of Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association
- Past Co-Chair of Annual Bench Bar Conference
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney John K. Karanian
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia, 2004
- Virginia Supreme Court
- Court of Appeals of Virginia
Education:
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- J.D. - 2004
- University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
- Psy.D. - 1997
- Major: Clinical Psychology
- Georgetown University, Washington, DC
- B.A.
- Major: Psychology
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Virginia State Bar
- Virginia State Bar, Family Law Section
- Metropolitan Richmond Family Law Bar Association
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
- Metro Richmond Bar Association, Judiciary Committee (2009)
- Chesterfield County Bar Association
- Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Chicago, IL) 2023
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney Anne L. Roddy
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia, 2008
Education:
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- Juris Doctor - 05/2008
- Honors: Pro Bono Publico Award Recipient, Public Interest Law Association
- Law Journal, Richmond Journal of Law and Public Interest, Associate Member
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts - 2005
- Honors: Athletic Director’s Honors Recipient
- Honors: Provost’s Honors Recipient
- Major: Public Law
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Chesterfield Bar Association, President, 2017-2018, Executive Committee, 2013-2017, Wills for Heroes, 2017, Richmond Bench Bar Representative, 2012
- Metro Richmond Women's Bar Association, Member, Judicial Interview Committee 2021
- Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association, Judicial Interview Committee 2021
- Greater Richmond Bar Foundation, Pro Bono Co-Champion, No Fault Divorce Triage 2021-present
- Virginia Bar Association, Domestic Relations Counsel, Young Lawyer Representative
- Licensed to practice Law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of California (currently inactive)
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney Ronald S. Evans
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia, 1976
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
Education:
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- J.D.
- Law Review, University of Richmond Law Review, Decisions and Legislation Editor
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- B.A. - 1972
- Major: History and Political Science
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Family Law Coalition (2006-present), 2007 to Present
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, VA Chapter President 2016-2018, Virginia Chapter President, 2015 to 2017
- Board of Governors: Family Law Section of VA State Bar 1988-1992, Chair 1991-1992
- VA State Bar, Chair, 1991-1992
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney M. Alicia Finley
Education:
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- J.D. - 1997
- Moore College of Art & Design
- 1977
- Major: Art History and Education
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- President, Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association, Present
- Past Treasurer, Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association
- Committee member, Bench Bar Conference, 2004
- Past Representative, Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association, Chesterfield County Area Representative
- Member, Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association
- Member, Henrico Bar Association
- Member, Virginia Bar Association
- Member, Chesterfield Bar Association
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney Brandy M. Poss
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia, 2003
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
Education:
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- J.D. - 2003
- Honors: cum laude
- Law Review, University of Richmond Law Review, Senior Staff Member, 2001, 2003
- Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- B.S. - 1999
- Major: Biology
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Chesterfield County / City of Colonial Heights 2017 Rule of Law Program Planning Committee
- Bench-Bar Conference Planning Committee (Richmond Bar Association)
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney Jennifer E. Crossland
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia Supreme Court, 1992
- Court of Appeals of Virginia
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education:
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- J.D. - 1991
- Honors: Moot Court Board
- Honors: President and Treasurer, Phi Delta Phi
- Sweet Briar College
- A.B. - 1986
- Honors: cum laude
- Cambridge University, Emmanuel College
- Summer Program - 1989
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Virginia Bar Association, Member
- Richmond Bar Association, Past Member, Finance Committee
- Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association, Former President
- Metro Richmond Women's Bar Association, Former Member, Board of Directors
- Sweet Briar College Alumnae Board, Former Member
- Sweet Briar College Alumnae Club, Former President
- Sweet Briar College Board of Directors, Former Member
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney Jacquelyn “Jackie” Gerlach
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia Supreme Court
- Virginia
- Court of Appeals of Virginia
Education:
- William and Mary School of Law, Williamsburg, Virginia
- Juris Doctor
- College of William and Mary
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts
- Honors: cum laude
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Chesterfield Bar Association, President, 2024-2025
- Virginia State Bar, Member
- Chesterfield Bar Association, Secretary, 2022-2023
- Chesterfield Bar Association, Vice-President, 2023-2024
- Law School Academic Scholarship Recipient VBA Community Servant and Fellowship Award National Society of Collegiate Scholars
- National Government Honors Society
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney Robert K. Miller
Bar Admissions:
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, 2017
- U.S. Tax Court, 2016
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 2016
- Virginia, 2015
Education:
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia, 2015
- J.D.
- Virginia Tech, 2012
- B.A.
Attorney Richard P. Wiley
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia, 2019
Education:
- Liberty University School of Law, Lynchburg, Virginia
- Juris Doctor - 2019
- Liberty University
- Bachelor of Science in Prelaw - 2016
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Tournament Champion and Best Brief, internal moot court competition Liberty University School of Law, 2018
- Tournament Champion, ABA Appellate Advocacy Regional Tournament, 2019
Languages Spoken:
- English
Attorney Robert L. Harris
Bar Admissions:
- Virginia Supreme Court, 1991
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education:
- The College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law, Williamsburg, Virginia
- J.D. - 1991
- Honors: Author, Redefining the Harm of Peremptory Challenges, William and Mary Law Review
- Law Review, William and Mary Law Review, Editor
- College of William & Mary
- B.A. - 1984
- Major: English
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Virginia State Bar
- Virginia Bar Association
- Richmond Bar Association
Languages Spoken:
- English