Trial-tested strategy
A plan built for your situation, immediately, as if we are heading to trial.
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Williamsburg · Newport News · Hampton Roads
The fight to defend Your Rights & protect your family Starts Here.
Led by a former Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney and a family-law trial lawyer with two decades in Hampton Roads courtrooms. Straight answers in plain language. Direct access to your attorney. Trial-ready when negotiation isn't enough.
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100 — Criminal Defense
- Nearly 40 years in Virginia criminal courts
- Former Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney
- Argued before the Virginia Court of Appeals
60+
Combined years practicing law in Virginia
15
Years as Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney, supervising 15 prosecutors
3
Capital murder cases prosecuted before moving to the defense side
Top 100
National Trial Lawyers, Criminal Defense — Attorney John Haugh
Start where you are
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Two practices.One Standard of Fight.
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Criminal
Family
Criminal
Defense
The prosecution is already building its case. We start building yours the day you call — with insider knowledge of how Virginia prosecutors think, because we were one.
Explore criminal defense 02Family
Law
Representation to protect your most valuable asset — your family. We listen first, then build a practical, personalized strategy, from negotiated settlements to high-conflict trials.
Explore family lawWhere we appear
Commonwealth of Virginia
From WilliamsburgTo the Commonwealth
We represent clients in Williamsburg and Newport News, across Hampton Roads and York County, throughout Coastal Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia — in state, federal and appellate courts.
- Williamsburg
- Newport News
- James City County
- York County
- Hampton
- Poquoson
- Gloucester
- Norfolk & Virginia Beach
The office
161A John Jefferson Rd, Suite 201Williamsburg, VA 23185
By appointment only · free parking on site
We don't justReact to Charges
Prosecutorial insight
A former Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney on your side of the table.
[ 02 ]One-on-one representation
Direct contact with your attorney from day one. Updates without chasing us.
[ 03 ]Realistic guidance
Unwavering honesty, including the difficult truths. No outcome oversold.
[ 04 ]
Also
- Local court experience across Hampton Roads, plus federal and appellate courts
- Confidential case review — we listen without judgment and assess immediately
When the stakes are high, we step in for the difficult fight. Advocacy. Guidance. Results.
The attorneys
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Two founding partners.Both on Your Side.
The firm
When the stakes are high, we step in for the difficult fight.
Haugh & Lemm brings a unique blend of courtroom tenacity and compassionate, realistic guidance. Every case gets personalized attention and a strategy built for it — bold representation, unwavering honesty, and fierce advocacy that never loses sight of the human experience behind the file.
- Criminal defense
- John F. Haugh
- Family law
- Shannon Lemm
- Office
- Williamsburg, Virginia
- Serving
- The Commonwealth
Founding Partner /// Criminal Defense
John F. Haugh
Nearly forty years in Virginia criminal law — most of them as a prosecutor. John spent fifteen years as Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney in Hampton, supervising a team of fifteen attorneys and trying three capital murder cases, before finishing his prosecutorial career with the Virginia Attorney General's Office handling violent crime, gang and gun offenses in Norfolk. He now uses that experience exclusively for the defense.
- Law school
- William & Mary — Marshall-Wythe School of Law, J.D. 1986
- Undergraduate
- Virginia Commonwealth University, B.S. magna cum laude, 1982
- Bar admissions
- Virginia (1986) · Pennsylvania (1991)
- Recognition
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100 — Criminal Defense
- 1988Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney's Office — DUI, violent crime, murder, rape, robbery and drug prosecutions
- 1991York County District Attorney's Office, Pennsylvania — led the team prosecuting child abuse cases
- 1995Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney, Hampton — fifteen years supervising fifteen attorneys; three capital murder prosecutions
- 2012Interim Commonwealth's Attorney, City of Hampton
- 2013Chief Deputy, Louisa County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office
- 2015Virginia Attorney General's Office — violent crime, gang and gun prosecutions in Norfolk
- FacultyHampton Roads Regional Police Academy · Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association
- MemberVirginia State Bar · Newport News Bar Association · NACDL
Founding Partner /// Family Law
Shannon Lemm
Over twenty years in Virginia family law, and a client's-eye view of it. Born and raised in Hampton Roads, Shannon earned a B.F.A. in Theatre and moved to Los Angeles to act. A divorce and custody battle of her own brought her home — she went to law school while raising two daughters, then spent a decade at Hofheimer Family Law handling complex equitable distribution and high-conflict custody litigation. Tenacious, competitive, and she puts her clients' interests above all.
- Law school
- Regent University School of Law, J.D. 2005
- Undergraduate
- Virginia Commonwealth University, B.F.A. Theatre, 1991
- Bar admission
- Virginia (2005)
- Focus
- High-conflict custody · High-asset equitable distribution
- AppealsBriefed and argued before the Court of Appeals of Virginia in Godwin v. Godwin, Wilson v. Epley, Brooker v. Brooker and Fry v. Sosnowski
- 2005Began practice at Joe Hood & Associates, Virginia Beach
- 10 yrsHofheimer Family Law — complex equitable distribution and high-conflict custody litigation
- PracticeDivorce · custody · visitation · separation · property division · child support · spousal support
Supported by /// an office manager, paralegals and legal assistants — so your calls get answered and your case keeps moving.
Exercise your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer. Write down everything you remember while it's fresh — times, names, what was said, who was present. Then call an attorney as soon as possible.
Bring your summons or warrants, court notices, any protective orders, prior records, names of witnesses, photos or videos, and the questions you want answered.
You are — and that's exactly why we don't wait. We build every case as if it's heading to trial from day one: challenging the stop, the search, the warrant, the lab work and the witness account before anyone talks about a plea.
Attorney John Haugh spent nearly four decades on the other side of that table. Knowing how the Commonwealth builds a file is how we take one apart.
Virginia courts decide custody on the best interests of the child, weighing each parent's role, the child's needs, and any history of abuse or instability. What you do in the first weeks shapes the record the judge eventually reads.
Attorney Shannon Lemm has spent over twenty years on exactly these cases — including high-conflict custody litigation and appeals from JDR court — and has been through a custody battle of her own.
An order that isn't enforced isn't protection. We handle enforcement of existing custody and visitation orders, emergency custody situations, temporary and permanent modifications, and parental relocation disputes.
Start a written record now: dates, missed exchanges, messages. That documentation is the difference between a frustrating hearing and a decisive one.
You get direct contact with your attorney and our team from day one — not a rotating cast of associates you've never met. John Haugh leads criminal defense matters; Shannon Lemm leads family law matters. You may have one or both on your case.
We give regular updates without you having to chase them, and we tell you the difficult truths as well as the good news.
Virginia charges that sound minor often aren't. A first-offense DUI can mean jail, license suspension and years of higher insurance. Reckless driving is a criminal charge, not a ticket. A drug conviction can reach your job, your housing and your custody rights.
A confidential case review costs you nothing but the call. We'll listen without judgment and tell you honestly where you stand. Request one here.
Criminal defense
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Aggressive,Personalized Defense
Insider knowledge of Virginia court systems, from the district courts of Hampton Roads to the Court of Appeals. The prosecution is already building its case; let's start building your defense now.
01
DUI & Serious Traffic Offenses
A DUI conviction in Virginia can mean jail time, license suspension and skyrocketing insurance rates — even for a first offense.
- First-time and repeat DUI
- Refusal of breath or blood testing
- Reckless driving & speeding over 85 mph
- Driving on a suspended or revoked license
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Leaving the scene, evading and eluding
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Serious Drug Charges
Virginia enforces some of the harshest drug laws in the country. But harsh doesn't mean unbeatable.
- Possession, Schedule I–VI
- Possession with intent to distribute (PWID)
- Manufacturing and trafficking
- Prescription fraud
- Marijuana, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl charges
We examine the stop, the search and the warrant — and every violation that can suppress evidence.
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Violent Crimes
Being charged with a violent crime in Virginia is one of the most serious legal situations you can face — one year to life, plus a permanent felony record.
- Assault and battery
- Domestic violence
- Malicious and aggravated malicious wounding
- Robbery and burglary
- Firearm and weapons offenses
- Manslaughter and homicide
Also defending /// Theft · Larceny · Shoplifting · Fraud · Credit-card theft · Forgery & uttering · Probation violations
Family law
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Protecting yourMost Valuable Asset
Family law cases carry deep emotional weight. We listen first, then build a practical, personalized legal strategy — and we keep you informed at every step.
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Divorce
Whether your separation is amicable or high-conflict, the outcome can affect your finances, your children and your wellbeing for years.
- Contested & uncontested divorce
- Military divorce — benefits, jurisdiction, relocation
- High-asset divorce
- Divorce involving children
- Spousal and child support
- Protective orders where necessary
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Custody & Visitation
Virginia courts decide custody on the best interests of the child. We make sure the court sees the full picture of your role in your child's life.
- Legal & physical custody
- Visitation schedules and parenting time disputes
- Temporary and permanent modifications
- Emergency custody
- Enforcement of existing orders
- Appeals from JDR court & parental relocation
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Property Division
Virginia is an equitable-distribution state — which does not automatically mean fifty-fifty. Classification is where cases are won.
- Marital, separate and hybrid property
- Retirement accounts and pensions
- Business interests and investment portfolios
- Rental and vacation property
- Debt allocation
- Discovery of hidden or undisclosed assets
Who We Defend
The Accused
Arrested or charged in Virginia
[ Wants ]
- To understand what is actually at stake, in plain language
- The charge reduced or dismissed wherever that is possible
- To keep a job, a licence, a security clearance, a family
[ Afraid of ]
- Jail, and a permanent record that follows them for life
- Saying the wrong thing before anyone is on their side
- A lawyer who takes the fee and pushes the first plea offered
[ What we do ]
- Build the case for trial from day one, then negotiate from strength
- Challenge the stop, the search, the warrant and the lab work
The Spouse
Facing separation or divorce
[ Wants ]
- A fair division of a marital estate they may not fully see
- Financial stability on the other side of the process
- To get through it without their children paying for it
[ Afraid of ]
- Hidden accounts, undisclosed assets, a business they cannot value
- Being out-spent and out-lawyered into a bad settlement
- Years of litigation and no end date
[ What we do ]
- Classify marital, separate and hybrid property before anything is agreed
- Settle where settlement serves you, litigate where it does not
The Parent
In a custody or visitation dispute
[ Wants ]
- Real time with their children, not a schedule on paper
- An order the other parent actually follows
- To be seen accurately by the court
[ Afraid of ]
- Losing custody over something they did not know mattered
- An ex who violates the order with no consequence
- Relocation that puts distance between them and their child
[ What we do ]
- Build the best-interests record the judge will actually read
- Enforce, modify and appeal from JDR court when needed
How we work
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How weWork
01
You call
Reach us at (757) 272-0003 or send the form. We respond quickly and tell you what to do in the meantime — including what not to say to anyone else.
02
Confidential review
We listen without judgment, review your documents, and give you an honest read on where you stand and what the realistic outcomes are.
03
Strategy, built for trial
We build the case as if it's going in front of a judge — evidence challenged, witnesses identified, motions prepared — whether or not it ever gets there.
04
Resolve or try it
We negotiate hard from a position of readiness. When negotiation isn't enough, we try the case. You hear from us at every step either way.
Start with step one
Your call is confidential
In their words
Client reviews
What clients sayWhen It's Over
All I can say is she's the best. She knows everything about divorce and custody cases.
Shannon was well prepared every time and knew exactly how to maneuver the courts… I will never use another lawyer.
It's critical your lawyer believes you and believes in you… Shannon is compassionate, caring, great at strategic planning, and extremely knowledgeable.
Attorney Lemm is like a Venus Fly trap. Pretty flower — but if you land in her trap she will chew you up and spit you out. I would recommend her every time to anyone in the Hampton Roads area.
They went above and beyond for us — after a six-year custody battle, we finally had someone who actually fought.
Your story belongs here next. Tell us what happened — we'll tell you honestly what can be done about it.
Testimonials reflect the experience of individual clients and are not a guarantee, warranty or prediction of the outcome of any other case. Every case turns on its own facts.
Every minute counts
The prosecution is already building its case.Let's Start Building Your Defense.
We represent clients in Williamsburg and Newport News, as well as across Hampton Roads, York County, Coastal Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
John Haugh leads the team for criminal defense cases; Shannon Lemm leads the team for family law cases. You may have one or both attorneys on your case, with a strategy created specifically for it. Your case is handled by a team, and you always have direct access to your attorney.
Yes — we are trial-ready when negotiation is not enough. Our team includes a former Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney and brings extensive courtroom experience in Hampton Roads, Newport News, Williamsburg, York County and throughout the Commonwealth.
Exercise your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer. Write down what happened, and contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Every case is different, so it's important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Generally speaking, misdemeanors may move in weeks to a few months. Felonies usually take longer because of grand jury, discovery and motions.
Criminal matters: your summons or warrants, court notices, any protective orders, prior records, names of witnesses, photos or videos, and the questions you want answered.
Family matters: any documents that support your case — images, videos, messages, restraining orders, prior records, witnesses, and anything else that may be helpful.
Yes. We handle military divorces and the unique issues they present, including parenting schedules, benefits and jurisdictional considerations.
We listen first, then build a practical, personalized strategy. Our team has decades of experience running everything from negotiated settlements to high-conflict trials, and we keep you informed at every step.
Call us at (757) 272-0003 or submit the consultation form below. We respond quickly and will guide you on the next steps. Our office is open by appointment.
Contact
Confidential
Let's start buildingYour Case Today
Call (757) 272-0003 or complete the form. We respond quickly.
- Practice
- Criminal Defense & Family Law
Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia - Before you send
- Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not share confidential information until representation has been formally established.