Grenadier, Duffett, Levi, Winkler & Rubin P.C. 649 South Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

"I am writing this review because going through custody disagreements is a vulnerable and distressing time. Making a decision on counsel is hard and if it is your first time going through something like this it is very difficult to know what to do. Based on a recommendation I reached out to Mr. Ben Duffett while going through a separation. I followed his instructions and he represented me in my custody petition and JDR case. 1) Prior to court Mr. Duffett negotiated with the respondents counsel and me over the phone. Later I learned that this is not standard practice. There should have been an email record of all negotiations. He did not offer what I agreed to because he thought they wouldn't accept it. 2) In preparation for court I requested a listed of questions I would be asked. I was not given a list of questions for myself or the respondent. This is a standard practice in court preparation and it was clear that the respondent received this consideration. Instead Mr. Duffett told me the day of trial to have 'diarrhea of the mouth' about my children. This left me unprepared to answer his questions and him unprepared for my answers (some of which surprised him). 3) Mr. Duffett asked me to bring my family and witnesses to court. I brought four witnesses and five family members. After court was convened he had all of my supporters leave the courtroom (even those not listed as witnesses) and when I asked for some of them to stay he said they should go because he may want to call them as witnesses. He did not call one witness. Nor did he prepare any of the witnesses for questioning. Do not go here. You have no recourse against poor representation. I wish someone had warned me of that."

"Carolyn Abbate is an excellent attorney. She was thorough, efficient, considerate, and very helpful throughout my case. Highly recommend this law firm."

"Carolyn Abbate came highly recommended to me by an attorney friend and she is an outstanding attorney. After speaking to other family law attorneys, I was so impressed by her that I decided to retain her on the spot. I have never once regretted that decision. She has represented me on a number of complex legal issues throughout the years, both litigating in the courtroom and negotiating out of court agreements. She is very professional, responsive, organized, thorough, and well prepared. She is someone I trust and highly recommend!"

"A divorce, even uncontested, is hard on a family and difficult enough without dealing with an unresponsive, slow-moving attorney. After over a year of delays and excuses, I fired him and followed up on a recommendation to contact Grenadier, Starace, Duffett & Levi P.C. Carolyn Abbate thoughtfully explained the steps and court processes. Recognizing my desire for a harmonious post-divorce relationship, she helped smooth out issues that could have become points of contention. Ms. Abbate also sped things up enormously, guiding me in providing her with relevant information, feeding back documents for review and promptly passing them on, which had the added benefit of encouraging my wife’s attorney to match her pace. The outcome was a swift, amicable resolution that allowed family relationships to heal."

"Mrs. Ilona Grenadier and Mrs. Carolyn Abbate saved my life by helping me navigate the very complicated system of getting divorced in VA and cope with the very nasty attorneys my husband had represent him. Mrs. Grenadier was always fierce but polite when dealing with the nonsense his attorneys would constantly throw at us. She is a brilliant attorney and professional always. Her experience and personal relationships are bar none. It was the worst two years of my life, and I would recommend the firm to anyone. I am grateful I had them on my side."