CHRISTOPHER M. LOCEY

Principal

Chris Locey practices in the District of Columbia and Virginia. Combining an analytic and sensitive approach to client issues, as a litigator and negotiator, Mr. Locey’s practice includes experience in the interface between foreign law, especially Shari’a and Islamic law, and the courts and laws of the local jurisdictions, as well as custody cases involving sexually abused and neglected children.
Prior to becoming a principal of Smollar Kuntz Locey, PLLC, Mr. Locey spent three years as a judicial law clerk in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia: first to the Honorable Susan R. Holmes Winfield, and then for the Honorable Jerry S. Byrd.
At the conclusion of his clerkships, Mr. Locey entered private practice with Kuder, Smollar, Friedman & Mihalik, PC, before forming Smollar Kuntz Locey, PLLC, where he now works on cases in the District of Columbia and Virginia involving divorce, annulment, alimony, child custody, child support, probate, and all other issues related to family law, as well as other civil litigation.  Mr. Locey has experience with cases that have been complicated by domestic violence, parental kidnapping, and foreign parties and jurisdictions, including those governed under Shari’a law.  He represents clients in litigation, and also in mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.   He not only represents his clients in such negotiations, but also is experienced as a mediator.
In addition to his practice, Mr. Locey regularly provides pro bono services for the District of Columbia Bar’s Advocacy & Justice Clinic.  Mr. Locey also served two 3-year terms on the D.C. Bar Family Law Section’s Steering Committee and was a former co-chair.