Family Law

• Divorce
  At Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver, our Harrisonburg and Staunton divorce lawyers provide collaborative divorce as an option for those who wish to stay out of the court system. It is ideal for couples who are able to make decisions and compromises that best meet the needs of their families. Couples work with our experienced attorneys and other specially trained professionals to seek compromises and agreements in regards to separation of assets, custody, and support.
• Child Support
  With this arrangement, both parents live with their children for more than 90 days, which can affect child support payments, including guidelines for each parent to follow.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  We understand how difficult divorce and family changes can be for all of those involved. Our family law team listens to you and learns about your family, lifestyle, and the needs of your children. We make practical recommendations to help reinforce a stable home for the emotional wellbeing of your children. By walking you through the process, you have an experienced Harrisonburg and Staunton child custody lawyer guiding you during one of life’s more challenging times.
• Adoption
• Paternity
• Guardianship
• Spousal Support
  The Harrisonburg and Staunton lawyers at Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver provide seasoned representation to parents and individuals navigating the requirements of child support and spousal support. We draft documents and file paperwork with the courts to protect you and your family’s financial wellbeing. Our vast knowledge of the support system in Virginia makes us an effective representative for your case. We pursue delinquent payments and develop prenups and postnups with clearly defined arrangements in regards to spousal support should a marriage end.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  When you’re facing serious charges, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney. Out of our Virginia offices in Harrisonburg and Staunton, Tripp Franklin and his team of lawyers help you understand the charges and develop an effective strategy to best suit your unique needs. We have the resources to handle complex cases and employ our vast network of external expert witnesses to advocate for you. At Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver, our goal is to defend your rights, keeping you out of prison and with your family. Strong defense from an experienced lawyer helps protect you when you’re facing these charges and more...
• DUI/DWI
  Facing DUI charges in Harrisonburg and Staunton can be scary. You need a DUI lawyer. The team at Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver brings experienced representation to clients facing DUI, DWI, and DUID charges in Virginia and West Virginia.
• Wrongful Death
• Traffic Violations
  Charges of reckless driving in Harrisonburg and Staunton can be severe, but most people pay the fine without considering their options. Drivers are charged with reckless driving if they exceed the posted speed limit by 20 miles per hour, or more, or drive over 80 miles per hour, regardless of the speed limit. Our team consults with clients to clarify the charges and present possible defensive strategies to minimize penalties.
• Sex Crimes
  Being charged with a sex offense can carry long-term consequences. We aggressively defend your best interests after first, second, third, and fourth-degree charges and misdemeanors.
• Fraud
  We craft smart strategies to address federal crimes that can include: bribery, child pornography, conspiracy, cybercrimes, drug charges, embezzlement, financial crimes, gun crimes, healthcare fraud, human trafficking, sex crimes, subpoenas, and white-collar crimes.
• White Collar Crimes
• Misdemeanors
  Tripp Franklin represents individuals after felony or misdemeanor charges of domestic violence against a family member. Aggressive representation helps protect you from long-term ramifications.
• Embezzlement
• Drug Crimes
• Assault
  Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver develop effective strategies to minimize penalties for clients charged with assault and battery in Harrisonburg and Staunton. Our experienced attorneys clarify the charges and present you with a variety of options. Once you’ve decided the best course of action, we research and investigate your case to better defend you in and out of court.
• Murder
  We represent those charged with murder/nonnegligent manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, and justifiable homicide. Clients can count on an experienced defense of their rights when they work with WAW.
• Homicide
• Arson
  For those charged with Malicious Burning, or criminal arson, we schedule independent investigations to compile all the details critical to crafting an effective defense in court.
• Restraining Order
  Protective orders, like a restraining order, safeguard you and your family from harassment and abuse. Our Staunton and Harrisonburg  lawyers  at Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver file paperwork to protect you if you fear for your safety.
• Forgery
  We challenge and defend the validity of wills, guiding you through arguments like undue influence, forgery, testamentary capacity, and fraud.
• Kidnapping
  Parental kidnapping and abduction can result in felony charges that carry long-lasting consequences. Tripp Franklin walks you through your options to craft a strong defense of your rights.
• Manslaughter

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law
  Are you looking for a corporate lawyer to facilitate corporate governance for corporations and businesses in Virginia and beyond? At Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver, our experienced attorneys provide smart and effective legal advice for managing and regulating both large and small corporations. Out of our offices in Staunton and Harrisonburg, we deliver consulting for nonprofits and business institutions on the following services and more...
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Business Disputes
  Glenn Hodge is an experienced business law attorney who has a reputation for building long-term relationships with his clients. He is admitted to practice law in Virginia and has served in many leadership positions on the Virginia State Bar. Over the years, Glenn represented many large Shenandoah Valley corporations prior to their being acquired by national businesses. Glenn served 16 years as outside general counsel for Rockingham Memorial Hospital before their purchase by Sentara. Experienced litigation, arbitration, and negotiation skills make Glenn a much sought out attorney with comprehensive knowledge for all your business needs.
• Intellectual Property
• Unfair Competition
  Successfully resolved claims of defamation, unfair competition and tortious interference in lawsuit brought in Oregon by Virginia client’s former employee involving breach of separation agreement and non competition agreement
• Antitrust

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation
• Wrongful Termination
• Employment Contract
  Represents companies and individuals in drafting and reviewing employment contracts, separation agreements, and non-competition and non-solicitation agreements
• Employment Litigation
  From hiring to termination, employee drug and alcohol testing, leave, and discipline, and all matters in between, we provide practical advice to business owners and human resource professionals to comply with legal obligations when employment issues arise.
• Non-compete Agreement
  We protect you with written documents that detail the parameters under which current employees can leave and work for your competition.
• Severance Agreement
  We draft contractual agreements for employers and employees outlining expectations and compensation for clearly defined roles and strong relationships. We write and interpret restrictive covenants, including non-solicitation and non-competition agreements and represent employers and individuals in court in actions concerning breach or enforcement of these agreements.
• Sexual Harassment
  Successfully resolved claims of sexual harassment under Title VII and West Virginia Human Rights Act in Virginia federal and West Virginia state courts

Property Law

• Real Estate Litigation
  Stephan “Steve†Milo brings sophisticated expertise to commercial, corporate, and business law clients around the country. He is a member of the Commercial, Corporate, and Business Law and Estate Planning teams at Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver. He’s a savvy dealmaker who focuses his practice on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights and real estate law. Steve is admitted to practice law in state and federal courts in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia. His clients include large corporations and small, family businesses that value the efficiency and personal touch Steve brings to each case.
• Premises Liability
• Construction Litigation
  Gregory “Greg†St. Ours brings experienced representation to his business clients. He is a member of the Commercial, Corporate, & Business Law, Construction Law, Employment Law, Intellectual Property, and Insurance Defense teams at Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver. He is admitted to practice law in state and federal courts in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and West Virginia. Greg is an experienced commercial litigator who creates competent solutions for the legal needs of his clients. Whether it is trial work or complex negotiations, Greg brings smart strategy to each case for results his clients can depend on.
• Eminent Domain
• Land Use and Zoning
  We coordinate strategy with our Real Estate team to protect the interests of developers, government entities, and lending institutions.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  We represent property owners during disputes with tenants related to breaks in rental agreements, violation of lease terms, eviction, and COVID-related issues.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Have you or a family member been injured in a trucking accident? Our truck accident lawyers are your resource for pursuing the fair compensation you deserve. Personal injury legal cases are often more complicated when the accident involves tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers, which is why it’s essential to get professional representation immediately. At Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver, we have a team of Harrisonburg and Staunton attorneys ready and able to get you the compensation you deserve.
• Medical Malpractice
  Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver brings unparalleled experience and results to medical malpractice cases. Our experienced team listens to your story to learn how negligent care continues to impact you every day. We take the facts and emotional elements of your account and craft compelling arguments for judges and juries to use when making decisions. Our ultimate goal is to get you the compensation you need to care for your injury, disability, or for a family member’s loss of life.
• Disability Discrimination
  Defended 20+ employers against allegations of race, sex, age and disability discrimination, and harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination and defamation in federal courts, state courts and/or the EEOC as the “Great Recession†ran its course (2008-2013).

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Understanding your options so you can make informed decisions is something you can expect when you work with our law firm. Out of our offices in Harrisonburg and Staunton, VA, we listen to your needs and concerns and we will patiently present and explain a range of estate planning strategies to protect your loved ones and their future needs.
• Wills
  Our broad expertise ensures we can handle each element of complex and straightforward will contests for our clients’ peace of mind.
• Trusts
  Setting up a special needs trust allows a disabled beneficiary to inherit assets without losing vital public resources. Our experienced Harrisonburg and Staunton attorneys walk you through the process and draft documents to protect and manage inheritances. There are two types of special needs trusts...
• Power of Attorney
  Relationships With Skewed Power Dynamics: If there was a confidential or fiduciary relationship (like a Power of Attorney) between the two parties, undue influence might have been at play.

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  At Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver, we develop effective strategies for businesses to reorganize under the protection of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Our partner and associate attorneys bring decades of experience to both small and large organizations across the country. We’re there for you through each phase of the process and offer a comprehensive strategy to position your company for a successful outcome.
• Tax Law
  A tax lawyer works with businesses and individuals to address complex tax issues and plan appropriately. When done well, these measures save you money. The experienced team at Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver acts immediately and decisively when responding to adverse actions and plans ahead when working on your long-term goals.