About Carolyn
Biography
Carolyn Grimes is a partner in the firm, practicing in all areas of family law including divorce, spousal support, child custody, child support, equitable distribution, retirement issues, and prenuptial agreements, among other areas. She practices in all of the Circuit and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts in Northern Virginia and has argued before the Court of Appeals. She has lectured on family law topics ranging from custody to retirement issues, including military, federal, civilian and Foreign Service retirement issues, for various organizations in the Commonwealth. In addition to traditional litigation, Ms. Grimes practices law in the collaborative law model. She is also a mediator herself.
Consistently named a ‘Best Lawyer’ (from 2014-2022), Ms. Grimes has also been honored as an AV Preeminent (2001-2022) and Gold Client Champion (2019-2021) by Martindale-Hubbell. In addition, she’s been named a Top Lawyer by Northern Virginia Magazine Magazine (2011, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021), a Top Attorney by Arlington Magazine (2019-2021), and a Top Attorney by Washingtonian Magazine (2015) as well as many other top attorney designations— see full list below. Ms. Grimes actively serves the community as well. She was the 2009 and 2006 President of the Board of Directors for Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV), has served on its Board for many years and has performed many hours of pro bono work for the organization. She is a Past President of the Alexandria Bar Association, for which she has co-chaired the Pro Bono and Community Service Committee and chaired the “Beat the Odds” Program, a scholarship program for youths who have overcome adversity. She also participated in the American Bar Association program offering legal assistance to victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks.
In addition to traditional settlement and litigation practices, Ms. Grimes also practices in the area of collaborative law. Collaborative law is a process of alternative dispute resolution designed to keep the parties out of court. Counsel who have been trained in the collaborative law process and other professionals, such as financial professionals and custody experts, engage in a series of meetings with the clients designed to develop creative solutions to the issues in a divorce and agree on peaceful, practical solutions. Ms. Grimes has been trained in the collaborative model since 2006 and practices in this model as well as more traditional settlement or litigation models. She is also a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP).
Ms. Grimes is also a mediator and can act as the neutral mediator for both parties. Mediation is also an alternative dispute resolution process designed to have parties agree outside of court proceedings. If you are interested in using Ms. Grimes as a mediator, please contact our office. One party may initiate the contact to set up the appointment but as a mediator, she needs to meet with both parties together for the mediation process.
I believe in a problem solving approach to family law cases.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
34 years
34 years
34 years
34 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Virginia for 34 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Location
Friedman, Grimes, Meinken, & Leischner PLLC
Fax
675 N Washington St #450, Alexandria, VA, 22314
oldtownlawyers.comCarolyn Mary Grimes's Reviews
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Sreelakshmi | August 9, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Best Lawyer. Period.
Carolyn was quite simply the most effective communicator when handling my family matters. She knew how to efficiently communicate to me, directly communicate to opposing parties, and clearly communicate any potential obstacles - ethical or otherwise. Carolyn's ethical approach to her practice has r...
Posted by Olivia | February 28, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Best Decision I Made
Carolyn is very responsive and attentive. Because of her experience, my case had the best possible outcome. She's very witty and logical and that's helpful during this stressful situation called divorce. I would not want to wish divorce on anyone, but if you need a lawyer who really understands your ...
Posted by Jonathan | February 15, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Hire her!
Carolyn was a great help in resolving my divorce. Responses were always quick and every issue was handled effectively and with efficiency. I would recommend Carolyn without reservation.
Posted by Kim | June 27, 2012
Have recommended to at least 5 friends
I cannot say enough about Carolyn. She was with me through my entire epic divorce which lasted about 9 years through separations, reconciliations and finally, the final divorce. She was always upfront with me about what I was and was not entitled to, if certain issues were worth addressing and the ...
Carolyn Mary Grimes's Lawyer Endorsements
"I am happy to endorse this lawyer. Carolyn is smart and experienced, easy to work with and good in court. I've worked with her for over 20 years and she's one of the best."
"I endorse this lawyer. Carolyn is well versed in the law and zealously represents her clients, but is always willing to sit down and work to resolve a case."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Carolyn served as the neutral case evaluator in a complex divorce I handled several years ago in Northern Virginia. She was extremely knowledgeable on all the issues involved in our case and was very helpful in bringing the parties to an agreed resolution of their property and support matters. I endorse this lawyer."
Divorce and separation lawyer
Family lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell
2022
AV Judicial Edition Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell
2021
Top Attorney, Arlington Magazine
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Client Champion Silver Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2021
AV Judicial Edition Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell
2021
Client Champion, Martindale-Hubbell
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Client Champion, Martindale-Hubbell
2020
Top Attorney, Arlington Magazine
2019
Best Lawyers VA, US News & World Report
2019
Virginia's Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Top Attorney, Arlington Magazine
2019
Super Lawyers VA, Super Lawyers
2019
Client Champion, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Top Lawyers, Washingtonian Magazine
2015
Super Lawyers VA, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer Virginia, Super Lawyers Magazine
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
SuperLawyer- Virginia, SuperLawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Leaders in the Law, Virginia Lawyers Weekly
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
SuperLawyers, SuperLawyes
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
Superlawyer, SuperLawyer
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
SuperLawyer, SuperLawyer
2007
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2007
SuperLawyer, Superlawyer
2006
Local Bar Leader of the Year, Virginia State Bar
2001
Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Alexandria, Legal Services of Northern Virginia
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Managing Member, Wade,Grimes, Friedman, Meinken & Leischner, PLLC
1992 - 2015
Partner, Lieblich & Grimes, PC
Associations
2004 - Present
Legal Services of Northern VirginiaDirector, Past President
2003 - Present
Collaborative Practice of Northern VirginiaMember
1997 - Present
Virginia Bar AssociationMember
1993 - Present
Northern Virginia Women's Attorney Associationmember
1992 - Present
Alexandria Bar AssociationMember
1992 - Present
Fairfax Bar AssociationMember
1991 - Present
Virginia State BarMember
2011 - 2017
Virginia State BarBar Council, Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Trial Court reversed.
Education
2000
graduate certificate
1991
JD - Juris Doctor
1985
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
Updates to Family Law
2015
Retirement Issues
2012
Fee Dispute
2011
Non-Traditional Family Issues
2004
Retirement Issues in Family Law
2000
Child Custody
Publications
2014
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Marital or premarital asset?
15 Mar 2025
Does moving into a property that has my name on the deed seen by the law as desertion or abandonment?
20 Feb 2025
Legal implications of not paying the mortgage on the marital home?
22 Nov 2024