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A lifelong Virginian, Ashli comes to us from Crook & Pack, a general litigation firm located in Smithfield, Virginia. Ashli brings to the firm a great deal of experience in Suffolk, Smithfield, Isle of Wight, Newport News, Hampton, and York County. Having grown up in Suffolk and spent the majority of her post-law school life living in Smithfield, she has a familiarity with the courts and the judges in that area that can’t be beat.
Ashli received her undergraduate education at East Carolina University, and attended law school at Widener College of Law in Delaware. At the time, she says she was hoping to eventually practice corporate law, but then realized she absolutely hated it! She returned back home after law school, to the practice where she originally worked as a paralegal, and discovered her love of family law cases—divorce, custody, protective orders, adoptions, and more.
A child of divorce, Ashli understands the unique circumstances involved in family law cases, and brings a compassionate understanding to issues specific to women only in divorce and custody cases.
Ashli married her high school sweetheart (though she insists isn’t that romantic, even though we disagree), Brian, a lifelong Smithfield native. Brian is a co-owner of Smithfield Station, along with his brother, another prominent local business. Together, Ashli and Brian have four kids (two of the two-legged kind and two of the four-legged kind); a daughter named Lucy, a son named Turner, and two Labrador Retrievers, Sam and Abigail.
Aside from her family, Ashli’s great love is the outdoors, where she enjoys boating, paddleboarding, and spending time at the beach. She’s also incredibly athletic (and crazy competitive), and played basketball, volleyball and track in high school, and even continued to play volleyball on into her college years. These days, though, Ashli spends her time managing her active family, and you’re likely to find her shuttling kids from t-ball to soccer and piano lessons. Ashli also loves sushi, the color pink (who doesn’t?), Redskins football, and beating her husband in cornhole tournaments.
Lorna Rhoades, Attorney at Law
1604 Hilltop West Executive Center, Suite 300
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
757-425-5200
Lorna Cobb Rhoades, a native of Poughkeepsie, New York, came back to Hofheimer Family Law after an internship here in 2008. She met our founder, Charlie Hofheimer, and his daughter, Kristen Hofheimer, through an old family connection. Her parents adopted a total of six children (in addition to four biological children, of whom Lorna is the eldest). One child was adopted from Korea, another through Catholic Charities, and the remaining four through the foster care system through an attorney in Pennsylvania.
Lorna went to law school at the University of Florida, and connected with her family’s lawyer friend, who referred her to Hofheimer Family Law. Our work with Protective Moms groups, and Charlie and his wife Diane’s work with Champions for Children (formerly Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads) led Lorna to our doors. A staunch advocate for children, after seeing firsthand what kind of neglectful and abusive situations came out of the foster care system, Lorna always knew she wanted to be an advocate for children. Interested in both adoption and custody work, Lorna knew that family law was the avenue she wanted to pursue.
Lorna has a wealth of experience, too, which she brings to her practice of family law. Her husband, Mick, a flight officer in the Navy, has been stationed in a number of difference places during Lorna’s years in practice. After law school, she practiced in Georgia, where she accepted a prestigious position as a law clerk for Senior Judge Hugh Lawson, a United States District Judge in the Middle District of Georgia, and then as an attorney practicing employee benefits law at a private law firm in Atlanta, Georgia. She then moved to Arizona, where she worked in the Pima County Attorney’s Office, Civil Division. She returned to Virginia in 2017 and started practicing family law in another local family law attorney’s office, but couldn’t resist the opportunity to return to Hofheimer Family Law.
Lorna’s experience touches on a number of issues important to Hampton Roads women – as a Navy wife, she’s intimately acquainted with the specific issues military spouses face, and is comfortable navigating the tricky territory associated with military divorce law. In her work in the Pima County Attorney’s office, she worked in the mental health area (specifically authorizing involuntary commitments, and so on), which makes her particularly well informed when it comes to husbands with unique mental health issues. Obviously, too, her personal experience with adoption her legal experience with divorce and custody cases brings an interesting and valuable perspective.
An ardent advocate for moms in the courtroom, Lorna is also clever, quick, and comfortable in negotiations. Serving her client’s best interests is her first priority, and she does so with zeal, professionalism, and confidence.
The mother of two children, Gracie and Callan, who keep her pretty busy, Lorna also loves to work out (particularly Zumba) and play the French horn. Lorna and Mick live in Chesapeake, where her family lives nearby.
Though we can’t guarantee results, and every case is different, we’ve had some pretty happy clients over the years!
Lorna was very kind and informative. She did not make me feel uncomfortable and made me feel like she was actually addressing my concerns, needs, and my interests. Previously I met with another attorney who made me feel uncomfortable about my situation and as though I was not entitled to anything. However, Mrs. Rhoades did not make me feel uncomfortable and made me feel like she was actually addressing my concerns, needs, and my interests. She was informative and encouraging. I learned a lot during my consultation and feel confident and comfortable moving forward with my divorce.
I am a mother of two children and one grandchild. She was a great listener and very compassionate. She addressed all of my needs and concerns.
Lorna gave me good legal advice and opinions to work with. She is very knowledgeable and seemed to understand my situation. I like women lawyers that understand women’s needs. Everything is going well, she gave me many opinions and choose what would work for my life outcome.
I was very pleased with my experience, I had a positive experience. She was very easy to talk to and made me feel at ease about my situation.
Lorna Rhoades was very kind and understood my personal needs. She was concerned about my future and brought up things that I was not thinking about. I believe that she has my best interest at heart. All of my questions were answered, Mrs. Rhoades pointed out a lot of things that I was not aware of and was very understanding. It was not complicated to explain my situation and to be understood. I would want everyone to have the best legal representation.
Lorna was very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable. She made me feel comfortable in an obviously stressful situation and spoke to me in a professional manner but with understanding and empathy. The staff in the office were friendly and kind as well. I left my appointment with all of my questions answered and feeling as good as possible about what may happen in my situation.
As soon as I sat down to speak with Lorna Rhoades, she listened so intently and briefly reviewed supporting documentation to my case. Immediately I felt as if she was meant to be our attorney. And, by not retaining her a great asset to our case would be lost.
Lorna is knowledgeable about the law and personable. She really makes you feel like she cares about your voice and your children's best interests. I felt, even though I had been with my attorney for 3 years, that in our current case my voice as a parent was not being accurately represented or recognized.
Your firm does a wonderful job with women. I can't think of anything that would improve what you're already doing.
Lori Michaud, Attorney at Law
1604 Hilltop West Executive Center, Suite 300
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
757-425-5200
As a child, Lori’s father often told her the story of the Princess and the Pea, always telling her, at the end, his version of the moral of the story: “If you don’t like the life (bed) you’ve made, get up and make it again!” An adage that has remained with her all her life, especially as both a child of divorce and a divorcee herself, Lori knows what it’s like to go through the process and come out stronger on the other side.
Lori places a great deal of value on the importance of family, which has shaped her strong personality and brought her to where she is today. Lori relocated to Virginia Beach following her own divorce, where she enjoyed the support of her own large extended family as she rebuilt her life in Virginia.
Lori joined the Hofheimer Family Law family after an illustrious career working in firms both large and small (and owning her own local law practice). Lori is unique to our firm in the sense that she has handled cases in a wide array of practice areas – including complex commercial litigation and criminal law, in addition to her vast family law experience. She is also licensed to practice in New Jersey and New York, in addition to Virginia. Her biggest strength? Lori is a seasoned and comfortable litigator, combining preparedness with serious attention to detail!
Lori received her B.A. from Rutgers College, and her law degree from Rutgers University Law School, where she was a New Jersey Bell Scholar at Rutgers College and a Phillip J. Levin Scholar at Rutgers Law School, based upon her academic ability and potential capacity for public service through law.
She began practicing law in 1988 with a unique familiarity with and understanding of the court system, after having served as a judicial legal intern to the Honorable Maryanne Trump Barry, Judge, United States District Court, and as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Murry D. Brochin, Judge, Superior Court of New Jersey. Lori was an associate attorney at the law firms of Greenberg, Dauber & Epstein in Newark, New Jersey, and at Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch (now Day, Pitney) before relocating to Virginia.
Following the birth of her son, Lori opened her own practice, The Law Office of Lori A. Michaud, P.C., handling civil, criminal defense and family law cases. Lori brings a number of distinct advantages to her practice of law, from working closely with judges, handling complex cases involving extensive litigation, working with firms both large and small, practicing across state lines, and, also, on a personal level, being both a mother and a local business owner. She also has a tough, no nonsense personality, and a frank, levelheaded demeanor that serves her well in a courtroom and during difficult negotiations.
Lori’s son is now grown, living on campus and studying business at Old Dominion University. Now an empty nester, except for her sweet goldendoodle, Yankee Doodle Boy (“Doodles”), Lori is finding time for re-establishing hobbies that she hasn’t had time to enjoy for years. When she’s not killing it in the courtroom, Lori enjoys biking, exploring, and she swims nearly every day.
Caitlin Walters, Attorney at Law
1604 Hilltop West Executive Center, Suite 300
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
757-425-5200
Caitlin Walters joined the Hofheimer Family Law Firm in 2013 after practicing at another local family law firm. Caitlin got her BS in History and Secondary Education from McKendree University in Illinois. She was also a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the education honor society. From there, she moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia to attend law school at Regent University, where she served as editor in chief of the esteemed Journal of International Law. She also interned at the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Following law school, Caitlin practiced at Phillips & Peters in Norfolk, Virginia. She handles many complex family law cases, but particularly enjoys custody cases. While at Phillips & Peters, Caitlin was certified by the Virginia courts to work as a Guardian ad litem, an attorney who represents children whose parents are involved in difficult custody cases. It is the job of the Guardian ad Litem to ultimately make recommendations to the court regarding appropriate placement for children, based on what is in the best interests of the child.
When Caitlin came to Hofheimer Family Law, she brought with her a unique understanding of the way local courts function and a passion for handling complicated custody cases. She is a knowledgeable but approachable attorney who is as comfortable drafting documents regarding complicated property distribution as litigating custody arrangements in front of a judge. Caitlin is a fierce advocate for her clients and a meticulous and incredibly detail oriented attorney.
Caitlin is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Lance, a gregarious former DJ turned IT staffing consultant, who she met when she was just 16 years old. She and her husband live in Virginia Beach with their dog, Carpenter. They are also active members in their church, First Baptist Church of Norfolk, where they both serve as young adult pastors and belong to a Christian worship band. In her spare time, Caitlin enjoys reading and music. She has been a member of her church choir from the age of 3, and can also play the trumpet and the piano. Caitlin really loves the St. Louis Cardinals, brightly colored sunglasses, and the great state of Missouri.
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I am a mom of 3 boys going through a divorce. Caitlin is a mom too and understands the baby phase. It was helpful that she listened to me.
I am a previous divorce client with a child from my first marriage. I knew her from years before and she remembered me. Her kindness and support will allow me to go through this more easily.
She was wonderful. She answered lots of my questions. The consult was so helpful that I am going to retain her.
Caitlin was very knowledgeable and was very easy to talk to. Very pleasant. I feel confident that she will take good care of my case. I left the consultation feeling like I was taken seriously, and that Caitlin cared about what I was going through.
Caitlin was very clear and efficient and understood what I was going for immediately. I loved the speed with which I was able to get her help! She was friendly and efficient and I felt immediately that we were on the same page. I am confident she will move on my issue speedily. I am confident that I am on my way to solving a longstanding issue with a very competent lawyer. I called on Monday and I was able to speak to Caitlin on Tuesday - about 24 hours later! That's amazing!
Caitlin was very open and honest on what I need to do to protect myself during this difficult time.
Caitlin made me feel important and she took her time to explain everything to me when I had questions. She is a very smart lady, very good and detailed. I like the fact that the law firm represents females only.
Caitlin Walters was personable, knowledgeable, confident, and put me at ease with the situation. She was wonderful! I highly recommend her and plan on hiring.
Caitlin was extremely helpful! She couldn’t have been more helpful over the phone than if I had been able to be there in person. She even brought it to my attention that I needed to send in my interrogatories by a certain date or I could be penalized. I feel prepared to go to my court date and feel confident in what I need to say to the judge.
Caitlin presented at the 2nd Saturday seminar I attended. It was very informative and helped me understand the crucial elements in divorce, what to expect and made me feel more confident & positive with representation from Hofheimer firm. Caitlin covered everything I wanted to know, she was very responsive and answered the questions I had correctly. I so appreciated the information shared.
I attended the 2nd Saturday seminar and found Caitlin to be very informative. I had been asking questions about divorce, researching online, and I found I would hear many different answers. Coming to the seminar, I received the correct answer to my question and heard valuable facts. Caitlin was clear and she delivered the information in a personable way I related to. She also gave great examples. I may come back!
Caitlin outlined many options for me and was extremely helpful. I got a lot of valuable information, including an understanding how a separation agreement works. She was very focused on my needs and rights. She listened attentively and made me feel secure in her advice. My goal is to move out of state, which will be complicated, but she made these options easy to understand and weigh.
There’s nothing I didn’t like about this firm. Caitlin is awesome! They offer so many services and the attorney I met with was great. I felt like she really listened to my questions and was on my side about how I wanted to handle things going forward.
I’m a going though a separation. I met with Caitlin and she was professional and to the point. I liked the information and felt comfortable enough to hire her.
I felt comfortable talking with Mrs. Walters and Lorna. If they had not advised me to go to the spousal support hearing I would have missed out on the small amount of support I was awarded. However, I am grateful to be awarded any amount. Mrs. Walters remembered me from the seminar, helped me put some significant points in my agreement and educated me on the next steps to take toward the divorce process. They educated me very well about what to expect. Although, he did sign the agreement I did not because my spouse HAD NOT filed his malpractice case and my attorney advised me not to sign. I was surprise he had not filed because he had been telling me that they were about to settle the case. As your book said the Husband LIES.
Caitlin listened and heard me and what I am hoping to achieve. I felt comfortable with the plan(s) I left with.
Caitlin was very welcoming and attentive to my requests and questions in regards to the divorce. She helped me understand what was missing and what needs to be done to move forward with my divorce. She made me feel at ease with the current situation.
Caitlin immediately put my fears to rest. She listened answered my questions and gave me confidence that all was going to be right. Her quick manner at appraising the situation, checking and rechecking paperwork and confidence showed she knew what the next steps were to be. I needed quick answers and was able to get an immediate consultation. Felt there was honesty, thoroughness and confidence which I needed.
I left feeling like Caitlin was thoughtful and genuine in her advice responses. She gave me advice on how to carry on from this point out... with or w/o retaining her services, she helped me at least get my head in the game. There were things that I hadn't considered before, such as, I actually had to file for Custody and Visitation if I wanted to ask for time. This law firm gave me some hope and I felt like they did what they could to help me.
Caitlin was an absolute joy to work with, she put me at ease and worked very hard to get all of my needs and wants written down. She was very knowledge and caring. I felt she had my best interest in mind and was ready to do what ever needs to be done to help me in my situation.
Caitlin was considerate and knowledgeable. She was very understanding and explained everything very well, without making me feel uneducated. I didn't leave the office with any unanswered questions.
Caitlin was very informative and covered all aspects of the divorce process. She was very helpful in answering questions and providing clarity to the group. I am very grateful this seminar was available to women. I've tried several attempts to seek legal guidance with unanswered questions and found little to no support from other firms without paying an upfront retainer fee.
From Custody Boot Camp:
How you present yourself in court is important and I was never coached on that. This also lets me know what to expect of my lawyer. I liked that Caitlin seemed to take her cases personally and not just as number.
From Custody Bootcamp:
Invaluable information! I've had three court appointed attorneys in the past three years and never knew how much of an injustice was being done to my case and what I am actually entitled to do.
Katherine Wilcox Carter, Attorney at Law
1604 Hilltop West Executive Center, Suite 300
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
757-425-5200
Katherine Wilcox Carter joined the Hofheimer Family Law Firm in 2011. A lifetime resident of Hampton Roads, Katie grew up in Newport News, Virginia, where her family owns Wilcox Bait & Tackle, an outdoor sporting goods store. She graduated from Menchville High School in 2004, where she swam and played field hockey. After high school, she attended Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she got her B.A. in Political Science and English and graduated with highest honors. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, served on the Student Judicial Board, and worked with the AmeriCorps through the Bonner Leaders program. From there, she attended law school at West Virginia University.
After graduating from law school, Katie returned to Hampton Roads and started working with Hofheimer Family Law. She took on two roles: attorney and marketer. She quickly realized that she could combine her lifelong love of writing with her knowledge of the law through the firm’s marketing efforts, and started by keeping up the firm’s online presence through posting blog entries, articles, and press releases. She has also represented a number of women in their divorce and custody disputes, and particularly enjoys custody cases.
Katie and her husband, Jonathan, a tug boat captain and part time charter boat fisherman, live in Newport News, with their son, Will, their daughter, Louisa, and two (nearly) perfect Labrador retrievers, Sally and Cash. Together, Katie and Jonathan spend a lot of time outdoors hunting, fishing, boating, and playing with their kids. Katie also loves running, reading, and drinking Virginia wine.
Rated by Super Lawyers
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Though we can’t guarantee results, and every case is different, we’ve had some pretty happy clients over the years!
Though we can’t guarantee results, and every case is different, we’ve had some pretty happy clients over the years!
She was knowledgeable and empathetic to my situation. She presented the necessary information clearly for a complex situation.
Katie exceeded my expectations! She listened, she answered all my questions and provided information that didn’t know I needed. I am know more confident that I will be ok after divorce. She genuinely showed me that she cared about me and my well being. She didn’t withhold information and I am now better prepared to move forward.
Katie struck me as knowledgeable in family law. I appreciated her expression of empathy and am certain she will act in my best interest. I like that you only represent women.
Katie was very warm. She was able to answer the questions that I had in a way that was easy for me to understand. It was almost strange to be associated with a professional entity that was 100% geared towards a woman and her needs. Even the directions to your law firm was extremely female oriented. Good job!
Katie listened and was supportive. The consult allayed many of my concerns and affirmed much of what I thought I already knew. She was clear, knowledgeable and advising.
She made me feel much more at ease about the process, and spent time getting to know me as a person at the same time.
I like the seminar. The speaker was very clear and friendly. I would like to come back to the next seminar. I wish I could have come before. Thank you for all the help!
Katie is terrific! Wonderful, helpful, knowledgeable, and answered specific questions regarding military and civilian pensions. Huzzah to the firm and Katie's commitment to helping women!
Katie Carter was open to questions and answered everything on the spot. Lots of resources and great information. I'm going to try the do-it-yourself separation agreement in the next couple months.
Sheera Herrell, Attorney at Law
1604 Hilltop West Executive Center, Suite 300
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
757-425-5200
Sheera joined Hofheimer Family Law Firm back in 1999 when she was a brand new graduate of Albany Law School. From the moment she started working, her emphasis has been on representing women only in divorce and custody cases.
Sheera has a diverse background, both legally and personally. As our firm’s only collaboratively trained attorney, Sheera works closely with Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Tidewater, and currently serves as the group’s chair. She’s also a skilled litigator, even successfully taking cases on to the appellate court level.
A Certified Financial PlannerTM, Sheera is exceptionally skilled at handling cases with complicated equitable distribution issues. She applies her considerable skills to obtaining the best financial settlements for her clients.
Sheera is a member of the Virginia State Bar, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Virginia Beach Bar Association, Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Tidewater, International Association of Collaborative Professionals, Financial Planning Association and Virginia Collaborative Professionals. Sheera was selected for inclusion in Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Stars Edition 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, a Super Lawyer in 2015, and is committed to providing all of her clients the personal attention they deserve.
Sheera and her husband live in Virginia Beach with their two children. Sheera is also a violist and a current member of Symphonicity, the Symphony Orchestra of Virginia Beach. She also enjoys going to the gym (in fact, you’ll find her at Wareing’s Gym almost every day), and loves running in local races with her kids.
When you meet Sheera, you’ll notice that, in person, she’s thoughtful, friendly, and understanding. She’s experienced and up for anything—in her practice and also in her personal life. In fact—Sheera gave birth to her daughter in the car on the way to the hospital—so let’s just say she’s up for just about anything!
Rated by Super Lawyers
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Though we can’t guarantee results, and every case is different, we’ve had some pretty happy clients over the years!
Ms. Herrell was very kind, she listened to what I had to say, and was responsive. Her kindness and knowledge were great and I think she will fight for my interests. I liked being able to have a video conference rather than coming in person to the law office - it was much more convenient.
I feel like she took the time to understand the issues. I have a blended family and co-parenting issues and I am positive that she can help me.
She helped me with a place to start as this was all new to me and never been through anything like this before. She listened to my concerns and helped me feel a little less stressed by the end of the meeting. I felt comfortable with her and I feel that she truly connected with my concerns for my children. This was all a very scary step as I was never expecting to go through this at my age. She listened to my concerns and I felt relieved just after my first consult.
I learned some new things. She was logical and down to earth. I really felt like she listened. I am ready to get this done as quickly as possible. I was terrified and she put my mind at ease.
She was very professional. As a woman, I felt very comfortable telling her my concerns. I feel she is capable of handling all of them. I'm hiring Hofheimer Family Law to represent me.
She understood my situation and the stress imposed by the whole process. She understood the errors in my divorce process as the duration of the process has gone on for so long.
Thank you for all your help over the past year and a half. You have always been so prompt to respond to my requests and so understanding. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you.
Sheera understood the facts and developed a plan that I am completely happy with. I have and will continue to recommended her whenever someone needs a divorce lawyer.
Sheera has represented me, very successfully, in the past. She is compassionate and warm in person, yet tough and effective in the courtroom. I believe in getting out ahead of potential problems, which was the purpose of this consultation. I highly recommend her!
She knew what she was talking about and showed me mistakes other legal professionals missed in my court filings. I was impressed with her knowledge and she laid out all of my options for me in a clear and concise way, which is exactly what I needed.
My ex-husband, also an Attorney, can manufacture more loopholes and psychological backflips than any other 100 people I know - and Sheera handled him VERY well. The fact my divorce was granted on Halloween day could not have been more poetic. My biggest regret is that I did not find her sooner and my biggest relief is that she helped rescue me from a marital nightmare. I give her my highest respect and recommendation - and so do my parents and friends.
Sheera was very personable, empathetic, sympathetic, and knowledgeable.
The seminar was really helpful. I gained a lot of knowledge on separation and custody. I really appreciate all of your help. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to inform women on their rights in divorce and separation.
My daughter and I have spent much time trying to obtain financial assistance for her and her twins. It was fruitless until we were recommended to your firm. Our initial consultation with you sparked hope. You seemed to be a man capable of getting a job done. You turned our case over to Sheera Herrell who reflected your reputation and firm in a most commendable way. She was accessible, knowledgeable of our case and quick to act. We felt represented and protected in a most fundamental way. Our family sends your firm a boquet of gratefulness.
