Tate Custer Love, Criminal Defense Attorney in Staunton, Virginia
Over 26 years of legal practice · focused on Criminal Defense, Employment, and General · 4.7/5 rating from 2 verified client reviews
Of CounselatTimberlakeSmith
Staunton, VA
Practicing criminal defense in Staunton since 2000.
- 26+
- Years practicing
- 4.7 ★
- 2 client reviews
- 1
- Bar admission
Are you Tate Custer Love?
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Quick answer
Tate Custer Love is an of counsel based in Staunton, VA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Employment, and General. Tate has over 26 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at TimberlakeSmith. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.
- Based in
- Staunton, VA
- Experience
- over 26 years
- Known for
- Criminal Defense · Employment · General
- Handles Criminal Defense, Employment, and General matters from Staunton, VA.
- Over 26 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
About Tate Custer Love: Tate Custer Love is an of counsel based in Staunton, VA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Employment, and General. Tate has over 26 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at TimberlakeSmith. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 2 client reviews.
Areas of practice
Tate's practice areas in Staunton
Tate concentrates on criminal defense, employment, general, insurance, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Tate handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Criminal Defense
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Employment
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General
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Insurance
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Litigation
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Traffic
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Criminal Defense cases in Staunton, Virginia
Tate takes criminal defense matters in Staunton, 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 Tate agrees to represent you.
Employment cases in Staunton, Virginia
Tate takes employment matters in Staunton, 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 Tate agrees to represent you.
General cases in Staunton, Virginia
Tate takes general matters in Staunton, 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 Tate agrees to represent you.
Insurance cases in Staunton, Virginia
Tate takes insurance matters in Staunton, 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 Tate agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in Staunton, Virginia
Tate takes litigation matters in Staunton, 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 Tate agrees to represent you.
Biography
Tate Custer Love, criminal defense attorney serving Staunton
Tate Custer Love is an of counsel based in Staunton, VA. The practice focuses on Criminal Defense, Employment, and General. Tate has over 26 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at TimberlakeSmith. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 2 client reviews. Tate works from Staunton, Virginia and takes on criminal defense matters across the region.
Tate Custer Love is a lawyer practicing insurance defense, civil litigation, criminal defense and 3 other areas of law. Tate received a B.A. degree from College of William & Mary in 1997, and has been licensed for 26 years. Tate practices at TimberlakeSmith in Staunton, VA.
Working with Tate on a criminal defense matter
Tate Custer Love is a lawyer practicing insurance defense, civil litigation, criminal defense and 3 other areas of law. Tate received a B.A. degree from College of William & Mary in 1997, and has been licensed for 26 years. Tate practices at TimberlakeSmith in Staunton, VA.
Who Tate represents
Tate reviews new inquiries case-by-case for criminal defense, employment, and general matters in Staunton and the surrounding Virginia area.
Credentials
Credentials — where Tate studied and practices
College of William & Mary
J.D. · 2000
College of William & Mary
B.A. · 1997
Jurisdictions
Tate's state bar admissions
Virginia
2000 · ACTIVE
Tate studied at J.D. in College of William & Mary and B.A. in College of William & Mary.
Law school and academic background
Tate completed J.D. in College of William & Mary and B.A. in College of William & Mary. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Tate runs in Virginia is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Affiliations
Tate's professional memberships and bar associations
Augusta County and American Bar Associations Virginia State Bar Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
membership
Locations
Tate Custer Love's office in Staunton
Tate's primary office is at The Virginia Building, 25 North Central Avenue, Staunton, VA, 22402-0108. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
TimberlakeSmith
The Virginia Building, 25 North Central Avenue
Staunton, VA 22402-0108
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Tate Custer Love — 4.7/5 rating from 2 verified client reviews
Every review below is from a verified client of Tate. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing criminal defense attorneys in Staunton.
4.7
2 client reviews
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Tate Custer Love claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Tate Custer Love — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new criminal defense attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Tate usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Tate charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Tate'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; Tate will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a criminal defense attorney in Staunton, Virginia
A short list to run through before you commit: How many criminal defense 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 Tate
Tate discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in criminal defense practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every criminal defense 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. Tate confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Tate's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many criminal defense practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Tate Custer Love
How much does it cost to hire Tate for a criminal defense case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Tate walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Tate offer a free consultation?
Tate charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Tate's office. Some criminal defense attorneys offer free consults — check Tate's current terms during booking.
How long do criminal defense cases in Virginia typically take?
Simple criminal defense 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. Tate gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Tate take my case if I'm outside Staunton?
Tate 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 — Tate 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 Tate?
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. Tate will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Tate accepting new criminal defense clients right now?
Tate's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Criminal Defense attorneys serving Staunton, Richmond and Alexandria in Virginia
Tate handles criminal defense matters throughout Virginia. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified criminal defense attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated criminal defense attorneys in Virginia
If Tate's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these criminal defense attorneys in Staunton handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.





