Michael La Fratta does not shy away from tough cases; in fact, he is most at home in a courtroom arguing on behalf of his clients. As a skilled criminal defense attorney, he understands the necessity of taking a proactive approach to your defense. La Fratta Law is well-versed in a broad spectrum of criminal law. He adeptly handles both misdemeanors and felonies, ensuring that every client receives robust representation tailored to their unique situation. La Fratta Law also handles juvenile defense and criminal appeals. What’s more, he can help you expunge a criminal record if you qualify.

Ms. Watkins’ federal practice focuses on cases before various administrative agencies — including the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) – as well as security clearance cases before the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), numerous cases before the Intelligence Community and before other federal agencies. In 2022, Ms. Watkins was selected for membership in the Security Clearance Lawyers Association by her peers. Ms. Watkins also advises private sector and municipal employees in the District of Columbia in various types of investigations, grievance procedures, disciplinary actions, whistleblower issues, and equal employment opportunity (EEO) matters. Ms. Watkins also focuses on various administrative matters involving federal law enforcement officers. Ms. Watkins has several years of litigation background and has guided countless clients through depositions and trial proceedings. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Watkins worked as an attorney advisor for the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, the appellate division of the Department of Veterans Affairs, authoring appeals decisions to resolve cases arising from Veterans benefits disputes. During law school, Ms. Watkins worked as a legal intern with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Prisons, providing legal support to DOJ attorneys on a variety of cases involving matters such as correctional law and litigation, civil rights disputes, mental health hearings, and FTCA claims. Prior to her legal training, Ms. Watkins obtained her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University where she double majored in History and Political Science. While attending Wake Forest, Ms. Watkins also participated as a member of the University’s Equestrian Team. Ms. Watkins is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and before federal agencies nationwide.

Cherita Lewis is a Criminal Defense Attorney serving clients across Northern Virginia with a balanced, informed, and deeply client-centered approach. With experience on both sides of the courtroom and a strong foundation in legal analysis, Cherita brings clarity, strategy, and steady support to individuals facing difficult and often overwhelming circumstances. Cherita believes every client deserves compassion, honesty, and a clear understanding of their options. She is known for her ability to explain complex issues, anticipate how the prosecution may build its case, and guide clients through an often overwhelming process with confidence and support. Cherita’s legal career spans criminal defense, litigation, and federal agency advisory work. She has represented clients in a wide range of matters, including misdemeanors, serious felony charges, protective orders, and traffic-related offenses, maintaining a strong track record across these areas. Her background includes experience as an attorney advisor within a federal agency, where she strengthened her skills in legal analysis and detailed case assessment. She later gained valuable courtroom experience through litigation work, including family law matters handled through a local pro bono center. Her transition into criminal law, supported by experience as a prosecutor, provides her with a comprehensive understanding of case-building and trial preparation. At the University of the District of Columbia, Cherita graduated with honors and contributed to Law Review, Phi Delta Phi, and the Women’s Law Society. Originally from a military and multicultural family, she has lived in various regions of the country, attended high school and college in Texas, and has made the DMV her home for many years. Outside of her legal work, Cherita enjoys exploring new learning opportunities, staying connected to the legal community, and engaging with clients and colleagues in meaningful, supportive ways

Damien Smith has been working in personal injury law in Virginia since 2018. Damien is motivated by his clients’ personal stories and works hard to fight for the justice and fairness they deserve. Damien started at a small firm, where he learned to always put client service first. He has handled hundreds of settlement and litigation cases from car accident and premises liability claims to dog bite lawsuits and other personal injury cases. Damien also has robust experience in handling criminal, traffic, and bankruptcy matters. Prior to his time in personal injury law, he worked in corporate compliance relating to consumer financial regulation. Damien is a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and is pending admission to the D.C. bar. He regularly devotes pro bono time to low-income clients facing collection and housing actions at the Legal Services of Northern Virginia in Fairfax, Virginia. Originally from Fauquier County, Virginia, Damien earned his undergraduate degrees in philosophy and political science from James Madison University. Damien then went on to earn a graduate degree from James Madison in European Union Policy Studies in Florence, Italy. While enrolled in this program, Damien was recognized for the best paper in the Master’s symposium. During the two years he spent in Florence, Damien also taught English as a second language. Damien completed his law degree at George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, in 2014. He served as the Executive Editor of the Journal of International Commercial Law, and worked on a voter restoration project that assisted Virginia residents with regaining their voting rights after felony convictions. Damien lives in the Woodley Park neighborhood of Washington, D.C., with his wife. They enjoy walking through the Zoo, exploring the city, rooting for all of the local sports teams, and caring for their community garden plot and abundance of house plants. Damien enjoys reading, jazz music, playing soccer and softball, and practicing the guitar and cornet.

Dennis Somech is a highly experienced trial attorney with over twenty years of experience in litigation, including family law, criminal defense, and complex criminal and civil litigation. With over 20 years of litigation experience, he uses his knowledge and experience to negotiate and leverage the best outcomes for his clients, with the confidence to take cases to trial if necessary. Dennis believes in thoroughly explaining the legal process to his clients, informing them of the factors that will be significant in a particular case, and the pros and cons of all potential courses of action. His clients can be confident that he will look out for their best interests, ensure that they them make well-informed decisions, extensively negotiate on their behalf, take their cases to trial if necessary, and always take a long-view approach for his clients during what is usually the most difficult time of their lives Dennis handles contested and uncontested divorces, custody and visitation cases, child support and spousal support matters, equitable distribution, and protective orders. He is also experienced in drafting and negotiating separation and property settlement agreements, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and consent custody and support orders. He also handles criminal cases ranging from traffic offenses to serious felonies, primarily in the Northern Virginia area. Dennis is a graduate of Emory University and received his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School in 1999. He is licensed to practice in Virginia and the District of Columbia, and served as a state prosecutor for both the City of Alexandria and Fairfax County. He is a former President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Virginia, and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Malik Drake is a practicing lawyer in the state of Virginia. Attorney Drake received his J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law in 2001.

Lynn Bradley has dedicated her career to fighting for injured workers: -She grew up in a steel town in Pennsylvania and her zeal for helping injured workers comes from her blue-collar roots. -Putting herself through college waiting tables gave her a deep understanding of hard work and what it means to struggle. -She attended T. C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond and was on the Law Review. -While in law school and studying for the bar exam, she worked at the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission as a law clerk for the Honorable -Robert P. Joyner, Commission. She also helped annotate the Workers’ Compensation section of the Virginia Code. -She has fought for the rights of injured workers since her graduation in 1993. -She has been with Tucker Griffin Barnes P.C. since 1996, and has been a shareholder (partner) since 2004. -She is a member of the Virginia State Bar; Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Workers’ Compensation Section; and the Charlottesville Albemarle Bar Association. -She volunteers her time advising the attorneys at the Legal Aid Migrant Worker Program; regularly volunteers at the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center Legal Clinic at University of Virginia; and served on the board of local non-profits, including the Senior Center and National Business College. -Lynn and her paralegal, Charolette, pride themselves on timely responding to her clients and giving personalized service. Your case is important and Lynn will treat it as a priority!

Providing excellent and informed representation to her clients is the hallmark of Jennifer Porter’s career. For over 25 years, Jennifer has successfully represented hundreds of people who have been injured through no fault of their own; people who were often just in the wrong place at the wrong time but suffered significant or catastrophic injuries as a result. Jennifer believes that people not only need and deserve someone who listens to them and talks the talk of a skilled litigator, but who also has the skill, experience, and background to walk the walk, preparing a successful claim for settlement or for litigation while also providing sound advice, sensitive to the needs of the individual. Jennifer is in the unique position to provide that level of representation to her clients and to maximize recovery for her clients, as a result of her years working as house counsel for Progressive Insurance and also as hired counsel for several of the country’s major insurance carriers, round-tabling defense strategies with insurance adjustors, engaging in defense-oriented training and education courses, and litigating hundreds of bench and jury trials using defense trial tactics. The thing that matters most is helping people navigate tough times with skill and sensitivity, and with a robust practice in personal injury, Jennifer looks forward to new legal challenges each day. Jennifer hails from East Tennessee and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, College of Law – Go Vols! She completed her third year of law school as a visiting student at American University, Washington College of Law and is a 20+ year resident of Virginia. She is a committed member of the Virginia legal community. A long-time member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA), Jennifer has served on the VTLA Women’s Leadership Caucus, VTLA Business Partners Committee, and the VTLA Membership Committee. She is also active with the Fairfax Bar Association (FBA), in which she currently serves as a member of the Circuit Court Committee and the Domestic Relations Sub-Committee. Previously, she was a member of the FBA Young Lawyers Section, serving on the Board of Directors and then as President in 2007/2008, and then in her capacity as immediate past President, she served as a member of the FBA Board of Directors. Jennifer has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and has received the prestigious AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating of her legal ability and professional ethics from the Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating system for members of the legal profession and carries an Avvo Rating 10/10, also based on reviews from her peers. Jennifer is licensed to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and California. In addition to her professional career, Jennifer is committed to her local community, having served on the Board of Directors of her neighborhood Swim Club and her neighborhood Civic Association. She is also troop leader to a very active group of middle school and high school aged Girl Scouts. Jennifer is a proud US Navy military spouse and mother to three school-aged daughters, and she can frequently be found at the soccer field, swimming pool or PTA meeting. She is active with the Naval Officer’s Spouse’s Club, the Military Spouse J.D. Network, and the Military Officers Association of America.

With over two decades of experience, Mr. Mullen advises clients on a broad spectrum of regulatory compliance, corporate governance, securities, and government investigations. His practice spans federal, state, and local matters, drawing on significant experience in both private practice and public service. He represents clients—including Fortune 500 companies—across industries such as energy, environment, healthcare, finance, railroads, aviation, real estate development, and land use.

James has more than 40 years of experience in the area of estate planning and administration, estate disputes, and real estate. He has been with the firm since he began practicing law in 1983. Mr. Cox received a B.A. summa cum laude from Duke University in 1980 and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1983. He is a Virginia Law Foundation Fellow and a committee member of Virginia CLE and the Virginia Law Foundation. He is a past Chairman and member of the Council and Legislative Committee of the Wills, Trusts, and Estates Section of the Virginia Bar Association. He was the President of the Charlottesville Albemarle Bar Association for 2009-2010 and is the current Chairman of the Real Estate Committee of the Charlottesville Albemarle Bar Association. He is a frequent lecturer in continuing legal education programs and since 1993 has been the author of the annual supplements to the four-volume treatise, Harrison on Wills and Administration in Virginia and West Virginia, published by the Michie Company, now Lexis Nexis. He is also the editor and contributing author to the Virginia CLE publication, Estate and Trust Administration in Virginia, first published in 1997. He is named in the current edition of the Best Lawyers in America, in both Trusts and Estates and Real Estate Law, and as Lawyer of the Year in Trusts and Estates for 2020.