Sean P. Schmergel has been consistently recognized as one the DMVs top divorce and family law attorneys, including by Washingtonian Magazine, Arlington Magazine, Super Lawyers and U.S. News's Best Lawyers. He co-founded Schmergel & Mersberger, PLC over 20 years ago and has continued to hone his legal practice before the local courts, developing a reputation as a zealous and thoughtful family law advocate. A resident of Northern Virginia for over 30 years, Mr. Schmergel holds a genuine concern for the legal matters that affect the members of his community, and he devotes his practice to helping families throughout the Northern Virginia jurisdictions of Arlington, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun, as well as Washington, D.C., with all of their complex and emotional legal challenges.
Focusing exclusively on family law, Mr. Schmergel has achieved extraordinary success advocating on behalf of the rights and best interests of those he serves who are going through divorce or other family law cases, helping them with their issues involving child custody and support, alimony, property division, and other related matters. He also delivers effective prenuptial and other marital agreements, assists with modifications and enforcements, and provides much-needed support for domestic abuse victims seeking protections for themselves and their children, or those wrongly accused and in need of a vigorous defense.
Mr. Schmergel has extensive experience settling cases through mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution, helping his clients resolve their conflicts and reach agreements without the need for costly, drawn-out litigation; however, as a highly-rated and seasoned trial attorney, he will not hesitate to fight hard on behalf of his clients in court when necessary. He has litigated many high-conflict divorce and child custody cases, including international custody disputes. As a father, Mr. Schmergel holds a particular concern for children caught in the divorce process as well as for those in abusive situations, and he serves as guardian ad litem for children throughout Northern Virginia.
A 1996 graduate of George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts in government and politics, Mr. Schmergel returned to his alma mater and attended George Mason University School of Law. After obtaining his Juris Doctor in 2000 he was admitted to practice in Virginia and subsequently admitted in Washington, D.C., as well as to the bars of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and the United States Supreme Court.
Active in his legal community, he is the past president of the Arlington Bar Association and serves on Arlington’s Judicial Screening Committee. He currently serves on the Virginia State Bar’s District 4-II Disciplinary Committee and was the Chair from 2016-2018. He is a member of the Arlington County Bar Association and the Family Law Sections of the Virginia State Bar and The District of Columbia Bar.
Honors
• Super Lawyers Selectee, Virginia; 2014 - 2015, 2018 - Present
• Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Selectee, Virginia; 2012 - 2014
Classes & Seminars
• Uncontested Divorce in Arlington, Arlington Bar Association, 10/25/2013
• Lecturer/Presenter, Child Support Modification: What Constitutes a Material Change in Circumstances?, Arlington Bar Association, 2014
Fraternities & Sororities
• Chi Phi
Certified Legal Specialties
• Guardian Ad Litem for Children, Supreme Court of Virginia
Professional Associations
• Virginia State Bar, Family Law Section, Member
• District of Columbia Bar, Family Law Section, Member
• Arlington County Bar Association, Member
• Arlington Bar Association, Director-at-Large, 06/2008 to 05/2010
• Arlington Bar Association, Secretary, 06/2010 to 05/2012
• Arlington Bar Association, President-Elect, 06/2012 to 05/2013
• Arlington Bar Association, President, 06/2013 to 05/2014
• Arlington Bar Association, Immediate Past President, 06/2014 to 05/2015
• Virginia State Bar, 4th District - Section II Disciplinary Committee, 07/2016 to Present
