Barry J. Waldman Admitted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Waldman & Associates, PLLC is pleased to announce that founding attorney Barry J. Waldman has been admitted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). AAML Fellowship is one of the most respected credentials a family law attorney can earn, and it is open only to lawyers who meet strict standards of experience, knowledge, and professional conduct.
What Is the AAML?
Founded in 1962, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is a national organization of attorneys who focus on divorce, custody, and other family law matters. The Academy works to encourage the study, improve the practice, and elevate the standards of family law. Its members, called Fellows, are recognized by judges and attorneys as leaders in the field. There are only about 2,500 Fellows nationwide, and only about 50 of them are in Virginia. Barry joins that small group as a member of the AAML's Virginia Chapter.
A Demanding Admission Process
Attorneys cannot simply sign up for the AAML. Every applicant goes through a thorough review. Among the Academy’s requirements, an applicant must:
- Have been admitted to practice law for at least seven years
- Devote at least 75% of their practice to matrimonial and family law for the five years before applying
- Complete at least 12 hours of family law continuing legal education in each of those five years
- Have substantial trial experience as lead counsel in matters such as custody, child support, property division, and spousal support, and be willing and able to settle cases when appropriate
- Show meaningful involvement in the family law community, such as bar leadership, teaching, or writing
- Complete the Academy’s examination process and provide references from judges and attorneys who are not Fellows
Applicants must also be recognized by the bench and bar for practicing with honesty, integrity, and professionalism, and must be in good standing with their state bar.
What This Means for Our Clients
When you are going through a divorce or custody case, you want an attorney who knows family law thoroughly and has the courtroom experience to back it up. AAML Fellowship confirms that Barry meets those standards. It reflects more than 25 years of practice, a career built on family law, and the respect he has earned from Virginia’s judges and attorneys.
Fellowship also connects Barry with a national network of experienced family law attorneys and gives him access to advanced training and resources. That can be especially valuable in cases involving significant assets, military or federal employee benefits, or custody disputes that cross state lines.
Barry’s AAML admission adds to his ongoing service to the profession, including his role as Vice Chair of the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section’s Board of Governors for 2026–2027. He founded Waldman & Associates in 2005, and our firm has focused exclusively on family law ever since.
Put an AAML Fellow on Your Side
We congratulate Barry on this significant achievement. If you need guidance with a divorce, custody, support, or other family law matter in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, or the surrounding areas, we are ready to help.
Call (540) 554-6459 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.