How much does it cost to hire Brian for a alimony case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Brian walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Brian offer a free consultation?

Brian charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Brian's office. Some alimony attorneys offer free consults — check Brian's current terms during booking.

How long do alimony cases in Virginia typically take?

Simple alimony matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Brian gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Brian take my case if I'm outside Reston?

Brian is licensed in Virginia. Matters governed by Virginia law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Brian will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with Brian?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Brian will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Brian accepting new alimony clients right now?

Brian's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

Brian M. Hirsch, Alimony Attorney in Reston, Virginia

Over 41 years of legal practice · focused on Alimony, Child Custody, and Child Support · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

PartneratHirsch & Ehlenberger, P.C.

Reston, VA

Practicing alimony in Reston since 1985.

41+: Years practicing
5.0 ★: 1 client review
3: Bar admissions

Practices in

Alimony Child Custody Child Support Divorce Family Law General +3 more →

Are you Brian M. Hirsch?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

Brian M. Hirsch is a partner based in Reston, VA. The practice focuses on Alimony, Child Custody, and Child Support. Brian has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Hirsch & Ehlenberger, P.C.. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Based in: Reston, VA
Experience: over 41 years
Known for: Alimony · Child Custody · Child Support

Handles Alimony, Child Custody, and Child Support matters from Reston, VA.
Over 41 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with AV Preeminent.

Areas of practice

Brian's practice areas in Reston

Brian concentrates on alimony, child custody, child support, divorce, and family law. Each area below outlines the kind of case Brian handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Alimony cases in Reston, Virginia

Brian takes alimony matters in Reston, Virginia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Brian agrees to represent you.

Child Custody cases in Reston, Virginia

Brian takes child custody matters in Reston, Virginia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Brian agrees to represent you.

Child Support cases in Reston, Virginia

Brian takes child support matters in Reston, Virginia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Brian agrees to represent you.

Divorce cases in Reston, Virginia

Brian takes divorce matters in Reston, Virginia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Brian agrees to represent you.

Family Law cases in Reston, Virginia

Brian takes family law matters in Reston, Virginia. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Brian agrees to represent you.

Biography

Brian M. Hirsch, alimony attorney serving Reston

Brian has been a divorce attorney litigating and settling cases in Northern Virginia since 1985 and is certified by the Virginia Supreme Court in Family Mediation. He is listed in "The Best Lawyers in America", Washingtonian magazine's Top Divorce Lawyers, Northern Virginia magazine's Top Divorce Lawyers and Virginia Business magazine's "Legal Elite". Brian was presented with a 2017 Leaders in the Law award by Virginia Lawyer's Weekly for his extensive statewide work and leadership in Virginia family law.

He is the editor of the Virginia Family Law Quarterly, the official publication of the Family Law Section of the Virginia State Bar. Brian is a past Chair of the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section Board of Governors. He has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers since 2004. He is also a current member of the Virginia Bar Association Family Law Coalition and served on the Virginia State Bar Fifth District Disciplinary Committee.

Published Works

Brian M. Hirsch and Daniel V. Poliner, Virginia Family Law Trial Handbook: Pleadings, Evidence and Strategies , Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2017

Brian M. Hirsch, Term Sheet or Bust, Legal and Practical Implications of Term Sheets in Mediation, Virginia Family Law Quarterly, Vol. No. 37, Number 4, 2017

Brian M. Hirsch, Unfaithfully Yours: Re-Examining Adultery as a Bar to Spousal Support, Virginia Lawyer, Volume 66, Number 1, 2017

Brian M. Hirsch, Evaluative Mediation: Friend or Foe, Resolutions, Office of the Executive Secretary of the Virginia Supreme Court, Dept. of Judicial Services, Division of Dispute Resolution, Volume 25, Issue 5, 2016

Brian M. Hirsch, Settlement or Bust! Ethical Implications of Late Night Settlements, Family Law News, Volume 31, Number 4, 2011

Brian M. Hirsch, Just be Quiet, Virginia Lawyer, Volume 59, Number 3, 2010

Brian M. Hirsch, Maximizing Your Chances of a Fee Award in a Family Law Case, Family Law News, Volume 30, Number 2, 2010

Brian M. Hirsch, Assessing "Manifest Injustice” in Spousal Support Cases: Playing the Blame Game, Virginia Lawyer, Volume 55, Number 7 , 2007

Betty A. Thompson and Brian M. Hirsch, A New Tool for the Divorce Lawyer: Using the Attorney Lien to Get Paid, Family Law News, Volume 26, Number 3, 2006

Brian M. Hirsch, You Bet Your Spouse’s Life: Examining Virginia's Position on Life Insurance in Divorce, Virginia Lawyer, Volume 53, Number 7, 2005

Brian M. Hirsch and William C. Wood, Monitoring Mediation: Identifying and Monitoring Uncertified Mediators in Virginia, Family Law News, Volume 23, Number 3, 2003

Honors

Fellow, Virginia Law Foundation, 2023

Virginia Family Law Section Service Award, 2020

Best Lawyers in America

Top Divorce Lawyers, Washingtonian Magazine

Top Divorce Lawyers, Northern Virginia Magazine

Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine

Leaders in the Law Award, Virginia Lawyer's Weekly, 2017

Seminars Presented

“Burdensome” Issues In Equitable Distribution Cases: Determining Burdens and Standards of Proof, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2023

Practical Advice: Evidence in Family Law Practice, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2022

Navigating Resist/Refuse Custody Cases, Fairfax Bar Association Annual Conference, 2022

Assisting Our Community: Neighborhood Outreach Program Training – Family Law, Northern Virginia Pro Bono Center, 2021

Where Should I Bring My Case? Strategic Considerations When There are Jurisdiction Options in Family Law Cases, Fairfax Bar Association, 2020

Resist/Refuse Custody Cases: When Children Won’t Go with a Parent, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2019

Avoiding, Bringing and Defending Rules to Show Cause, Fairfax Bar Association, 2018

Mixed Custody Child Support Guidelines, Loudoun Bar Association, 2018

Difficult Clients and Counsel in High-Conflict Cases: Being Ethical and Effective, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2018

The Gray Divorce: Divorcing Later in Life, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2017

Family Law Legislative and Case Law Update, Fairfax Bar Association, 2016

Trial Preparation and Presentation of Child Custody Cases, Northern Virginia Pro Bono Center, 2016

Difficult Clients and Counsel in High Conflict Cases: Being Ethical and Effective, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2015

Navigating the High Conflict Divorce, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2014

Getting to Yes, Fairfax Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, 2014

Everything You Wanted to Know About Child Support , Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 2013

Examining the Trend Toward Shared Custody, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2011

Divorce, Foreclosure and Bankruptcy, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2011

Practicing Family Law at the Intersection of Divorce and Religion, Virginia Women Attorneys Assoc. and Fairfax Bar Association, 2010

Anatomy of a Spousal Support Hearing, Virginia Trial Lawyers Assoc., 2010

Spousal Support Trial Strategies, Fairfax Bar Association, 2009

Equitable Distribution in a Recession, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2009

Evidentiary Issues and Objections in Family Law Cases, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2008

23rd Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar, Moderator, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2007

The Evolving Role of Fault in Virginia (with Patrick McConnell), Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2006

Ethical Concerns in Dealing with Difficult Clients and Opposing Counsel, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2005

So You Thought You Could Avoid Family Law, Virginia State Bar, 2004

Family Law Discovery, Virginia Continuing Legal Ed. Foundation, 2004

Managing Equitable Distribution Cases, Half Moon Enterprises, 2003

Relocation Custody Cases, Fairfax Bar Association, 2002

Division of Stock Options in Divorce, Fairfax Bar Association, 2001

Rehabilitative Alimony, Fairfax Bar Association, 2000

Law School Faculty

Adjunct Professor, George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School

Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Fall 2021 to present)

Brian's approach to alimony cases

Clients Brian works with

Brian reviews new inquiries case-by-case for alimony, child custody, and child support matters in Reston and the surrounding Virginia area.

Credentials

Credentials — where Brian studied and practices

American University, Washington College of Law
J.D. · 1985
Pennsylvania State University B.A. Political Science, Religious Studies, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
—

Jurisdictions

Brian's state bar admissions

U.S. Court of Appeal
1985 · ACTIVE
Virginia
1985 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1985 · ACTIVE

Brian studied at J.D. in American University, Washington College of Law and — in Pennsylvania State University B.A. Political Science, Religious Studies, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society.

Law school and academic background

Brian completed J.D. in American University, Washington College of Law and — in Pennsylvania State University B.A. Political Science, Religious Studies, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Brian runs in Virginia is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Brian's legal honors and published work

Brian has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

AV Preeminent

Legal awards and honors

AV Preeminent.

Affiliations

Brian's professional memberships and bar associations

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
bar_fellowship

Locations

Brian M. Hirsch's office in Reston

Brian's primary office is at 12110 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 401, Reston, VA, 20190. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Hirsch & Ehlenberger, P.C.

12110 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 401

Reston, VA 20190

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Brian M. Hirsch — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Every review below is from a verified client of Brian. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing alimony attorneys in Reston.

5.0

1 client review

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Brian M. Hirsch claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Brian M. Hirsch — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new alimony attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Brian usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Brian charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Brian's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Brian will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a alimony attorney in Reston, Virginia

A short list to run through before you commit: How many alimony matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Brian

Brian discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in alimony practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every alimony matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Brian confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Brian's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many alimony practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Brian M. Hirsch

How much does it cost to hire Brian for a alimony case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Brian walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Brian offer a free consultation?
Brian charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Brian's office. Some alimony attorneys offer free consults — check Brian's current terms during booking.
How long do alimony cases in Virginia typically take?
Simple alimony matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Brian gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Brian take my case if I'm outside Reston?
Brian is licensed in Virginia. Matters governed by Virginia law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Brian will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Brian?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Brian will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Brian accepting new alimony clients right now?
Brian's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Alimony attorneys serving Reston, Richmond and Alexandria in Virginia

Brian handles alimony matters throughout Virginia. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified alimony attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Brian's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these alimony attorneys in Reston handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.