Steven M. Garver
Trial Attorney & Divorce Mediator
Steven M. Garver
Steven M. Garver is an accomplished trial attorney and divorce mediator. He moved to Reston, VA, in 1974 with his family and has developed a diverse legal practice, with litigation experience in personal injury, medical malpractice, civil rights actions, domestic relations, and criminal cases. He also has significant experience in corporate, business, and transactional work. Mr. Garver has tried to verdict personal injury cases, medical malpractice cases, felonies, and business litigation. He has also tried numerous domestic relations matters.
In 1979, Mr. Garver became one of the first attorney mediators handling divorce cases. He was self-taught and driven to the field by what he saw as an unnecessary expense — emotionally and financially — in the divorce process. He has more recently studied at the Harvard Mediation and Negotiation Project to expand his skills as a mediator and is now doing divorce mediation through Divorce Mediation Associates, Ltd. His diverse legal background gives him a special advantage in understanding many of the legal issues faced by families in this complex world.
He is an adjunct professor at George Mason University Law School, teaching classes, including a course in negotiation. Mr. Garver is a certified mediator by the Supreme Court.
- University of Maryland
- J.D., George Mason University
- Virginia, 1975
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 1975
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, 1976
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1979
- U.S. Tax Court, 1976
- Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1977
- Court of Appeals of Virginia
- Supreme Court of Virginia, 1975
- Maryland, D.C. and Florida, pro hac vice
- Academy of Professional Family Mediators
- Association of Attorney Mediators
- Virginia Bar Association (Boyd-Graves Conference, 1980 – Present)
- Fairfax Bar Association (Former Director)
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (Board of Governors, 1979 – Present)
- American Association for Justice (Chair of the House of Delegates, 2007-2008, Board of Governors, 2007-2008, and Executive Committee, 2007-2008)
- Member of a 2007 delegation who went to China and met with members of the bar, law students, and judges of the Courts, where by special order from a Justice of China’s Supreme Court, he had the rare opportunity to view a Chinese trial.
- Qualified as an expert witness in federal courts, Virginia state courts and Maryland state courts
- Mackall, Mackall & Walker, Clerk, 1974- 1975
- Kaletah Carroll, 1975-76
- Garver and Moller, Partner, 1978 – 1996
- Commissioner in Chancery, 1988 – present
- George Mason University, adjunct faculty, 2014 – present
- Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce
- National Capital Area Scholastic Rowing Association, Board member
- Combined Cathedral Crews Rowing Club, Board member
- National Cathedral School, Board and Officer of the Parents Association
- Langley School, Committee member
- CLE lecturer in Domestic Relations, Evidence, Appellate Practice, Tort Law, Medical Malpractice, and Ethics
Learn More About Divorce Mediation Associates, LTD
Located in Reston, VA, Divorce Mediation Associates, LTD works with couples across the United States and multiple continents. We specialize in prenuptial/postnuptial agreements, divorce mediation, marital separation and property settlement agreements, and conflict resolution. In-person and virtual mediations are available. A more human alternative to traditional divorce. Schedule your free consultation.