Christopher Malinowski

Partner

Christopher Malinowski has spent his entire legal career representing clients in difficult family law matters, and has been recognized by his peers as a top divorce and family law attorney for his advocacy, legal ability, and ethical standards. Chris has successfully litigated numerous complex divorce, equitable distribution, child custody, spousal and child support cases, and he has prepared countless marital and prenuptial agreements as well as government, military and private sector pension orders.

Achievements & Accolades

Chris is a certified Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). In the United States, AAML Fellows are recognizable in their field as preeminent family law attorneys who possess great integrity, knowledge, and skill. Additionally, Academy Fellows have earned a reputation for their competence and professionalism, and Chris fits that description.

Chris has achieved the highest rating of "AV-Preeminent" from Martindale-HubbellⓇ through a peer selection process. His peers have also selected Chris for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America," as a "Super Lawyer" in Virginia Super Lawyers, in the “Top Lawyers” edition of the Washingtonian Magazine, and in the "Top Divorce Lawyers" edition of Northern Virginia Magazine. Chris has served as an elected member of the Board of Governors of the Virginia State Bar Association’s Family Law Section, and he has served as a faculty member for Virginia Continuing Legal Education (CLE).

Beyond the Law Office

Chris has co-authored the "Negotiating and Drafting Marital Agreements Handbook" for Virginia CLE, and has lectured on this and other subjects such as child custody, expert witnesses, interstate support and custody matters, and third-party and grandparent custody and visitation at various CLE seminars throughout Virginia.

Before pursuing his legal career, Chris developed his cool-under-pressure demeanor during his time working for the Michigan Department of Corrections in one of the nation's largest maximum security prisons. Chris received his B.A. from Michigan State University and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he was an assistant editor of the law review and graduated cum laude.

Areas of Practice

Bar Admissions

Virginia

Education

Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan, J.D., cum laude
Michigan State University, B.A.

Honors and Awards

Included in "The Best Lawyers in America"
"Top Divorce Lawyers" - Northern Virginia Magazine
"Super Lawyer" - Virginia Super Lawyers
"AV-Preeminent" - Martindale-Hubbell
Washingtonian Magazine as a "Top Lawyer" in the areas of Divorce and Family Law for 2018
U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers (since 2015)

Professional Associations and Memberships

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Certified Fellow
Virginia State Bar, Member of the Board of Governors of the Family Law Section 2013-2017
Fairfax Bar Association - Family Law Section, Member
Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Member