About Our Firm

Schmergel & Mersberger, PLC, was founded in 2004 by Sean P. Schmergel and Dennis M. Mersberger. Our firm’s attorneys focus their practice on two legal practice areas: family law and criminal defense, which includes defense of traffic violations. They believe in a team approach and providing direct, hands-on service to each client. Sean earned his undergraduate and law degrees from George Mason University. He handles the family law cases at the firm. He has been selected for inclusion in Virginia Super Lawyers for many years and in Super Lawyers Rising Stars before that. He served as president of the Alexandria Bar Association in 2013-2014. He frequently presents continuing legal education seminars on topics including divorce and child support modification. A father of two himself, Sean acts as a certified guardian ad litem in addition to his regular family law practice. He seeks resolutions in divorce cases that provide the best possible outcome for children impacted by the end of their parents’ relationship. Dennis earned his bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and his law degree from George Mason University School of Law. His practice is dedicated to handling adult and juvenile criminal defense cases for our firm. He defends clients in all state and federal courts in Virginia. He has been selected for inclusion in Virginia Super Lawyers and is a member of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the criminal law section of the Virginia State Bar and the Alexandria Bar Association. Long before entering law school, Dennis was drawn to criminal defense and in particular, juvenile defense, and so naturally took the opportunity to participate in a law school clinic where he chose to intern for multiple judges of the Fairfax County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court. In addition to his professional memberships, Dennis was a past Chairperson for the Alexandria Lawyer Referral Service Committee for many years and is currently serving as the Chairperson on the policy board for the Alexandria Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP).

We Offer Reliable, Experienced Service And Cost-Effective Results

Both family law matters and criminal defense cases come with enormous, even life-changing, consequences. And both can be costly to win. Our lawyers use their personal and legal connections in Alexandria to provide optimal results for these types of cases and many others:

  • Divorce, including high-asset marriage dissolutions
  • Child custody and support
  • Spousal support
  • Property division
  • DWI
  • Domestic abuse charges / civil protective orders (petitioner or respondent)
  • Drug crimes
  • Serious traffic offenses
  • Speeding tickets and other traffic infractions
  • Federal crimes
  • Expungements of your criminal record

Capture The Edge With Our Experience

With more than a dozen years as a practice, Schmergel & Mersberger, PLC, offers the experience of a large firm with the flexibility and responsiveness of a small boutique firm. Call us at our offices in Alexandria at 703-763-2645 or email us for an initial consultation. We serve clients across northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.