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Alene Chanda Sprano

Education Attorney at Fairfax, VA

5.0   56 reviews

also known as Alene C. Grabauskas, Alene C. Singewald

  • State Years
    Virginia - VA 25 years
    Pennsylvania - PA 30 years
  • Licensed for 25 years
    State VA
    Acquired 1998
    Status
    Active No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 30 years
    State PA
    Acquired 1992
    Status
    Inactive No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Alene

Learn Alene’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Education
    50%
    Representation of students in Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria and Prince William for School Disciplinary Hearings/Expulsions. Representation as an Educational Advocate fir School related issues.

  2. Criminal defense
    20%
    Criminal Defense Attorney, including Juvenile Defense, Child Abuse, Sex Cases, Misdemeanor and Felony cases.

    31 years

  3. Juvenile law
    10%
    Representation for Juveniles charged with misdemeanors, felonies and those facing certification as adults.

    31 years

  4. Child abuse
    5%
    Representation for Criminal charges involving Child Abuse.

    30 years

  5. Expungement
    5%
    Fairfax County Expungements

  6. Sex crime
    5%
    Represent clients on Child Pornography cases, Internet Solicitation cases and all other Sex Crimes involving Adults and Minors

    31 years

  7. Speeding and traffic ticket
    5%
    Represent clients on all types of traffic offenses, including High Speed Reckless Driving Misdemeanors.

    31 years

Attorney Alene Sprano has been a criminal defense attorney for 30 years. She started her career as a public defender and has represented defendants charged with capital murder. She specialzes in defending juveniles facing school disciplinary hearings and those charged with misdemeanors and felonies as well as adults charged with sex crimes against minors. Alene has focused exclusively on criminal defense from the beginning of her legal career. After graduating from law school in 1992, she hit the ground running as a trial attorney with the Office of The Public Defender in York, PA. As a new public defender, the courtroom experiences were immediate. She quickly rose through the ranks of the office, and by the end of six years, Alene was responsible for training and supervising other lawyers, as The Deputy Public Defender.

In 1998, Alene moved to Virginia and accepted a position with the Fairfax Office of The Public Defender. As a Senior Assistant, she was again made responsible for training and supervising other lawyers in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court division. As always, Alene took on the toughest cases herself, representing juveniles and adults charged with the most serious crimes of child sex abuse, violent felonies like robbery, carjacking, rape, malicious wounding, and murder; and juvenile defendants certified for trial as adults.

After almost a decade of experience as a public defender, Alene entered private practice in 2001, as a Senior Associate with the Law Office of Patrick Anderson. During this time, her practice expanded to include traffic offenses and low level misdemeanors, in addition to maintaining the most serious cases, including many high profile cases.

After spending a few years away from the courtroom to care for her two youngest children, Alene rejoined the active practice of law as a founding partner of the Sprano Law Firm. She began focusing on the representation of elementary, middle school and high school students facing School Disciplinary Hearings and Expulsion Proceedings in Fairfax, Prince William, and Arlington Counties. While the dedication, zeal and commitment of the young public defender remain, they are now tempered by the wisdom that can only be gained by handling thousands of criminal cases and school proceedings over the years. This combination of ability and experience makes Alene Sprano an excellent choice for anyone looking for top notch legal representation in the criminal and the school disciplinary hearing areas.

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Contact Alene

Similar lawyers nearby

The Sprano Law Firm, LLP
10603 Judicial Dr
www.spranolaw.com
Fairfax, VA, 22030

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  56 customer reviews
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Posted by Bruce | October 19, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
An expert in the field.
Ms. Sprano provided our family the guidance and direction we needed to navigate the intricacies of a FCPS Hearing. Her straight forward approach and wealth of knowledge was critical in helping us understand the process and likely outcomes. It was comforting to know we had expert on our team to protect my son's rights as a student.
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Posted by Daniel | July 24, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Experience with Ms.Soprano
Ms.soprano is a very straightforward and direct lawyer. Her approach allowed for me and my family to compose up a compelling arguement that ultimately led to a huge role in my future. She is a amazing lawyer who had me collect many documents and write paragraphs that all helped me in the end. I can’t express my gratitude enough I have for Ms.Soprano and I’m glad she was my lawyer.
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Response from Alene Sprano September 20, 2023
Daniel: You will go on to do great things! Stay focused. Dream big! I am grateful to have been a part of your success story. -Alene Sprano
Posted by Melissa | June 27, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
What a life saver
Alene’s attention to detail and quick action helped my son and our family out greatly! Her vast knowledge with school hearings and the diversion process was priceless. She took the time to get to know our son and represented him perfectly. We can now put all of this behind us and can now concentrate on his future. I highly recommend her.
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Posted by Priscilla | March 24, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Compassionate, Caring and Professional
Caring, compassionate, and professional. Those are just a few words to describe Alene Sprano. Ms. Sprano worked diligently as my son's educational advocate to ensure a positive outcome at his MDR and FCPS School Hearing. She went straight to the point and prepared for the case the very same day she was hired. I recommend her to any parent dealing with any school situation with their child. She made sure I understood my rights as a parent, which is something FCPS schools failed to do. My only regret is not meeting Ms. Sprano sooner!
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Response from Alene Sprano March 24, 2023
Thank you for your kind words. Your son is destined to make a difference in this world.
Posted by Ely | February 23, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Truly amazing attorney that cares about children and their future!
Alene helped my son and I prepare for a hearing with Fairfax County schools during the winter holidays. Despite it being the most inconvenient time of the year she worked diligently to prepare for the hearing. I would absolutely recommend Alene for anything related to school hearings as she is intimately familiar with them. These hearings are very difficult because of the lack of due process. The result of the hard work was a immediate return to school and a path forward for my son. I can't thank her enough.
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Posted by Ezzeldin | February 17, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Professional
She challenged the time to prepare all we need for the hearing that we are going to and she was very expert on how to present the situation.
Response from Alene Sprano February 17, 2023
Thank you for your heartfelt review. I am grateful to have been able to help assist your family to secure your son’s return to school.
Posted by Christopher | February 6, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Review of Aleen Sprano
Alene Sprano did a super job of defending me on a reckless driving charge recently in January. While dismissal is virtually unheard of, she basically made the charge disappear and my good driving rate be reinstated almost immediately. She is wonderful and easy to work with, was effective and professional to the enth degree. I highly recommend her!!
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Posted by Kelly | November 30, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Intelligent, passionate and individualized approach designed to protect her client
We contracted Ms. Sprano to help our son when he was faced with an FCPS Disciplinary Hearing that we felt constituted overreach by his high school administration. We are grateful to have secured her services as the stakes were very high and the timeline was exceedingly short. Her integrity and professionalism are unparalleled as were the energy and compassion she brought to representing him. She was clear and direct in all her communications, demanding full-investment from us that she matched three-fold. She keenly understands the VDOE and FCPS disciplinary processes and personalities and is savvy in her approach to her interactions with administrators; she also demonstrated thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws that she used to support our arguments. Ms. Sprano helped us keep our anger and expectations in check so we could focus on the matters at-hand -- getting our child back in school and their record remediated. She prioritized getting to know our son; as a result, he felt confident going into the hearing because he knew Ms. Sprano was at his side, ready-willing-able to fight for him. We can't believe that we initially hesitated getting representation because the school hearing was not a legal proceeding; the lack of legal protections in the FCPS process made it even more important to have counsel to protect him and preserve future post-secondary opportunities that could be impacted by a suspension on his record.
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Posted by anonymous | October 9, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
FCPS School Issue
We sought Alene's assistance when we were facing disciplinary action against our son. Our son's case was very complex given his learning disabilities and medical complications. Alene was very thorough and really knew her stuff. She was able to represent us very well and we would have been lost without her!
Posted by anonymous | October 2, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Brilliant, controlled, and professional
Our child was involved in an in-school situation that could have resulted in expulsion, but Ms. Sprano worked with us to ensure that our child got full protection under the law and a fair and equitable hearing by the district office in charge. We could not be happier with the outcome, especially Ms. Sprano's interactions with potentially hostile administrators. Just her presence made them sit up straighter in their seats and ensure that they were adhering to policy. I recommend Ms. Sprano without hesitation for any case that requires an attorney of her calibre.
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Posted by anonymous | May 26, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Thank You!! Highly Recommend Attorney Alene Sprano
Thank You so very much for your help - Attorney Alene Sprano, The Sprano Law Firm. I am truly grateful and appreciative of all of your help walking and talking with me through the steps and process along the way, to the end. The encouragement, professionalism, honesty, and compassion you have given me throughout the process has helped me get through this process and I am Truly Thankful!! Yes, I highly Recommend Alene Sprano The Sprano Law Firm 10603 Judicial Drive Fairfax, VA 22030 703 591 1332 office 703 408 7299 cell www.spranolaw.com
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Posted by Jonathan | October 26, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
She is the best
Alene always kept me in the loop and took care of everything I needed to do in order to accomplish my Expungement. Even with all the headaches due to COVID, she worked tirelessly to ensure my case was seen through properly.
Posted by anonymous | October 4, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent
It took me a while to write this review. We hired Alene after talking with a couple of lawyers. She was very responsive and straight forward. She made no promises but explained to us the best and worst possible outcomes. She got the difficult case dismissed and the records expunged. She was professional but very understanding at the same time. We were given clear instructions to prepare for our case and we were very thankful for her guidance. We highly recommend her.
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Posted by Vic | September 22, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Alene is Extremely Professional!
We had an issue with a prestigious private high school in Fairfax county, when school denied to re-enroll our daughter for next year. I have worked with some other attorneys in the past. Ms. Alene Sprano is extremely professional and organised. It’s just amazing to see how she listens to you, and gave us some (out of the box) ideas which worked so well for us. She was relentless in helping us. She is a wonderful and the Best Educational Advocate, we have ever seen or met. Thanks a lot Alene for all that you did for us and for our daughter!
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Posted by anonymous | July 9, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
She Will Fight For You!!
Alene was recommended to me by another lawyer of mine to expunge my DWI. She was very fast when it came to replying to my emails, she was very patient with me throughout the process, and she worked very hard to help expunge my case. I really think she is a great fit for whatever it is you need!! I am so happy I went with her and she made the process so easy on my end.
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Posted by Kristin | February 18, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Exceptional lawyer!
Ms. Sprano was my lawyer over this past year, defending me against a traffic ticket. I knew she was exceptionally intelligent and capable when I hired her but was blown away when I saw her in the courtroom. She was articulate, intelligent and firm but respectful. She kept me well-informed on what to expect all along the way. I can't describe the relief I felt having her by my side. She got my case dismissed. I hope to never have to hire her again but if I do, I won't turn to anyone else!
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Posted by anonymous | February 4, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Representation
Ms. Soprano handled an expungement case after a Fairfax Circuit Court dismissal stemming from a family/domestic issue. Very professional with positive results.
Posted by Fernando | October 30, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The most professional and outstanding attorney in Virginia
I am more than happy for my expungement, I want to thank Mrs. Alene so much for the great guidance and commitment to my case. I thought it was gonna be almost impossible to do this expungement since I am in Mexico, but from the time I contacted her, she didn’t back down and rapidly look for ways to make things happen, I contacted other top profiles in the area but they didn’t see it possible, Mrs. Alene had a plan in less than 24 hours on how to make this expungement happen even though I was not in the state of Virginia. If you are looking for the most professional and committed attorney, don’t hesitate to contact Mrs. Alene, she is the best.
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Posted by anonymous | October 26, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Extremely helpful, excellent attorney
Alene promptly answered all emails and questions. She was a strong and effective advocate for our child as we navigated the school system. She was professional and provided great advice, all of which resulted in a favorable outcome. I would strongly recommend her services.
Posted by anonymous | September 25, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Brilliant Attorney
I wish to place my sincere and heartfelt appreciation to Attorney Alene Chanda Sprano for the excellent and professional manner in which she discharged her services, thereby brining a complex court trial to a speedy and successful conclusion. Yesterday dismissal of the case by the Judge bears testimony of the sheer hard work and commitment on her part from the very inception of the case and right throughout the process. Let me once again take this opportunity to extend my congratulations on her excellent performance and the job well done to my satisfaction.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 8.4 (Excellent)

Work Experience

  • Head Partner
  • The Sprano Law Firm, LLP
  • 2008 - Present
  • Senior Associate
  • The Law Offices of Patrick Anderson
  • 2001 - 2005
  • Senior Assistant Public Defender
  • Fairfax Public Defender's Office
  • 1998 - 2001
  • First Assistant Public Defender
  • Office of the Public Defender of York, PA
  • 1995 - 1998
  • Assistant Public Defender
  • York County Public Defender's Office
  • 1992 - 1995
View all work experience

Education

  • University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor, cum laude
  • 1992
  • University of Padua-Padua, Italy
  • Summer Law Courses Abroad
  • 1990
  • University of Richmond
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts, Dean's List
  • 1989
  • The Williston Northampton School
  • 1985
View all education

Legal Cases

  • Child Abuse cases
  • See article
  • Murder case
  • See article
  • Capital Murder Appeal
  • See article
View all legal cases

Associations

  • Denison University Parent Council
  • Admissions Parent Council
  • 2015 - Present
  • ALSF & Run to The White House
  • Childhood Cancer Advocate
  • 2007 - Present
  • Fairfax Bar Association
  • Attorney Member
  • N/A
  • Fairfax Bar Association Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Committee
  • Attorney Member
  • N/A
  • La Leche League
  • Chronically Ill Child: Mother-to-Mother Forums
  • 2008 - 2013
  • La Leche League
  • LLL Leader (Retired-2014)
  • 2005 - 2014
  • Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Citizens Advisory Council
  • Court Appointed Board Member
  • 1999 - 2001
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Secretary, Moot Court Association
  • DC School of Law
  • 1992
  • Law Review, Associate Member, 1990-1992
  • DC School of Law
  • 1990
  • Summer Law Program, Padova, Italy
  • DC School of Law
  • 1990
  • International Sociology Honor Society
  • University of Richmond, Alpha Kappa Delta
  • 1989
  • President, Alpha Phi Sorority
  • University of Richmond
  • 1989
  • Research Assistant, Sociology Department
  • University of Richmond
  • 1989
  • Varsity Diving Team, 1985-1989
  • University of Richmond
  • 1985
  • Volunteer Action Council, 1985-1989
  • University of Richmond
  • 1985
View all awards

Publications

  • DWLR
  • Draft Opinion, United States v. Wise
  • 1992

Speaking Engagements

  • ALSF Leadership Academy @Villanova
  • Childhood Cancer Awareness Presentation (Race With Grace)
  • 2014
  • ALSF Leadership Academy @ Villanova
  • Childhood Cancer Awareness Presentation (Race With Grace)
  • 2013
  • JDR Court Manuel, CLE
  • The Role of The Public Defender
  • 2001
  • Juvenile Court In-Service Training
  • The Role of The Public Defender
  • 2001
  • Law Day Program
  • Legal Issues For Teenagers-Public Defender Perspective
  • 2000
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (12)
Given (13)
Endorse Alene
Criminal defense Attorney | Sep 20
Relationship: Co-worker
"I endorse this lawyer. Alene and I worked together years ago when we were in the York County Public Defender's Office. Alene was always attentive to her clients, responded promptly and took the time to explain. Alene has respect from other lawyers and the Bench. I highly recommend Alene and will refer matters to her."
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 18
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I had the pleasure of working with Alene for a number of years. Her breadth of knowledge and zeal to represent clients is unparalleled. She is thorough, thoughtful and an advocate for all of her clients. You are in good hands with her."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jul 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Alene is a terrific criminal defense lawyer. She is hard working, responsive to questions, returns calls, and does a great job in the courtroom in front of the judge and jury. If you have a problem and need a criminal attorney in Northern Virginia, she is the one to call. I fully endorse her. You will be very pleased with Alene and her skills."
Unknown Attorney | Jul 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Alene is honest, responsive & responsible, smart, hard working and dedicated -everything you want in an attorney."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Alene is a talented and dedicated criminal defense attorney. She cares about her clients and uses all of her knowledge and many years of experience to protect and defend them. She never gives up and is a fierce advocate for her clients whether in negotiations or in trial."
Juvenile law Attorney | Jun 28
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"The wisdom Attorney Sprano has demonstrated on this website would make her an instant recommendation for clients seeking help with troubling situations."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 23
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I co-counseled several cases with Alene. She is one of the most dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate attorneys I've encountered during my years of defense practice. Whether she's representing a client accused of a traffic crime or murder, she's will always give 100% to ensure that the client receives the best representation possible."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have known and worked with Ms. Sprano for over 14 years and I highly endorse her as a superior criminal defense attorney. I have watched her handle some of the most serious cases that a criminal defense attorney can handle with incredible dedication and thoroughness. Ms. Sprano is well-respected as a professional within the legal community. From the smallest of cases to the largest, her clients are in excellent hands. They can trust Ms. Sprano's advice and judgment and that she will zealously advocate for them."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Alene is a fierce advocate for her clients. She is well versed and highly regarded in her field of practice."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Alene is a dedicated professional, she is an excellent and tireless advocate for her clients. I would not hesitate to utilize her services."
Criminal defense Attorney | May 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Alene is a great attorney. I have worked with her on many cases. I admire her professionalism and "no-nonsense" approach. She fights for her clients. Do not hesitate to hire her."
Criminal defense Attorney | May 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Alene is a zealous and experienced attorney that I would recommend without hesitation."
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Criminal defense
Defective and dangerous products
Communications and media
Criminal defense
Divorce and separation
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Fairfax Education Lawyer Alene Chanda Sprano
Alene Chanda Sprano
Education Attorney
Fairfax, VA
Licensed for 30 years
Free Consultation