Melissa S. VanZile

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Professional Experience:

• Shareholder at Barnes & Diehl, P.C. (Present)
• Partner at Hall & Hall, PLC (2004–2013)

Education:

• University of Richmond School of Law, J. D. (2004)
• Mary Washington College, B.A., Political Science (2001)
  • Political Science Scholastic Honors Society

Awards/Honors:

• Top 50 Women Attorneys in Virginia, Super Lawyers (2018 & 2019)
• Listed Attorney, The Best Lawyers in America, “Family Law” (2017-2021)
• Leader of the Law Award, Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly (2016)
• Virginia Super Lawyers Family Law Attorney (2013-2021)
• Virginia Super Lawyers Virginia Rising Star (2011-2012)
• Reader’s Choice for Lawyer, Richmond Times-Dispatch (2018)
• Virginia Legal Elite (2014, 2015)
• Virginia Legal Elite Young Lawyer (2010)
• Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society

Professional Memberships

• Past President, Metropolitan Richmond Women’s Bar Association
• Past Board Member of Metropolitan Women’s Bar Association
• Member Metropolitan Richmond Women’s Bar Association
• Member of Henrico County Bar Association
• Member of Chesterfield County Bar Association
• Member of Richmond Bar Association
• Member of Virginia State Bar
• Past Member of the Innsbrook Rotary Club
• Past Board 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

Publications:

• Third Party Custody and Visitation, VA Lawyer’s Weekly (2017)
• The Evolving Realm of Family Law – Non-Traditional Family Units – Melissa S. VanZile, NBI Advanced Family Law Seminar (2010)
• Child Custody and Visitation: Commencing & Defending an Initial Custody Proceeding, Contributing Author Melissa S. VanZile, NBI (2009)
• Child Custody and Visitation: The Interplay of Statutes on Parental Rights, Responsibilities, and Parent/Child Content: Commencing & Defending an Initial Custody Proceeding, Contributing Author Melissa S. VanZile, NBI (2008, 2009)
• Relocation and Custody and Visitation, Melissa S. VanZile, Bench Bar Conference (2007)
• Changes to Child Support Deviation Factors: It’s Effect on Antonelli and It’s Progeny, Melissa S. VanZile, Bench Bar Conference (2006)
• Changes to Child Support Deviation Factors, Melissa S. VanZile, Bench Bar Conference (2006)
• Cross Examination of Experts in Custody Cases, Melissa VanZile, Bench Bar Conference (2005)

Presentations:

• “Grandparents and Third Party Custody and Visitation”, Richmond Legal Staff Association, 2015
• “Financial Planning in Divorce”, Financial Planning Association of Central Virginia Chapter Seminar, 2014
• “Child Custody and Visitation”, Richmond Paralegal Association Seminar, 2014
• “Drafting Separation Agreements, The Who, What, Where, When and How”, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Seminar for Paralegals, 2011
• “Child Custody and Visitation”, Richmond Paralegal Association Spring Seminar, 2011
• “The Evolving Realm of Family Law-Non-Traditional Family Units”, Speaker, NBI Advanced Family Law Seminar, 2010
• “Child Custody and Visitation”, Commencing & Defending an Initial Custody Proceeding, Speaker – Melissa S. VanZile, NBI Seminar, 2009