Attorney Michael (Mike) Darmante concentrates his practice exclusively in the area of Virginia family law as he has for the entirety of his career. He is proud to be part of one of the first multi-attorney law firms in Southwest Virginia to focus solely on legal issues facing families and children. Prior to working at Johnstone Law Firm, Mike was an associate attorney with Parks Zeigler, and, prior to that, at OPN Law. Mike has worked closely with Kristen Johnstone, founding member of Johnstone Law, throughout his legal career.
The great majority of Mike’s practice involves divorce and custody matters, and he shares his clients’ commitment to protecting their children throughout the legal process. Mike is deeply attuned to the needs of children involved in family law disputes. He obtained his certification as a Guardian ad Litem for children early on in his legal career, and he has vigorously represented the interests of over one hundred children in both contested custody and child dependency proceedings.
Mike believes that families going through a crisis or transition deserve legal representation dedicated to their unique needs. He understands that divorce, custody issues, and related matters are usually both unfamiliar and stressful for his clients, and he makes a point of being available and responsive to their needs. Mike strives to make the legal process understandable and to help people navigate it with confidence. Clients appreciate his combination of genuine empathy and straightforward advice, and Mike derives great satisfaction from knowing that he has helped a client achieve their goals and move forward with hope for the future.
A native of New York, Mike spent much of his early years in Florida and Minnesota. He graduated from Saint Cloud State University in Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History. He headed back east to pursue his dream of a career in law, settling in Virginia. At Washington and Lee University School of Law, Mike served as President of the Legal Honor Society and Editor-in-Chief of the Law News, which won two ABA awards during his time working on the publication.
When not working, Mike enjoys cooking, especially dishes that reflect his Italian heritage, and spending time with his family.
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