Business Details
46 Years
experience
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Fairfax, VA
Established in 1980, HALE BALL MURPHY has built a reputation for ethical and effective legal representation in Northern Virginia. Our attorneys prioritize client needs, delivering personalized service in estate planning, elder law, litigation, and special needs planning. With small practice groups enabling tailored attention, we combine resources and expertise to achieve favorable outcomes. Recognized by peers through AV ratings and Super Lawyers listings, our team includes certified elder law attorneys and professionals with advanced legal credentials. We emphasize transparency in cost structures and options, while fostering trust through decades of dedicated service to individuals and businesses navigating complex legal matters. 
Services
Litigation
Elder Law
Estates and Trusts
Special Needs Planning
Family Law
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We have 40+ years of experience in Virginia estate and trust law
- Our team includes certified elder law attorneys (CELA designation)
- We maintain AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell peers
- We offer transparent cost structures with fixed pricing options
- Our attorneys teach legal specialties to other professionals
Associations and certifications
- Martindale-Hubbell
Services
Estate Planning
Our attorneys craft comprehensive estate plans addressing wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. We specialize in protecting assets through tailored trusts including pet trusts and special needs arrangements. Clients receive guidance on minimizing estate tax liabilities while ensuring smooth wealth transfer across generations.
Elder Law
We provide specialized legal protection for aging individuals through Medicaid planning and guardianship establishment. Our certified elder law attorneys handle life care planning and protect against financial exploitation while addressing unique challenges of elderly clients.
Litigation
Our litigators handle business disputes, trust contests, and breach of contract cases through trial advocacy and alternative dispute resolution. We represent clients in state and federal courts, focusing on business litigation, fiduciary duty breaches, and complex estate conflicts.
Special Needs Planning
We create special needs trusts that preserve government benefits eligibility while providing supplemental care funds. Our planners address guardianship needs for young adults with disabilities and structure personal injury settlements to protect vulnerable individuals.
Trust Administration
Our team guides trustees through probate processes and trust administration requirements. We ensure proper asset distribution according to grantor wishes while maintaining compliance with Virginia-specific trust administration regulations.
People
John Callahan Hale
Senior Partner
With 40+ years in estate planning, Senior Partner Hale combines deep technical knowledge with compassionate client advocacy. He mentors younger attorneys while maintaining active practice in complex trust matters.
Jean Galloway Ball
Managing Partner
As a certified elder law attorney (CELA) and Super Lawyer honoree, Ball specializes in Medicaid planning and senior rights protection. She leads firm initiatives in elder care law education.
Kimberley Ann Murphy
Partner
Trust and business litigation specialist, consistently recognized in Super Lawyers listings. Murphy focuses on fiduciary disputes and complex estate litigation with a focus on business succession planning.
Loretta Morris Williams
Partner
Elder law expert with 25+ years experience. Williams serves as court-appointed guardian and advocates for seniors facing financial exploitation through protective legal structures.
Dana J. Carlson
Senior Partner
Family law specialist and Super Lawyers honoree, Carlson represents clients in complex divorce proceedings and child custody matters with particular focus on high-asset cases.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialize in?
We focus on estate planning, elder law, litigation, special needs planning, and trust administration. Our attorneys also handle family law and business disputes.
How are your legal fees structured?
We offer fixed pricing for estate planning matters where possible. Litigation and complex disputes are billed hourly, with transparent cost discussions at consultation.
Do you serve clients outside Fairfax County?
We serve Northern Virginia including Annandale, Burke, Oakton, and surrounding areas. Our attorneys also handle statewide matters requiring specialized expertise.
What makes your firm different from others?
Our combination of AV ratings, Super Lawyers recognition, and specialized certifications in elder law and trusts sets us apart from general practice firms.
How do you handle special needs trust creation?
We create tailored special needs trusts that protect government benefit eligibility while providing supplemental care funds and long-term security for disabled individuals.
