Pennsylvania native Nicole Grejda is emerging as a leading family lawyer in Northern Virginia, a partner now at the widely respected Fairfax firm of Curran Moher Weis, P.C. Grejda (pronounced “GRAY-duh) has already established a solid record as both a litigator and negotiator. She's known too for having strong quantitative skills, which has translated of course into a command of tax and accounting issues, all central to the practice. What's more, peers say she possesses a grounded nature and a beyond-her-years wisdom – all the product, she says, of growing up in a strong and supportive family. With three older brothers and a father who worked as an engineer at Mack Trucks, her family has been something of a fixture in Allentown, Pa., 60 miles north of Philadelphia (“Yes, the Allentown made famous by Billy Joel”). Like her siblings she attended Salisbury High School, graduating ninth in her class, and went on to Penn State. (“Two of my brothers went before me - college never felt unfamiliar.”) At first she focused on Human Development and Family Studies, thinking “I might work to be a therapist.” Growing up with three older brothers, she picked up some natural negotiation skills and started thinking about law school in college. She went straight to George Mason University Law School, in Arlington, Virginia, in no small part, she says, because it was just over a 3-hour drive to Allentown. An early career influence: GMU Family Law Professor Helen Avare, who “opened my eyes to the potential and opportunities in family law. I liked the idea of being an advocate and, at the same time, being a problem solver for people.” Almost from the start, then, Grejda pursued internships in family law practices. She interned for Judge Robin Robb when she was in private practice and a small Vienna-based family law firm. In 2013, that firm hired Grejda as an Associate Attorney. “I got a very good taste of all aspects of domestic relations law from the start.” Right off the bat she was handling her own cases in addition to assisting senior attorneys, both in court and at negotiating tables. She quickly established a reputation as a practical and results-driven lawyer. It was in 2017 when two partners, Grant Moher, a founding partner of Curran Moher Weis, and Steven Goldman recognized Grejda's skills – and were eager for her to join their fast-growing firm. In barely four years

she was named an equity-owning partner. These days, Grejda’s work spans everything from mediation and collaborative law to courtroom litigation—or at the very least, getting clients ready for it. “The truth is, the best way to avoid a drawn-out trial is to be ready for one.” Curran Moher Weis, by all accounts, has been one of the region's most successful domestic-relations firms of the last decade; its 10 lawyers each have individual styles – from hard-charging and aggressive to low-key competency, but all laser-focused on getting results. For Grejda, “I find that I tailor my approach according to the client – their circumstance, and their objectives. I listen hard, and long.“ Today, Grejda and her husband – himself a Virginia personal injury lawyer – have two small children, and live in Fairfax County. “Northern Virginia is an especially dynamic and diverse place, and that makes all of my cases that much more interesting.”