Mary Beth Long - Biography:
Mary Beth Long dedicates her law practice to helping people with the broad range of legal issues which arise when family relationships fail. Her cases often include complicated economic and emotional entanglements, such as valuing and dividing small businesses and professional practices, child custody issues and spousal support.
Before attending law school, Ms. Long worked for the House of Delegates at the Virginia General Assembly as a nonpartisan staff member for several years before moving on to a career as a print journalist. At the urging of a judge whose court she covered, she entered law school at age 30. While attending the University of Richmond, her writing skills earned her a spot on the Law Review and she was named the publication’s Manuscripts Editor. Her oral argument skills were tested as part of the school’s annual moot court competition and she was rewarded with a slot on the Moot Court Board. In her last year of law school, she won the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Virginia Chapter essay contest.
Following law school, Ms. Long joined the law firm now known as ButlerCook, LLP, where she practiced family law for seven years with Donald K. Butler, Nancy Douglas Cook and Mark Michelsen. She formed VA Family Law, PLC in late 2007.
Practice Areas:
Family Law, including appeals. Wills and trusts.
Admitted to Practice:
1999, Virginia, and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
Education:
Virginia Commonwealth University, B.S., 1991
University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law, J.D., 1999
Memberships:
Virginia State Bar (Member, Family Law Section since 1999)
Metro Richmond Women's Bar Association
Metro Richmond Family Law Bar (Member since 1999, Treasurer 1999-2004)