EH
Eleanor Hayes
Founding Partner · Mediator
Twenty years in family law. Certified mediator. Wrote the firm's flat-fee schedule herself, and updates it every year.
DC · MD · VA bar
Now welcoming new clients · Free 30-min mediation consult(202) 555-0150
Mediation first · Litigation only when it has to be
Family law with a softer voice.
A family practice that opens with mediation and only escalates when it has to. Most matters resolve in three to five sessions — with a written agreement, no courtroom, and your weekends back. Flat-fee divorces start at $2,800.
Certified mediator20+ years in family lawDC · MD · VA barNo-court guarantee on uncontested
Mediation calendar
Marsh family · Session 3 of 4
Parenting plan · school year
✓Completed · agreement signed
Holiday & summer schedule
✓Completed · agreement signed
Asset division · primary residence
In session · today
Spousal support draft
Scheduled · Apr 14
Next session
Apr 14 · 2:00 pm
The approach
A practice built around what families actually need.
We sit on the same side of the table whenever we can. Most of our matters resolve in mediation in three to five sessions, with a written agreement and no court appearance required.
When the other side will not negotiate fairly, we litigate — but only then, and only after we have told you exactly what you are in for, in writing.
87%
Court-free in 2024
4.2
Avg. sessions to resolve
$2,800
Flat-fee divorce starts at
2 yrs
Avg. attorney tenure with client
Practice areas
Where we help. And how.
Best-interest-of-child framing
Custody planning
Best-interest-of-child framing. Parenting plans drafted to survive both parents being honest about the year ahead — school schedules, holidays, second marriages, all of it.
Two-week intake including separate sessions with each parent
School-year, summer, and holiday schedules with explicit fallback rules
Decision-making framework for education, religion, and healthcare
Annual review clause built in
RecentCourt-free resolution in 87% of cases · 2024
Statute
DC Code § 16-914
Typical timeline
4 – 8 weeks
Starting fee
From $3,200
Joint parenting plan and modification rights for both parents. Annual review free for two years.
Mediation
The hard work happens at a table, not in a courtroom.
Most divorces and custody matters resolve in three to five sessions with us. Each session is two hours; the agreement is drafted between sessions.
01
Listen
A 90-minute intake where each spouse meets the mediator separately. No agenda. Just facts.
02
Negotiate
Three to five joint sessions covering parenting, finances, and property. Agreement drafted between sessions.
03
File
Final agreement signed by both parties. We file with the court — you do not appear.
The team
Lawyers people return to.
MC
Marcus Chen
Mediation Associate
Background in social work plus JD. Leads custody mediations. Conducts sessions in English and Mandarin.
DC · VA bar · MSW
PR
Priya Ramesh
Litigation Partner
Eighteen years of trial work. We bring her in when the other side will not deal — she is the reason most matters never get there.
DC · MD bar
SW
Sara Whitfield
Adoption Counsel
Twelve years working ICPC and consent windows. Coordinates all step-parent and second-parent adoptions in the practice.
DC · VA bar
Flat-fee schedule
Posted publicly. No hourly creep.
Court filing fees passed through at cost. Cap quoted before engagement, every time.
Uncontested divorce
$2,800
Both parties agree on terms. We prepare and file.
- All filings and service
- Final agreement drafted
- Mediation if any disputes arise
- No-court guarantee
Most chosen
Mediated divorce
$4,800
3 – 5 mediation sessions plus a written agreement.
- Up to 5 sessions included
- Joint parenting plan if applicable
- Property division memo
- Filed once both parties sign
Litigated
From $9,800
When the other side will not negotiate fairly.
- Full discovery management
- Court appearances included
- Strategy memo every 30 days
- Cap quoted at intake
"They got us through a divorce without making it worse. Our daughter still has both parents at every game. That is the real fee."
L. Marsh · Mediation client · 2023
Reach out
Free 30-minute consult.
A short call with one of our attorneys. We listen, walk you through what your matter likely looks like, and quote a flat fee — usually within a business day.
2120 L Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20037
Mon – Fri · 9 am – 6 pm
Saturday mediations by appointment
(202) 555-0150
hello@birchwoodlaw.example