Why We Are Leaders in Virginia Divorce and Family Law

At Slovensky Divorce & Family Law, we are not a general practice firm that dabbles in many areas of law. We are a 100% divorce and family law firm with a singular mission:

Mission: We help people regain control over their lives, reclaim their power, and lay a foundation for success in life during a family crisis.

Our team combines deep legal knowledge, instinct, advanced training, and measurable performance metrics to achieve the best possible results for our clients.

Unlike general practice firms, our exclusive focus on family law gives us a unique advantage. We bring:

• A laser-focused approach to family law – Every attorney, paralegal, and staff member is dedicated solely to this area, which allows us to anticipate challenges and act swiftly.

• Advanced certifications and training – Our attorneys hold credentials such as Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) certification and have completed programs at the University of Virginia Trial Advocacy College and the National Family Law Trial College to sharpen courtroom and litigation skills.

• Transparent performance metrics – We track and measure our client response times, case reviews, and outcomes to ensure that clients always receive exceptional service.

With our proven track record, we have earned the trust of clients throughout Roanoke, Salem, Blacksburg, and Smith Mountain Lake, particularly for high-stakes divorce and custody cases involving significant assets, complex business interests, or contested custody issues.

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Why Instinct Matters

We believe that the single most valuable asset an experienced divorce attorney brings is instinct—the ability to sense when to strike, when to wait, and how to navigate challenges before they fully emerge.

Instinct allows us to:

• Anticipate the opposing side’s tactics, particularly in high-conflict divorces or custody battles.

• Recognize potential roadblocks early, such as hidden financial issues or problematic custody evaluations.

• Decide when to press forward aggressively in court versus when a strategic pause or negotiation will yield better results.

This ability is not guesswork—it is the product of hundreds of cases, careful observation of judicial tendencies, and pattern recognition developed over years of practice.

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The Benefits of a Single-Focus Firm

Family law is complex and emotionally charged. Our exclusive focus on divorce and family law allows us to develop specialized processes and systems that general practitioners often lack.

Highly Developed Processes

We have built workflows and checklists tailored to divorce and custody matters, ensuring no deadlines or strategic opportunities are missed.

Example: In a recent contested custody case, our streamlined discovery process helped us obtain key financial records within weeks—something that could have taken months with a less organized approach.

Collaborative Knowledge Sharing

Our attorneys regularly share insights on judicial tendencies, case strategies, and best practices. Clients benefit not just from one attorney’s perspective but from the collective experience of our entire team.

Judicial Insights

Each court—and often each judge—handles family law issues differently. We maintain a detailed database of judicial preferences and patterns, which allows us to tailor arguments and evidence presentation for maximum impact.

Client Coordinator

Every client is paired with a dedicated client coordinator who checks in regularly, provides case updates, and acts as a reliable point of contact for any concerns.

Methodical Yet Creative Approach

We combine systematic legal strategies with creative problem-solving. Whether it’s crafting unique settlement proposals or finding nuanced ways to present evidence, we identify opportunities that other firms often overlook.

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Deep Expertise and Advanced Training

Family law is constantly evolving, particularly in financial and custody matters. We invest heavily in advanced education and professional development to stay ahead of the curve.

• Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA): Enables us to handle high-net-worth divorces, business valuations, and complex asset division with unmatched skill.

• Advanced Financial Training: Our attorneys and paralegals regularly attend intensive financial training programs to better support our clients.

• National Family Law Trial College: Two of our attorneys spent a week this year undergoing advanced training in custody litigation and business valuation, learning from some of the most respected family law experts in the country.

• University of Virginia Trial Advocacy College: Several of our attorneys have trained at UVA’s nationally recognized Trial Advocacy College, honing advanced courtroom techniques and trial strategies.

• Leadership and Recognition: Devon Slovensky, our founding attorney, is recognized as a Master Advocate by the National Institute of Trial Attorneys and has repeatedly earned the SuperLawyer designation.

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Our Firm Values

Our values define who we are and how we operate, both with our clients and as a team.

1. Honesty and Integrity

We are committed to complete transparency. We tell clients the strengths and weaknesses of their case, advise when a course of action is not aligned with their goals, and do not tolerate dishonesty.

2. Responsiveness

The number one complaint people have about lawyers is lack of communication. We eliminate this issue with biweekly case meetings and an average email response time of 2.5 hours.

3. Effectiveness

We act with purpose, making decisions only when they move the case forward. We do not create unnecessary drama or “perform” in court just to look aggressive.

4. Growth

We look for creative solutions that benefit both parties, avoiding zero-sum battles when possible. This means recognizing strategies like timing a divorce for long-term financial benefits or designing parenting schedules that truly work for families.

5. Continuous Improvement

We strive to be 1% better every day—which means we are 37 times better by the end of the year. We continuously refine our processes, share insights about judges and clerks, and implement firm-wide improvements as we learn.

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Client-Centered Representation

We believe that exceptional service is just as important as exceptional legal strategy.

• Average Email Response Time: Under 3 hours.

• Biweekly Case Reviews: Every case is reviewed internally every two weeks for strategy updates.

• Controlled Caseloads: We limit active cases to ensure every client receives the attention they deserve.

• Regular Check-Ins: Our client coordinator ensures that no client is left wondering about their case status.

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Notable Case Results*

We are proud of the results we have achieved, many of which required creative strategy, deep financial knowledge, and aggressive advocacy:

• Franklin County Circuit Court: Prevented a spousal support award against the primary breadwinner in a multi-decade, multimillion-dollar divorce.

• Montgomery County Circuit Court: Secured a divorce on adultery grounds, protecting the client’s assets and reputation.

• Roanoke City Circuit Court: Won permission for a parent to relocate out of state during divorce proceedings, resulting in career mobility worth hundreds of thousands of dollars; also secured a multi-million-dollar settlement for a spouse despite a prenuptial agreement.

• Roanoke County Circuit Court: Obtained a million-dollar settlement in an 18-month marriage, multiple multi-million-dollar settlements, sole legal and physical custody secured for a parent, and permission for a parent to move four hours away during divorce proceedings, resulting in substantial career advancement opportunities.

• Bedford County Circuit Court: Resolved a contested adoption favorably within three months of being hired.

• Rockingham County Circuit Court: Negotiated a divorce settlement structured to provide lifetime income for the wife after a short-term marriage.

• Salem Circuit Court: Achieved an annulment, a rare legal remedy that required precise legal strategy and aggressive advocacy.

Disclaimer: Results depend on the unique facts of each case. Past successes do not guarantee future outcomes.

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By the Numbers

• 70+ years of combined attorney experience.

• 500+ divorces handled, from uncontested cases to high-conflict litigation.

• Dozens of adoptions finalized, helping families grow and thrive.

• Hundreds of custody and support matters resolved, both through negotiation and litigation.