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Family Law GroupManaging Partner
Donna Mae Dougherty, Esq.
Pro

Donna Mae Dougherty, Esq.

3.1
10 reviews

9300 Grant Avenue, Suite 200, Manassas, VA 20110

Family Law, Guardian ad Litem and Wills & Trusts

About Donna Mae Dougherty, Esq.

Donna Dougherty was raised in a small town in Ohio. She attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, followed by Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland Ohio. After graduating from law school, Donna relocated to the Northern Virginia area.

Donna began practicing law in Fairfax, Alexandria, and Tysons Virginia focusing on civil litigation to include family and real estate law. In 2010, Donna opened her own Law Firm, Donna Dougherty Law, which focused on family law. Then, in 2018, Donna partnered with two other attorneys forming a firm called, Northern Virginia Law, P.C.. That firm practiced not only Family Law, but also Criminal Law and Personal Injury.

In forming Family Law Group, Donna has returned to focusing on family law, to include divorce, custody and visitation, support, equitable distribution, adoption, and estate law. Donna has continued to focus her practice on complex litigation involving families, to include same-sex divorces, contested adoptions, high asset divorces, and international custody cases involving the Hague Convention.

Donna has handled a variety of complex domestic relations litigation from Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Fauquier County, Warren County and more. Additionally, while serving as a Guardian ad Litem, Donna successfully defended the ruling of the Fairfax Circuit Court regarding a complex custody matter which included components of alienation and mental health issues.

Not only is Donna a strong advocate for her client, but she is also a strong advocate for fellow practitioners and the local community. To facilitate this, Donna has been active in her local Bar Associations since she began practicing law. She served on the Young Lawyers Board with the Fairfax Bar Association and the Judicial Liaison Committee with the Prince William County Bar Association. She also served as Co-Chair of the Family Law Section of the Prince William County Bar Association wherein she was pivotal in coordinating and authoring engaging and interactive family law CLEs and mentorship opportunities for family law practitioners. Currently, Donna is President of the Prince William County Bar Association.

Additionally, Donna is an active member of the Prince William Virginia Women’s Attorney’s Association, serving as both President-Elect and President. Through these associations, she regularly creates, presents, and moderates CLEs. Outside of the associations, she is also active in the local community by working with various charitable organizations, assisting with political campaigns, and interacting with members of the legislature on various issues.

In addition to all her other accomplishments, Donna also serves as a Guardian ad Litem for children in Prince William, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Fairfax Counties. She has served in this role since she began practicing law as she finds serving as an advocate for children in Family Law and Abuse and Neglect matters as one of the most important things she does as an attorney. Both in and out of the courtroom Donna is known for her strength, generosity of spirit, innovativeness, leadership, and desire to advocate for those in need.

Honors & Awards

• Rising Star, Virginia Super Lawyers – 2013-2014

• Super Lawyer, Virginia Super Lawyers – 2015 to the present

• 10 Best Female Attorney, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys – 2016 – 2017

• Woman of Distinction, Honor’s Edition – 2017

• Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney Award, National Academy of Family Law Attorney – 2018

• Top 100 Family Lawyer in the State of Virginia, The American Society of Legal Advocates – 2018

• Top Lawyer, Northern Virginia Magazine – 2018 – 2019

• President’s Award, Fairfax County Bar Association – 2018 – 2019

Memberships

• Virginia Women’s Attorney Association, 2006 to the present

- President-Elect of the Prince William Chapter of the VWAA – 2019

- President of the Prince William Chapter of the VWAA – 2020

- Membership Chair

- Legislative Affairs Committee Co-Chair

• Virginia Trial Lawyers Association - 2012 to Present

• Prince William County Bar Association - 2011 to Present

- President, 2021

- President Elect, 2020

- Judicial Liaison Committee

- Family Law Section Co-Chair

• Virginia State Bar

• Fairfax Bar Association

 

Donna Mae Dougherty, Esq. (Manassas, Virginia) View website

Awards

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At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

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Reviews for Donna

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Overall Rating
3.1
See All Reviews
10
2.2
Lawyers.com
4
Martindale
Not yet reviewed
3.7
Avvo
6
Showing 1-4 of 4 client reviews from Lawyers.com
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5 stars
25%
4 stars
0%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
75%
What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
2.3
Quality of Service
2.0
Responsiveness
2.5
Value for Money
2.0
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
January 20, 2023
Hired Attorney

Donna was assigned to my case after the last GAL was removed by the judge due to not doing her job, bias, and not looking out for the best interest of my child. From the time she was assigned she started doing her job and contacting people and getting records, which was not done by the last GAL. She appears to be working very hard to conduct a complete investigation of all parties involved. She is very professional in dealing with non compliant difficult parties also. She is straight forward when it comes to your case, and absolutely loves kids. She was great with my son whom has disabilities. After she met with the child in private he advised he really liked her, and trusted her unlike the last GAL so that made me happy. He has even requested to meet with her again so she must have made a great impression with my son. I would highly recommend her if you’re looking for someone that will get the job done as a GAL, and look out for the best interest of the child.

 
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
February 18, 2015
Hired Attorney

Was totally overmatched by a more experienced lawyer. She, and the firm she worked for at the time, were just plain awful. Hire ANYONE else.

Family Law
Posted by Jeremy
January 29, 2023
Hired Attorney

Donna "the debt creator" Dougherty is the worst lawyer you can possibly hire. She's known to overbill by as much as 250% and he sole intention is to drain her client's bank accounts while providing the most inept and unethical representation known to man. Look up her "actual" reviews. There's a reason she's with her 3rd law firm in 4 years. Listen... there are a few things more stressful than legal proceedings related to divorce and custody. You need someone that cares about you and outcomes. You don't need this money-loving, fly-by-night "lawyer" that takes pleasure in draining your wallet and your spirit for her own gain. Her billings are padded (sadly, other attorneys confirmed this with me when it was too late). She's dishonest and untrustworthy. She even shared a privileged letter with me from another client's child psychologist. Donna has cost us more than 75,000 with zero positive outcomes when there objectively should have been some.

 
Guardian Ad Litems
Posted by anonymous
August 27, 2024
Hired Attorney

Working with Donna was very Challenging. She is very biased against men and anyone who has had a problem with alcoholism. Even if they have conquered it. She even posts in her social media that she is a proud feminist. Stay away from this practice if she is appointed as a GAL

From the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network

Services

Areas of Law

  • Family Law
  • Other 2
    • Guardian ad Litem
    • Wills & Trusts

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    2005, Virginia
    Memberships
    Virginia Women’s Attorney Association
    Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
    Prince William County Bar Association
    Virginia State Bar
    Fairfax Bar Association.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Miami University
    B.A.
    Sociology

Contact Donna Mae Dougherty, Esq.

Managing Partner at Family Law Group
3.1
10 reviews

9300 Grant Avenue, Suite 200Manassas, VA 20110U.S.A.

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Donna Mae Dougherty, Esq. was admitted in 2005 to the State of Virginia.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Donna Mae Dougherty, Esq. attended Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

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