Contempt & Rule to Show Cause in Family Law Cases:
To Reprimand or Remediate?
Please join the Arlington County Bar Association to learn from advanced family law practitioners the ins and outs of Contempt and Rules to Show Cause in Family Law Cases.
- 1. What kind of Contempt?
- 2. Procedures for filing/hearings
- 3. Drafting your agreement
- 4. Relief available
- 5. Defenses
- 6. Aftermath
Approved for Two (2) Hour General CLE credit by VSB
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
3pm – Arlington County Courthouse
Room: TBD
Meet the Speakers:
CAROLYN ABBATE, Grenadier, Duffett, Levi, Winkler & Rubin, PC/Reston/Alexandria Ms. Abbate practices exclusively in the area of family law and divorce matters in Northern Virginia and has been with the firm since 2010. A native of Arlington, Virginia, Ms. Abbate graduated from George Mason University School of Law, cum laude, in 2009. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Abbate clerked for the Judges of Virginia’s 17th Judicial Circuit (Arlington County) from 2009– 2010. Ms. Abbate is a member of the Virginia State Bar, the Arlington Bar Association, the Fairfax Bar Association and the Alexandria Bar Association, and is currently served on the Arlington County Bar Association board as a Director. Ms. Abbate has been recognized as a top attorney by Arlington Magazine in 2019 through 2024 and was named to Best Lawyers in 2024 and 2025.
Sean P. Schmergel, Schmergel & Mersberger, PLC/Arlington Mr. Schmergel has been practicing family law for over 21 years as a co-founding member of Schmergel & Mersberger, PLC, recognized as a “Best Law Firm” in family law. He is “AV Rated” by Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected a “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business, a “Super Lawyer” and a U.S. News “Best Lawyer” for family law in Virginia. He has also been named a top attorney in divorce and family law by Washingtonian and Arlington Magazine. Mr. Schmergel is admitted in Virginia and the District of Columbia and is a certified guardian ad litem for children in Virginia. He is Secretary of the Arlington County Bar Association and Co-Chair of the Judicial Screening Committee for the Alexandria Bar Association. He also serves as Chair of District 4-II Disciplinary Committee for the Virginia State Bar.
