$ 375-375 per hour
also known as CommanderLaw
Mary Commander was born and raised in Hampton Roads, and only strayed as far away as Richmond for law school. She has worked with the court systems here for more than 35 years and knows how things work.
Commander Law's goal is to make whatever legal service you require as easy on you as it possibly can be. With the firm's experience, no one will be experimenting with you or your case. This firm is not a training ground for new associates. It is a place to come when you want the tried and true; when you want the right answer the first time.
Commander Law also includes Attorney, Tatiana Mendez. She joined the firm in 2016 and has worked closely with Ms. Commander on all types of family law cases. She also handles misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic cases. For more information on Ms. Mendez, find her on Avvo!
5
Practice Areas
45 years
45 years
45 years
45 years
$ 375-375 per hour
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Chat withState: Virginia
Acquired: 1981
No misconduct found
5442 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA, 23509
34 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by anonymous | August 27, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
This Happened
I had Ms. Commander as a lawyer. I am a teacher of 35 years in Va. Beach City Public School. I am unsure why I was yelled at by Ms. Commander to sign documents that would leave me broke! Today I served for jury duty and I saw Ms. Commander in the circuit court building. Funny she doesn't even recog...
First, I do not tolerate racism in any sense. I find it extremely callous and demeaning to include the statement regarding race and implying that I am a racist. On this alone, this post should be removed. Second, she also claims in this review that she never met me (and yet I somehow did not recognize her?). Apparently, since I did not acknowledge her presence in a busy elevator (traveling from the first to second floor) on my way to a court hearing over a year after representation, she was so incensed that she took to a number of review sites to share her complaints.
Posted by Zach | September 12, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Best divorce attorney!
Mary and Abby were incredible through my whole 3 year divorce. Very professional, knowledgeable, and they really care. I never once felt left behind or lost in the process.
Posted by anonymous | August 31, 2022 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Top Notch Advice
Mary Commander took the time to review my case, which seems unique and complex to me, but she was able break things down for me in a way I haven’t heard. Her kind, yet no-nonsense manner was exactly what I needed. She provided advice for how I should proceed in my case while also advising me to save ...
Posted by anonymous | September 06, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Family
So thankful I retained Mary and had her on my side!
Hands down, Mary Commander knows the Virginia family law, and practices civility and integrity from start to finish. Mary is tougher than nails and handles any high-conflict opposing counsel with ease. Mary is reasonable and the entire legal team will have you and your children’s best interest as a p...
Posted by Albert | November 22, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Fantastic Representation!
Mary Commander and the staff of Commander Law are top notch! At every court appearance my custody desires were relayed effectively. As can be expected, going through a custody dispute can be a taxing and confusing process. I was able to call, email, or text Mary or her staff and receive an almost im...
"Mary has been a fierce adversary on several contested matters -- yet she is always professional and pleasant to work with."
"Mary is a very experienced and accomplished attorney who works in adoption and workers' compensation. She is very smart. I have sent her cases for years."
"I have used Mary as a mediator in family law cases and have found her to be a very effective mediator."
"I proudly endorse Mary. She has an excellent reputation among her peers because she treats her colleagues with respect and does not engage in the gamesmanship so often prevalent in family law. She is nevertheless a tireless and effective advocate for her clients."
"I have been involved with numerous cases with Ms. Commander. She has a superior knowledge of the law, and her client's enjoy her expertise in the family law area. I highly endorse her."
"I have worked as opposing counsel with Mary on a number of cases. She is sharp, knowledgeable, and tenacious in court, yet extremely personable and able to work well in a non-adversarial role, too. Mary's clients are always well-represented."
"I endorse this lawyer. I am familiar with the quality of her work through my research of case law in Virginia in which she has been involved as counsel for one of the parties."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Commander's reputation in the Tidewater area is unbelievable as one of the top attorneys in the area. She has even co-authored a couple CLE books that I have in my office that I consider an invaluable resource."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Mary from many years in the Tidewater area, as a top rate lawyer with a real passion for helping her clients. I know her work to be among the best in the Tidewater Domestic Relations bar. Although my practice is now in Northern Virginia, I would recommend her to anyone seeking legal help."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Commander is an outstanding attorney with an excellent reputation. She is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly endorse her."
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2015
Client's Choice Award, Avvo
2015
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Virginia, SuperLawyers
2015
Best Lawyers in Hampton Roads, Coastal Virginia Magazine
2015
Legal Elite Family Law, Virginia Business Magazine
2015
Family Law, SuperLawyers
2015
Family Law and Family Mediation, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Family Law, SuperLawyers
2014
Family Law, "Legal Elite"
2013
"Legal Elite"-Alternative Dispute Resolution, Virgnia Business Magazine
2012
"Top 50 Women Lawyers in Virginia", SuperLawyers
2012
"AV" Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
SuperLawyer-Family Law, Law & Politics Magazine
2011
SuperLawyer-Family Law, Law & Politics Magazine
2010
"Legal Elite" in Domestic Relations, Virginia Business Magazine
2010
SuperLawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2009
SuperLawyer, Law and Politics Magazine
2008
Family Law Section Public Service Award, Virginia State Bar
2008
Leaders In The Law, Virginia Lawyers Weekly
2007
Jefferson Award For Public Service (Regional Award Winner), American Institute For Public Service
2007
Entrepreneur of the Year (Finalist), National Ass'n of Women Business Owners
2006
Woman Of the Year (Law), YWCA
2010 - Present
Partner, Commander & Carlson, Attorneys And Mediators
2000 - 2010
Owner, Mary G. Commander, Attorney & Certified Mediator
2000 - 2007
Substitute Judge, Norfolk Juvenile and General District Courts
1985 - 2000
Partner, Goldblatt, Lipkin & Cohen, P.C.
1983 - 2003
Administrative Hearing Officer, Commonwealth of Virginia
1982 - 1985
Associate, Heilig, McKenry & Fraim
1981 - 1982
Law Clerk to Hon. John A. MacKenzie, U.S. District Judge, United States District Court (E.D. Va)
2013 - Present
American Bar AssociationFellow
2013 - Present
Virginia State Bar, Family Law SectionBoard of Governors
2007 - Present
National Center For Family LawBoard Member
2004 - Present
International Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsMember
2004 - Present
Virginia Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsMember
2000 - Present
Better Business BureauMember
1995 - Present
MemberVirginia Mediation Network
1985 - Present
Virginia Women Attorneys Association (Norfolk Chapter)Past President Local Chapter and Member
1983 - Present
Virginia Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
1983 - Present
Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar AssociationLaw Library Board Member
1980 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
Member
Member
2001 - 2004
Virginia State BarCircuit Representative
1999 - 2015
Old Dominion University Intercollegiate FoundationBoard Member
Circuit Court reversed by Court of Appeals
1981
JD - Juris Doctor
1977
B.A.
2015
Support, Equitable Distribution and Divorce
2015
Ethics For Lawyers
2014
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
2011
Spousal Support
2011
Divorce
2010
Separation Agreements/Divorce For Navy Lawyers
2015
2008
1991
1981
Spanish
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
My license was suspended due to child support arrears. A DL is required by my current employer. How can it be reinstated?
10 Nov 2014
Does a Separation Agreement expire if you get back together again for a period, then decide that divorce is inevitable later on?
02 Aug 2014
How far behind in child support do you have to be before your drivers license is suspended in Virginia?
28 Jul 2014
DANGER: DIVORCE LAWYERS
02 Sep 2015
Cooperative Versus Collaborative Divorce
28 Oct 2012
Defenses to Adultery in Virginia Divorce Actions
26 Jul 2011