H. Van Smith
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Family Law Attorney in Richmond, VA
- Family Law (70%),
- Estate Planning & Probate (30%)
Attorney H. Van Smith is the founder of Smith Strong, PLC, in Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Smith focuses his practice on estate planning and family law, serving clients throughout Virginia.
In his family law practice, Mr. Smith handles matters involving divorce, adoption, child custody, child support, paternity, property division, spousal support and other family law issues. He is experienced in both litigation and collaborative divorce. His estate planning practice consists of drafting wills and powers of attorneys, handling probate and trust administration and assisting individuals with their overall estate planning needs.
Mr. Smith has been licensed to practice law since 2007 and is admitted before all Virginia state courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. Before founding his practice, he served in various positions at private law firms and universities and worked for the U.S. Department of Defense in Iraq.
Over the course of his practice, Mr. Smith has received recognition from various organizations. He has been named one of the “top 40 under 40 family lawyers” in Virginia by the American Society of Legal Advocates, one of the “legal elite” in Virginia Business magazine and one of the “top 100 matrimonial and family lawyers” by the National Advocates. He has also been featured in a variety of publications.
Mr. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from William & Mary and received his law degree from William & Mary Law School. He regularly speaks to educational institutions and community organizations and is an active member of the family law sections of the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association.
- 70%Family Law
- 30%Estate Planning & Probate
Adoption, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Paternity, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Wills
Selections
Rising Stars: 2015 - 2020
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Additional Sources of Information About H. Van Smith
About Van Smith
Admitted: 2008, Virginia
Professional Webpage: https://www.smithstrong.com/bio/h--van-smith.cfm
Honors/Awards:
- Avvo's Client's Choice Award, 2015
- Richmond Times-Dispatch Reader's Choice Award, Lawyer, distinction, 2015
- "10 Best Under 40" Attorneys for the State of Virginia, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2014
- William & Mary School of Law, Class of 2007, voted Most Likely To Become Law School Dean, 2007
- TOP 10 Attorneys in Virginia: Family Law, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2017
- Family Law "10 Best Attorney" Selection for Virginia, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2017
- The American Society of Legal Advocates, Top 40 Under 40 Family Lawyers in Virginia, 2016
- National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, Inc, Top 10 Attorney Award(Under 40), 2015
- Avvo's Client Satisfaction Awardfor Family Law, 2013, 2014, 2015
- The National Advocates, Top 100 Matrimonial and Family Lawyers, a nationwide recognition, 2014
- Coalition Provisional Authority, Baghdad, Iraq, Honorary Iraqi Firefighter, 2004
- Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers' Rising Star Award in Family & Matrimonial Law, 2017
- Legal Elite, Virginia Business magazine, 2016
- Virginia Business magazine, Virginia's Legal Elite for 2015 Award & Membership, 2015
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, Family Law "10 Best" Attorneys for Virginia, 2015 - Present
- National Academy of Family Law Attorneys Award for Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in Virginia, under the age of 40, 2014
- Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers' Rising Star Award in Family & Matrimonial Law, 2014 & 2015
- William & Mary, Benjamin Stoddert Ewell Award for Community Leadership, "selected on the basis of their outstanding participation and leadership on campus and/or community activities, and on the basis of their service and contribution to the school or community", 2003
- Legal Elite,Virginia Business magazine, 2017
- ThreeBestRated.com, Top 3 Divorce Lawyers in Richmond, Virginia, Certificate of Excellence, 2016
Bar/Professional Activity:
- United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia
- Virginia
Pro bono/Community Service:
- National Professional Advisor Network, The American Cancer Society
- CrossOver Healthcare Ministry: Smith Strong has supported CrossOver financially in its effort to provide free healthcare services to impoverished individuals in the greater Richmond, Virginia area, 2016
- Project Hope: Smith Strong, PLC supported this non-profit organization through financial gifts and attendance at annual dinner. The mission behind Project Hope is to help in the eradication of leprosy in Ethiopia, one family at a time, 2016
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Book, Legal Strength Series, The Ultimate Guide to Divorce & Custody in Virginia: Quickly Get Back to Fully Living Your Life, Word Association Publishers, published 2013
- Report, The Seven Essential Steps for Divorce Planning, Published 2012.
- Complex Assets in Divorce, National Business Institute, Henrico, Virginia, October 2017, Continuing Legal Education Course.
- Two Phases of Estate Planning: Secure Retirement & Avoid Going Broke in Long Term Care, Retirement Training and Coaching Services, Inc, February 2017, Virginia Department of Military Affairs, Henrico, Virginia
- Two Phases of Estate Planning: Secure Retirement & Avoid Going Broke in Long Term Care, Retirement Training and Coaching Services, Inc, July 2015, Fort Lee, Richmond, Virginia
- Honest Advice and Tips on Investing for Your Retirement, Cornerstone Assembly of God Church, Presented 2013 in Chesterfield, Virginia
- The Role of the Citizen Lawyer in Society, William & Mary School of Law, Presented 2006
- The Two Wars in Iraq, Williamsburg Kiwanis, Williamsburg, Virginia, Presented at the Williamsburg Lodge and other venues, 2004
Educational Background:
- The College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, B.A., Major: Government, 2003
- Welcome Gabrielle Dennis to our team of family law attorneys! https://t.co/Vmb2uUe3tj
- Smith Strong attorney Jamie Allgood participated in NBC 12's free legal hotline last week! https://t.co/G6iZPY0ULw
- SMILE (Single Moms in the Lord's Embrace) is a unique opportunity in Richmond for single moms post-divorce. https://t.co/7kETPFfbJ3
- Pleased to add Attorney Jamie Allgood to our team--a seasoned advocate for our family law clients: https://t.co/bN53uzQSV5
- Introducing a new attorney--David Mitchell. He graduated from UVA Law and worked for Hunton & Williams. Welcome! https://t.co/XoQyQJ8Qnl
- Smith Strong attorney Jamie Allgood participated in NBC 12's free legal hotline last week! https://t.co/G6iZPY0ULw
H. Van Smith:
Last Updated: 12/10/2019