March 9, 2023

Cassandra Chin Receives Family Law Service Award

Cassandra Chin, a partner in the Northern Virginia firm of Nichols Zauzig, has been awarded the Family Law Service Award by the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section Board of Governors.

The Family Law Service Award is given to an individual or organization “who has consistently given freely of time, talent and energies to provide valuable services in advancing family, domestic relations or juvenile law in Virginia, whether such services are rendered to the Virginia legal community or directly to the citizens of Virginia.”

After graduating from George Mason University School of Law in 2000, Chin immediately devoted herself to the family law profession, volunteering on a number of local and state bar associations and becoming the youngest lawyer ever to serve on the Board of Governors for the VSB Family Law Section. A prolific writer and a frequent speaker on family law, Chin served on the Family Law Section’s Board of Governors from 2007–2014, ultimately serving as Chair from 2012–2013.

In 2013, she was one of the youngest attorneys accepted as a fellow to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and is now a 2nd Vice President of the organization, as well as President of the Virginia Chapter. She recently formed a pilot mentoring program to match AAML fellows with Virginia family law attorneys, and she is passionate about improving the practice of family law.

While majoring in business at James Madison University, Chin contemplated a career in corporate law. But after clerking for the Hon. Richard B. Potter of the Prince William Circuit Court, Chin realized that she was drawn to the divorce and child custody cases where she saw an opportunity to help people during a difficult time while putting her financial skills to use. “I’m very practical and tell my clients my true opinion,” says Chin. “We look at things from a cost/benefit approach. It’s important they have realistic expectations.”

In his nomination, her colleague Paul F. Nichols said of her, “Aside from being a top-notch family law lawyer, who has received the usual accolades such as Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers, she is a caring and thoughtful attorney who uses her strong intellect, communication skills, and knowledge of the law to every client's advantage.”

The Family Law Service Award will be presented at the 39th Annual Family Law Seminar on April 13 at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond.