Four Melone Hatley, P.C. Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, UNITED STATES, August 20, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Melone Hatley, P.C. is proud to announce that four of its attorneys have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, one of the oldest and most respected attorney recognition programs in the legal profession. Andrew Patzig, Carly Hart, and Erik McCauley were named to The Best Lawyers in America, and William Vazquez was recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, which honors attorneys earlier in their careers for exceptional professional promise.

Best Lawyers recognitions are earned entirely through peer review. Attorneys are evaluated by other lawyers practicing in the same fields and geographic regions, an approach built on the principle that the professionals best positioned to judge legal skill are the ones who see it in action across the negotiating table and the courtroom. On average, Best Lawyers recognizes only about three percent of practicing attorneys across the 76 countries where its awards are published, and lawyers cannot pay to be included.

The firm’s 2027 honorees are:

Andrew “Andy” Patzig, Esq., a Litigation Attorney in the firm’s Reston, Virginia office, brings more than a decade of experience in complex family law across Virginia and the District of Columbia. His practice concentrates on high-conflict divorce, custody and visitation disputes, and support cases. He is a trained mediator, a Certified Guardian ad Litem, and a Certified Divorce Coach, and his past honors include recognition among the Best Lawyers in Virginia.

Carly Hart, Esq., a Litigation Attorney in the firm’s Richmond, Virginia office, has represented clients for more than a decade in high-stakes custody disputes, protective order hearings, divorce proceedings, and juvenile court cases. She has served as a guardian ad litem for children in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties, and her prior honors include the Virginia State Bar’s Civil Service Award and the Fairfax Bar Association President’s Award.

Erik McCauley, Esq., Managing Litigation Attorney for the firm’s Virginia offices, leads complex cases and guides litigation strategy across a wide spectrum of family law and estate planning cases from the firm’s Virginia Beach headquarters. A long-time Hampton Roads resident, his prior recognitions include Super Lawyers and the CoVaBIZ Magazine Top Lawyers list.

William Vazquez, Esq., a Senior Associate Attorney in the firm’s Reston, Virginia office, guides clients through the legal and emotional challenges of custody, divorce, and other family law cases. A cum laude graduate of American University Washington College of Law, he built a broad litigation foundation spanning international human rights, civil litigation, and a clerkship in the D.C. Superior Court before dedicating his practice to family law.

“We’ve been very intentional about building a team of strong attorneys who care about their clients and take pride in the work they do,” said Charles Hatley, CEO of Melone Hatley, P.C. “To see four of our attorneys recognized by their peers is something we’re incredibly proud of. Andy, Carly, Erik, and William represent the standard we want across our firm.”

Melone Hatley Founder and Managing Partner Rebecca Melone also pointed to the significance of recognition from fellow attorneys.

“There is something particularly meaningful about being recognized by the attorneys you practice alongside and across from every day,” Melone said. “Andy, Carly, Erik, and William have earned strong reputations in the legal community, and this recognition is well deserved.”

The complete 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America is available at www.bestlawyers.com.

About Melone Hatley, P.C.
Melone Hatley, P.C. is a woman-owned family law and estate planning firm dedicated to serving clients through personalized legal strategies and compassionate representation. With offices across Virginia, Florida, South Carolina, and Texas, the firm offers services for legal matters including divorce, custody, support, and estate planning. For more information about the firm, visit their website at www.melonehatley.com or contact the office directly at 800-479-8124.

About Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is one of the oldest and most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession. Recognition in Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer evaluation, in which leading attorneys assess the professional abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas and regions. Best Lawyers publishes awards in 76 countries, and attorneys cannot pay to be recognized. For more information, visit www.bestlawyers.com.

Jackie Woody
Melone Hatley, PC
+1 800-479-8124
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