Stephanie J. Smith

I graduated from law school and began working as an attorney with Cooper Ginsberg Gray in 2008. Since that time, my practice has focused exclusively on family law matters. This includes divorce; property division; custody, visitation, and support matters; post-divorce modification and enforcement matters; premarital agreements, protective orders; and uncontested adoptions. I have also been trained in the Collaborative Divorce Process since 2013, which allows me to represent my clients in the context of a professional team that is dedicated to reaching a resolution outside of court.

I take pride in establishing an open and trusting attorney-client relationship to ensure an honest dialogue about all issues. In particular, I take the time to provide each client with a clear explanation of the legal process and thoroughly discuss and evaluate all options available to ensure that my clients are informed and feel prepared to make important decisions. 

If possible, I strive to reach reasonable out-of-court settlements and avoid protracted, costly litigation. When settlement is impossible, I will rely on my considerable courtroom experience to advocate for my clients’ interests in court.  

Our entire firm has an unwavering commitment to ethics and professionalism in this practice, and to service outside of the office. I served as an attorney member of a Disciplinary Committee of the Virginia State Bar for 7 years, and in 2023 I was admitted into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. I am also an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, where I currently co-teach a Virginia Family Law course, and I have proudly served on the Advisory Board for the Stronger Together Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program since 2020. In addition, 

I enjoy presenting to local and state-wide bar associations on various family law topics and serving as a Board member for both the Northern Virginia and Virginia statewide Collaborative Divorce organizations.  

Although a challenging and often emotionally charged area of law, I find the practice of family law to be incredibly rewarding. I appreciate and take seriously my role in helping clients navigate through what is often one of the most difficult experiences of their lives.

FAIRFAX FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Partner, Cooper Ginsberg Gray, PLLC (2019 – present)
• Associate Attorney, Cooper Ginsberg Gray, PLLC (2008 – 2018)
• Adjunct Professor, Family Law, Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University (2017-present)

EDUCATION

• Juris Doctor Degree, George Mason University School of Law (2008)
• Bachelor of Arts Degree (summa cum laude), American University (2004)
  • Honors in Justice 

LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Virginia State Bar
  • 5th District Disciplinary Committee (2014 – 2022)
• District of Columbia Bar Association
• Fairfax Bar Association
  • Juvenile and Domestic Relations Committee Co-Chair (2018 – present)
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Virginia Chapter (2023-present)
• Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia
  • CPNV Board, President 
• Virginia Collaborative Professionals
  • Public Outreach Committee, Chair (2020 – present)
• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals 

RECOGNITION

• Best Lawyers in America (2023-present)
• Recognized multiple times by the Washingtonian, Northern Virginia Magazine, Arlington Magazine and Virginia Business Elite Magazine as one of the DC Metro Area’s top family law attorneys
• Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2015 – 2023), Super Lawyer (2024-present)

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS/PUBLISHED WORKS

• Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Annual Convention, Toxic Advocacy in High Conflict Litigation: Are you Part of the Problem (April 2024)
• Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia, Triggers that Make Attorneys Protective of Clients, and What Is ‘Zealous Advocacy’ in Collaborative Cases?
  (February 2024)
• Fairfax Bar Association, Using Social Media & Electronic Evidence in Court (April 2023)
• Virginia CLE, 38th Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar, Understanding Full Disclosure and Transparency In Collaborative Divorce Cases (April 2022)
• Prince William County Bar Association, Spousal Support Essentials (February 2022)
• Fairfax Bar Association, The Parent Trap: Custody Order Enforcement (October 2020)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Stronger Together Supervised Visitation & Exchange Program Advisory Board (2020 – present)

REPORTED CASES

• Bostic et al. v. Schaefer, 760 F.3rd 352 (4th 2014) (on brief amicus curiae)

BAR ADMISSIONS

• • Virginia (2008) 
  • District of Columbia (2010)