Julia Jane Wills Ovando

Julia Jane Wills Ovando

4.0
Rating: 9.9

Licensed for 17 years

Child custody Lawyer at Arlington, VA
Practice Areas: Child Custody, Juvenile, Child Abuse ... +6 more

2111 Wilson Blvd, 8th Floor, Arlington, VA

About Julia

Practice Areas

9

Practice Areas

Child Custody 30%

Contested and uncontested paternity, custody, visitation and child support in both the Virginia juvenile and domestic relations and circuit courts.

17 years

30%
Child Abuse 10%

Civil abuse and neglect matters- Child Protective Services Investigations, child protective orders, removal and foster care cases, child dependency. Criminal child abuse and neglect- charged as misdemeanor or felony child abuse and endangerment.

17 years

10%
Domestic Violence 10%

Representing victims and the accused in family abuse, child abuse and intimate partner protective orders.

17 years

10%
Guardianship 10%

Guardianship and conservatorship petitions Representing parents seeking guardianship of their children with special needs as they turn 18.

12 years

10%
Immigration 10%

Special Immigrant Juvenile Matters- 1) predicate order in the local Virginia JDR court, 2) I-360 to USCIS, 3) I-485 Adjustment of status to Permanent Resident to USCIS

12 years

10%
Juvenile Law 10%

Juvenile delinquency- defense of juveniles charged with delinquencies. Represent youth charged with delinquencies at both the misdemeanor and felony levels, in the Virginia local juvenile and domestic relations courts and circuit courts.

17 years

10%
Marriage and Prenuptials 10%

Marital Agreements- prenups and postnups- a financial plan for the client's marriage, death or divorce

11 years

10%
Adoption 5%

First parent/ birth parent representation Step parent adoption Relative adoption Fostercare adoption

17 years

5%
Uncontested Divorce 5%

Representing clients as they negotiate and create a plan for custody, visitation, child and spousal support, division of assets and debts.

12 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 350-400 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Virginia for 17 years

State: Virginia

Acquired: 2008

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Ovando Law, PLLC

2111 Wilson Blvd, 8th Floor, Arlington, VA, 22201

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Julia Jane Wills Ovando's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.0 /5.0

16 Client Reviews

5 star (12)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (4)

Posted by Sonia | June 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Impeccable strategy, impeccable representation: full custody achieved

I want to express my deepest gratitude to Ms Julia for her exceptional work on my custody case. It was a complex and emotionally challenging process, but from day one, their team handled it with impeccable strategy, absolute professionalism, and a confidence that gave me great reassurance. Thanks... to their dedication, experience, and commitment, I was granted full custody of my son, something that seemed nearly impossible at the beginning. They were always available to answer my questions, guided me clearly through every step of the process, and—most importantly—made me feel truly supported and defended. I wholeheartedly recommend this office. Julia is a highly skilled attorney —strategic, compassionate, and deeply committed to justice. Eternally grateful. — Sonia B.

Posted by anonymous | March 14, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

No communication or progress

I felt compelled to write this to share my experience. Unfortunately, as soon as payment was made communication was essentially nonexistent. As of today, I still have not received a response or a simple apology. Our case is an uncontested child custody case and during the initial consultation, we wer...e told this is a straightforward process. It has been over three months and there is little to no movement on the case and the lack of communication is appalling. The only “movement” in the case has been a rough draft that was sent to me that appears to be a template with a few fillable areas that have our personal information. I hired the attorney based on reviews and because I believed she was a respectable and empathetic person. Based on my research she also works for a local nonprofit and I found that honorable. She was kind, thorough (went over the allotted time), and knowledgeable during the initial consultation. I had no idea that hiring her would create more stress than relief in my life. I wish I had paid attention to the one-star reviews because they echo the lack of communication. Unfortunately, I put more weight on the glowing google reviews. I have constantly reached out to them with no response . I don’t doubt the attorney is busy, however, not communicating for a month at a time on more than one occasion is unacceptable. There were a minimum of eleven outreach attempts that I never received a response for. I communicated my concerns in writing several times and nothing improved. I have finally given up and I asked to terminate our agreement and requested a refund - even then I cannot get a response even thought I have This is only my personal experience and everyone may have a different situation. I would not recommend her. 12/22/23 – 1/22/24 no communication! 2/8/24 - 3/11/24 no communication!

Posted by CJC | May 20, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Kind and Thorough

Ms. Ovando was both extremely knowledgeable and kind to us. She helped us navigate a difficult situation with our child in a thoughtful and thorough manner. We fully intend to use her again should be need her services, and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to others.

Posted by Cecilia | November 30, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

No Contact for 4 weeks!

I hired Julia after paying for a consultation in which she was an hour and half late to. I should’ve seen this as a read flag but I was in an emergency situation. After speaking with her she seemed knowledgeable and helpful and caring. After agreeing to hire her and paying the fee I didn’t hear from ...her I emailed and called and would get text replies that she would call me back and nothing. She never sent the order of substitution to my previous attorney causing me to pay my other attorney even more in fees. By the time she actually replied I was 3 weeks away from my court date and could not find another attorney willing to take on my case with the limited time and holiday.

Posted by Don | June 3, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly recommended

Julia was very good pleasant to talk to she walk me threw all paper work and made sure I new what I was signing on will power of attorney and medical power of attorney I’m 92 years old and she took the time with me she needed very nice lady thanks julia

See All Client Reviews

Julia Jane Wills Ovando's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Julia
G. "Rex" Flynn Jr. headshot
G. "Rex" Flynn

Juvenile law lawyer | Aug 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly recommend Ms. Ovando. I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with and against Julia for many, many years. She is always well prepared and is an excellent attorney. She is a worthy opponent, and someone that obtains great results for her clients. She fights for her clients until the very end. I highly recommend her services."

Charles I Cate headshot
Charles Cate

Family lawyer | May 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Julia is very conscientious and works hard for her clients."

William W Housley headshot
William Housley

Child custody lawyer | Jun 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Tough, talented and thorough litigator."

Gina M. Famularo headshot
Gina Famularo

Juvenile law lawyer | Jun 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Abbe Lisa Reis headshot
Abbe Reis

Juvenile law lawyer | May 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Cassie Lynn Baudean headshot
Cassie Baudean

Unknown lawyer | Sep 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Anne Wren Norloff headshot
Anne Norloff

Child abuse lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms Ovando is one of our most promising young attorneys. She knows the law thoroughly and is always calm and courteous to parties and counsel."

Victoria Lee Allen headshot
Victoria Allen

Family lawyer | Feb 11

Relationship: Other

"Ms. Ovando consistently provides information to questioners that is clear, concise and informative. From everything I have seen, her responses are of high quality and she treats everyone and every question with the same degree of respect."

Jennifer E Mandell headshot
Jennifer Mandell

Family lawyer | Feb 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Howard M Lewis headshot
Howard Lewis

Juvenile law lawyer | Dec 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Ovando is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation. She is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly recommend her legal services."

View All Endorsements
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Experience

Rating:  9.9 (Superb)

Work Experience

2019 - Present

Managing Attorney, Ovando Law, PLLC

2009 - 2018

Principal, The Law Office of Julia J.W. Ovando

2008 - 2008

Legal Intern, The Board of Immigration Appeals

2007 - 2007

Law Clerk, The Datz Fountation

2007 - 2007

Legal Intern, The Fairfax County Circuit Court

2002 - 2005

Spanish Teacher, Woodside High School

Associations

2015 - Present

Arlington County Bar Association

Chair- Judicial Selection Committee

2012 - Present

Arlington County Bar Association

Member, Judicial Selection Committee

2012 - Present

Alexandria Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Best Practices Committee

2009 - 2010

Arlington County Bar Association

Past Treasurer

Education

2008

George Mason University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2002

College of William and Mary

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2013

Arlington & Alexandria Court Appointed Special Advocate Training

Permanency & The Law: The Child Protection System & The Courts

Languages

English

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution