Snapper Tams

Snapper Tams is a co-Founding Partner of Cerulean Law Group, PC and a litigation attorney who represents individuals, entrepreneurs, business owners, and real estate professionals throughout Northern Virginia. His practice includes criminal defense, including DUI charges, traffic offenses, and expungements and sealings, as well as business and real estate matters, including contract drafting and review, business formation and advising, and real estate litigation.

Snapper’s approach to practicing law was shaped by experience on both sides of the courtroom. Before entering private practice, he served as a Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Loudoun County, where he prosecuted felony and misdemeanor offenses and handled complex cases involving vehicular crashes, electronic and computer evidence, and forensic drug and blood analysis. He also worked closely with law enforcement agencies, providing training on developments in criminal law, investigative techniques, and trial strategy. That experience gave him a firsthand understanding of how prosecutors evaluate cases and how law enforcement investigations are built, a perspective he now brings to defending clients.

After leaving the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Snapper joined BerlikLaw, where he represented individuals and businesses in civil litigation involving partnership disputes, breach of contract, business torts, landlord-tenant matters, and other complex disputes. The experience broadened his practice beyond criminal law and reinforced his belief that effective advocacy begins long before a case reaches the courtroom: by understanding the client’s objectives, identifying the real issues, preparing thoroughly, and developing a strategy designed around the outcome that matters most.

Today, Snapper brings that litigation background to his work leading Cerulean Law Group and shaping its approach to client service. He also advises entrepreneurs and business owners on issues that can prevent disputes before they arise. His experience as both a lawyer and an entrepreneur gives him a practical perspective on the realities his clients face. He understands that legal decisions are rarely made in isolation; they affect businesses, investments, relationships, finances, and long-term plans.

Snapper is also a licensed Virginia real estate agent with eXp Realty and is active in the real estate investor community. He regularly provides legal commentary on legislation, case law, and practical issues affecting investors, homeowners, and real estate professionals. This intersection of law, business, and real estate is an important part of his practice and reflects his broader interest in helping people understand not only their legal rights but how legal decisions fit into larger business and life goals.

Beyond his legal practice, Snapper creates educational content designed to make legal concepts more accessible to the public. Through YouTube and other social media platforms, he discusses topics ranging from criminal law, DUI and traffic defense, and constitutional rights to business, entrepreneurship, real estate, and other practical legal issues. His goal is to help people better understand how the law works in the real world and to give non-lawyers the knowledge and context they need to make more informed decisions. He views public legal education as an extension of his broader commitment to clear, practical communication.

Snapper earned his J.D. with honors from the University of Richmond School of Law. During law school, he served as President of the Criminal Law Society and Managing Editor of the Public Interest Law Review. He won the Carrico Intrascholastic Moot Court Competition, was a finalist in the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association Trial Competition, and was inducted into the Order of the Barristers in recognition of excellence in oral advocacy. He earned his B.A. in Sociology from Colorado College.

Outside the practice of law, Snapper is passionate about leadership, entrepreneurship, and building strong teams. He believes great organizations are built by investing in exceptional people, giving them meaningful opportunities to take on responsibility, and creating an environment where they can thrive. He is a graduate of Leadership Loudoun’s Signature Program and the Sorensen Institute’s Emerging Leaders Program and has served on the boards of Virginia nonprofit organizations focused on mental health and youth development.

Snapper grew up in Los Angeles, California but now calls Northern Virginia home. Outside the office, he enjoys traveling internationally with his family, landscape photography, hiking with his Bernese Mountain Dog (Toblerone), aviation, and the emotional roller coaster associated with following his favorite sports teams.

Snapper has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys Under 40 in Virginia by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys and as a Super Lawyers Rising Star.