Atty. John E. Byrnes
John E. Byrnes has been practicing exclusively in the area of family law since 1996.
Profile Summary
About John E. Byrnes at a glance
John E. Byrnes is a family law attorney based in Fairfax, Virginia, practicing at Kelly Byrnes Danker & Luu PLLC. Admitted to practice in Virginia, Virginia State Bar. Educated at George Mason University (J.D., 1995) and University of California Berkeley (BA, 1989). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Family Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms - Washington Tier 1 Family Law (2026). Serves clients in Fairfax, VA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- John E. Byrnes has been practicing exclusively in the area of family law since 1996
- He practices in all of the northern Virginia circuit courts and juvenile and domestic relations district courts as well as the Virginia Court of Appeal
- While most matters are amicably resolved thorough negotiation or mediation, John has extensive litigation experience
- During his career, John’s practice has covered virtually every aspect of family law, from: complex equitable distribution matters involving business valuations and detailed tracing issues
- forensic accounting considerations for determining a party’s income
- intricate custody concerns dealing with non-parental rights, international legal considerations, and abuse claims
- as well as unique family law issues such as litigating the validity of divorces obtained in foreign countries
- Over his career, John has identified an array of talented expert witnesses to assist his clients on various issues
- John also prepares marital settlement agreements and pre-marital agreements tailored to meet the client’s goals
- John provides his clients with candid advice - be it favorable or unfavorable - and he explains the benefits and negatives that are associated with litigation, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution alternatives
- John graduated from the George Mason University School of Law, where he was selected to be in the Dean's Scholar Program and was also chosen to be the Lead Articles Editor for the George Mason University Independent Law Review
- Since his completion of a one-year clerkship for the Honorable J. Howe Brown of the Fairfax County Circuit Court in August of 1996, John's law practice has concentrated solely on the area of family law and divorce
- John is currently on the 5th District Disciplinary Committee of the Virginia State Bar (Chairperson for 2012-13), the VSB Judicial Nominations Committee, and the Virginia State Bar Mid-Year Seminar Committee
- He has also lectured for the Virginia CLE, attended the Bar Leadership Institute, was previously recognized by Legal Services of Northern Virginia for providing pro bono legal services, and is a past Chair of the Fairfax Bar Association's Membership Committee
- Lastly, John is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the Fairfax Bar Association
Practice Areas Explained
John E. Byrnes's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John E. Byrnes handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.
John E. Byrnes is one of 167,063 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Virginia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Virginia
Practicing law in Virginia. Legal matters in Virginia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Fairfax are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Virginia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Virginia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Virginia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Virginia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Fairfax or all attorneys in Virginia.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about John E. Byrnes
Where is John E. Byrnes's law office located?
What practice areas does John E. Byrnes handle?
Where did John E. Byrnes go to law school?
How can I contact John E. Byrnes for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has John E. Byrnes received?
Practice Areas
Education
Awards
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.