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Biographical Information

Paul Smollar has been practicing family law for almost forty years, and has become a leader in Collaborative Practice in the Washington Metropolitan Area.  Recognized as the only trained mediator in the District of Columbia by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Mr. Smollar nevertheless is an accomplished litigator when matters do not settle.

In 2012, 2013, and 2014 Mr. Smollar was recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top ten lawyers in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.  He has also been recognized as one of Washington D.C.’s top divorce lawyers in Washingtonian Magazine. His practice has been recognized for the past ten years in The Best Lawyers in America and is regularly recognized in Super Lawyers publications.

Mr. Smollar practices in both the District of Columbia and Virginia and is an active member of the Fairfax County Bar, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the Family Law Section of the District of Columbia Bar.

Mr. Smollar has also been a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) since 1990.   During 2004 and 2005, he served as the President of the D.C. Chapter of the AAML. He has served as a member of the Virginia State Bar Legislative Committee and was the co-chair of the ADR-Case Evaluator of the Family Law Action Group.  Mr. Smollar presently serves as an Alternative Dispute Facilitator for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia’s Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) program.

Mr. Smollar has completed the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers’ Arbitration Program and Mediation Program. He is a trained arbitrator and enjoys an active mediation practice. He lectures on family law matters for continuing legal education programs in D.C. and Virginia, including: “Divorce Taxation” (D.C.), “How to Trace and Make it Interesting” (VA), “Valuations of Closely-Held Businesses” (VA), and “Family Law Around the Beltway” (D.C.).  Mr. Smollar has been a panelist on television discussing the role and value of separation and property settlement agreements.

In the emerging area of Collaborative Law, Mr. Smollar has become one of the most sought after practitioners in the District of Columbia and Virginia. In 2012, Mr. Smollar was named Collaborative Lawyer of the Year for the D.C. metropolitan area by Best Lawyers in America. He has served as Chair of the D.C. and Northern Virginia Practice Groups, is an active faculty member of the Collaborative Practice Training Institute, which trains lawyers, mental health professionals and financial experts in the Collaborative Practice Process, and has served as faculty for countless programs on Collaborative Practice on the East Coast and nationally.

Admission Dates & Jurisdictions

  • Virginia, 1988
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 1979
  • District of Columbia, 1969

Education

  • Northwestern University, J.D., 1969
  • Columbia University, A.B.,1966

Honors & Awards

  • Named one of the top ten lawyers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for 2012, 2013 and 2014 by Super Lawyers.
  • Named Collaborative Lawyer of the Year for 2012 by Best Lawyers in America.
  • Recognized for the past 10 years as one of the best matrimonial lawyers in Washington, D.C.

Professional Associations

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow
    • President of the District of Columbia Chapter, 2004-2005
    • Past member of the Collaborative Law Committee
  • District of Columbia Bar
    • Family Law Section
  • Virginia State Bar
    • Legislative Committee
    • Family Law Section
  • Fairfax County Bar
    • Family Law Section
  • Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
    • Family Law Section
  • International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)
  • D.C. Academy of Collaborative Professionals (DCACP)
  • Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia (CPNV)
  • Collaborative Practice Training Institute, Faculty Member

Speaking Engagements

  • Continuing education programs in Washington, D.C. metro area
    • “Divorce Taxation” (D.C.)
    • “How to Trace and Make it Interesting” (VA)
    • “Valuations of Closely-Held Businesses” (VA)
    • “Family Law Around the Beltway” (D.C.)

Service Activities

  • D.C. Bar Advice and Referral Clinic, Mentor
  • Superior Court of the District of Columbia’s Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) program, ADR Facilitator
  • Vienna Women’s Center, Volunteer