David L. Ginsberg

My legal practice is dedicated to helping clients resolve divorce, property, support, and custody issues.  My team and I guide our clients through the legal, emotional, and financial aspects of the divorce process as efficiently and effectively as possible.  We have the experience and knowledge to help you navigate the challenges associated with marital and child related conflicts, and to move forward in a positive direction.

I enjoy working on cases that involve complex financial issues.  I have handled numerous cases involving closely-held businesses, high-income earners, complex compensation and retirement packages, tracing separate and premarital property, real estate investments, private equity investments, securities, government pensions, and various other investments.  I have an extensive background in financial issues that began with my undergraduate degree from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.

I view the attorney-client relationship as a partnership.  My role is to educate my clients regarding the law, settlement and litigation options, provide advice and guidance regarding each potential strategy, and to make recommendations.  My client’s role is to participate in the process by outlining goals, providing information, and actively engaging in decisions as to how we will move forward.  My top priority is to develop a strategy that is best suited to accomplishing my client’s goals.

I encourage clients to explore settlement options whenever it will benefit you and your family.  I am experienced and trained in negotiating settlements through traditional communication with your spouse’s attorney, mediation, and the Collaborative Process.  In addition to representing clients and guiding them through the mediation process, I am a certified mediator.  As a mediator, I serve as a neutral third party who helps clients resolve their family matters.  I am collaboratively trained, and appreciate the benefits of working with a professional team to address the legal, emotional, and financial issues that you face.

My colleagues and I opened Cooper Ginsberg Gray, PLLC with the goal of providing high-quality, effective, dedicated, and cost-effective representation to individuals going through family turmoil.  Since 2004, we have worked to become a top family law firm in Northern Virginia.  We have accomplished this by placing the needs and desires of our clients first.  I am accessible, and will be by your side as you take each step through the legal process.

I earned my law degree from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University in 1996.  I have practiced family law throughout my legal career, but have been handling family law cases exclusively since 1998.

I have been honored to be recognized on multiple occasions as one of the area’s top divorce lawyers in the Washingtonian Magazine, Arlington Magazine, and Northern Virginia Magazine, a member of the Legal Elite by Virginia Business, and included in The Best Lawyers in America.  I earned an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale Hubbell, a leading peer review rating entity for legal professionals.

Since 2012, I have taught Law Practice Management at my alma mater, Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, as an adjunct professor.  I recently co-authored “How Successful Law Firms Really Work,” a book designed to help attorneys establish and run a law practice.

I currently serve on the Board of the Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia, Board of Virginia Collaborative Professionals, Member Representative for the Virginia Collaborative Professionals, and the Fairfax Bar Association’s Law Practice Management Committee.  I previously served as President of the Antonin Scalia Law School’s Alumni Association Board, and as a board member of the Fairfax Law Foundation.  I am an active member of the Virginia State Bar, Fairfax Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.

I have organized the annual Chipping in to End Domestic Violence Charity Golf Tournament since 2000.  Through the tournament we have increased awareness of the domestic violence issues that our community faces and raised more than $730,000 for the abused women and children at the Artemis House, which is operated by Shelter House.  I am currently the Chair of Shelter House’s Board of Directors.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing basketball and tennis, paddle boarding, and am an avid photographer.

If you would like to schedule a consultation appointment with me, please call our office at (703) 934-1480 or complete our initial consultation form.  I look forward to meeting with you.

FAIRFAX DIVORCE ATTORNEY

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Partner, Cooper Ginsberg Gray, PLLC (2004 – present)
• Associate Attorney, Shoun & Bach (2000– 2004)
• Associate Attorney, Dennis Hottell & Associates (1998 -2000)
• Associate Attorney, Virginia Legal Aid Society (1996-1998)

EDUCATION

• Juris Doctor Degree, Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University (1996)
• Bachelor of Science in Commerce Degree (Finance and Marketing), University of Virginia (1992)

LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS

• Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University
  • Adjunct Professor (2012 – present)
  • Alumni Board, President (2009 – 2011)
• Virginia State Bar
  • Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course, Faculty Member (2012 – 2015)
  • Harry L. Carrico Law School Professionalism, Faculty Member (2015 – present)
• Fairfax Bar Association
  • Law Practice Management Committee
    • Member (2020 – present)
    • Co-Chair (2020 – 2022)
  • Previously served on Circuit Court and Continuing Legal Education Committees
• Fairfax Law Foundation
  • Member, Board of Directors (2007 – 2015)
• Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia
  • Member (2009 – present)
  • Board of Directors (2019 – present)
  • Equity and Inclusion, Committee Member (2021 – present)
• Virginia Collaborative Professionals
  • Member (2009 – present)
  • Board of Directors (2019 – present)

RECOGNITION

• AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America
• Recognized multiple times in Northern Virginia Magazine, Arlington Magazine, Virginia Business and Washingtonian as one of the DC Metro Area’s top family law attorneys
• Super Lawyers (Virginia) (2020 – 2022)
• Fairfax Law Foundation, Humanitarian of the Year Award (2014)
• Fairfax Bar Association, President’s Award (2009)
• Washingtonian Magazine’s Top Lawyers Hall of Fame (2022)

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS/PUBLISHED WORKS

• Law Practice Management CLE, Presenter (2022 – present)
• Second Saturday Workshop, Presenter (2009 – 2021)
• American Bar Association, How Successful Law Firms Really Work, Author (2020)
• Fairfax Bar Association, Law and Technology CLE, Presenter (2019, 2020)
• Virginia CLE, So Your Client Wants to Mediate: Tips, Strategies and Advice, Presenter (2019)
• AAML, Running a Business while Practicing Law, Presenter (2019)
• Virginia CLE, Spousal Support and Spousal Support Update, Presenter (2013, 2015, 2018, 2021)
• Fairfax Bar Association, UIFSA, Child and Spousal Support CLE, Presenter (2015)
• Virginia Law Quarterly, Collaborative Law: What Every Practitioner Should Know, Author (2014)
• Fairfax Bar Association, Tracing CLE, Presenter (2006)
• Separation (Property Settlement Agreements): When is a Deal Not a Deal?, Author
• And Was Not a Gift, Author

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Shelter House
  • Board Member (2016 – present); Chairman of Board (2019 – present)
• Chipping in to End Domestic Violence Charity Golf Tournament
  • Founder, Organizer (2000 – present)
• Youth Basketball Coach (2010 – present)

REPORTED CASES

• Sobol v. Sobol, 74 Va. App. 252 (2022)
• Vinson v. Vinson, 41 Va. App. 675 (2003)

BAR ADMISSIONS

• Virginia (1996)