Founded by Elaine Jarvis, a lawyer since 1997, as well as an author, pilot, and mother of three, Jarvis Law provides creative legal solutions to businesses, consumers and families in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, New York and Washington, D.C.

 Jarvis Law specializes in plaintiff’s side law, which means we try to find remedies for people who have been wronged. We travel throughout the tri-state area to advise, litigate, and counsel our clients. Our diverse practice areas include business law and litigation, consumer protection, constitutional law, estate planning, employment law, real estate, mass torts, aviation law, and general civil litigation.

We have a team of friendly, honest people who take pride in finding how to serve you and our community with compassion and fair dealing. Please visit us at our location in Front Royal.

Jarvis Law PLLC

Our Team

Elaine Jarvis

Lawyer

Madeline Farris

Paralegal

Joshua Smeltzer

Paralegal

Tarra Smeltzer

Office Manager

Amanda Chaillan

Advisor

Featured in The

How Can we help?

Knowledge and Achievements

Background

  • Ten years’ legal experience in corporate, compliance, complex consumer
    litigation, regulatory, contracts and bankruptcy law.
  • Five years in Am Law (top 100 American law firms) located in DC, with
    business, bankruptcy and commercial litigation focus.
  • Expertise in automotive and construction fraud litigation.
  • Fifteen years’ corporate experience, gained as business owner, award-winning author and airplane owner.
  • Advanced knowledge of and experience working with UDAAP,
    Bankruptcy rules and procedures, FDCPA, RESPA, and FRCA.
  • Project management experience, ranging from bringing concepts to market
    to overseeing large-scale document productions in response to DOJ, FTC and SEC
    investigations.
  • Managed 50 contract attorneys.

Education

  • Juris doctorate from William and Mary School of Law 1997, top 17% of
    graduating class—business law focus.
  • Magna Cum Laude Graduate of University of Maryland, College Park,
    3.91 GPA. History Honors Degree with Econ Minor.

Law

  • Knowledge of real estate and mortgage markets, with Virginia Certified Title Settlement Agent (VCTSA), Virginia Title Insurance Pre-Licensing Course and Virginia Certification Title Examiner (VCTE) certifications earned in 2018.
  • National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) training, Denver, CO. 2019.
  • Speaker at Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging (SAAA) in Frederick County, Winchester, Warren County and Page County, 2019-20 (“Avoiding Fraud and Other Scams”)
  • Member of Virginia State Bar since 1997.
  • Graduate of Marshall Wythe School of Law (College of William and Mary) 1997.
  • National Trial Team Member 1996-97.
  • Four years’ experience at AMLAW 100 law firms in D.C., with focus on business litigation, bankruptcy, antitrust, and contracts.
  • Jury and bench trial experience in Virginia state courts, 1997-2003, 2018-present.

Corporate

  • E.L. Phoenix is a multifaceted professional serving as an Editor, Author, and Business Owner since 2009. In the aviation sector, they co-own a Sting S4 stationed at Winchester Regional Airport, overseeing leaseback operations. Notably, they’ve achieved significant success in book sales, with over 40,000 copies sold for titles like “Ripple: A Tale of Hope and Redemption” and “I Run: A Novel,” both earning AIA Seals of Excellence and Amazon Bestseller status.

    In addition to managing accounting matters, Phoenix is recognized for building a substantial online presence, with a website boasting 13,000 followers and a Facebook Page with 50,000 followers. They’ve been quoted in the Washington Post and have mentored, advised, edited, and taught young writers. Phoenix is a trained speaker with diverse experiences, including courtrooms, public speeches, boardrooms, and YouTube videos.

    In the realm of non-profit work, Phoenix served as President of Strays Welcome Interfaith Ministries from 2015 to 2020, and is currently a member of Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity (Winchester, VA). They also held the position of Secretary for Roof Over Their Heads of Front Royal (ROTH) from 2017 to 2020 and for Warren County Habitat for Humanity, Inc. from 2018 to 2019.

    Phoenix’s accomplishments include eradicating millions of consumer debt through chapter 7 bankruptcy, including IRS debt. They played a crucial role in rebuilding the consumer bankruptcy process at BRLS, Inc. Additionally, they are a Sport Pilot and an 11-time marathoner.

Our Location

Nearby in Front Royal

About Jarvis Law

Explore comprehensive legal solutions at Jarvis Law PLLC, founded by Elaine Jarvis, a distinguished lawyer, author, pilot, and mother of three. Serving Front Royal, Winchester, Manassas, and the Shenandoah Valley, our practice areas cater to businesses, consumers, and families with expertise in various legal domains:

  • Business Law (Formation to Dissolution): Rely on our experienced team for all aspects of business law, from the inception to dissolution of your business. We provide strategic guidance to ensure your business operates within legal parameters.

  • Commercial Law: Navigate the complexities of commercial transactions with confidence. Our team is well-versed in commercial law, offering tailored advice to protect your interests in business dealings.

  • Consumer Protection: Safeguard your rights as a consumer with our dedicated consumer protection services. We advocate for fair treatment and ensure your consumer rights are upheld.

  • Estate Planning: Plan for the future with our comprehensive estate planning services. Whether it’s wills, trusts, or other estate documents, we help you secure your legacy.

  • Mass Torts: In the realm of mass torts, trust us to provide strategic counsel. We navigate the complexities of mass tort litigation to protect your rights and interests.

  • Constitutional Law: Our expertise in constitutional law ensures that your rights are protected. Whether dealing with constitutional challenges or interpretation, we offer sound legal advice.

  • Employment Discrimination/Harassment Law: Count on us for expert guidance in employment discrimination and harassment cases. We advocate for fair treatment in the workplace and help you navigate legal complexities.

  • Real Estate: From transactions to disputes, our real estate services cover a broad spectrum. Whether buying, selling, or dealing with property issues, we have you covered.

  • Aviation Law: With a deep understanding of aviation law, we provide legal counsel to pilots, aviation businesses, and related entities. Trust us to navigate the intricacies of aviation regulations and disputes.

  • General Civil Litigation: In matters of general civil litigation, our team is well-equipped to represent your interests. We handle diverse civil cases with diligence and expertise.

Jarvis Law PLLC proudly offers pro bono services and welcomes referrals from Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc., underscoring our commitment to providing accessible legal support. Committed to honest dealings, we deliver diligent and cost-effective counsel, believing that law should be just and compassionate. Visit us at 128 N Royal Ave, Front Royal, VA 22630, or contact us online to explore how we can assist you.

Amanda Chaillan

Senior Adviser, Business

Amanda Chaillan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in English from Chapman University in 2008. Her collegiate study focused on intercultural and global relations, including a research semester at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic and a semester of study at Georgetown University, Washington, DC. She also completed an Executive Certificate in Strategic Management from the Harvard Extension School in 2017.

Amanda’s career has always been at the intersection of nonprofits, business and government. Focused on delivering positive impact, she has helped build organizations, develop business strategies and craft messaging that advances the work of visionaries and leaders that are shaping the world. She played a critical role in marketing and practice integration for the energy sector group of a global law firm, led engagement with legal counsel and the Board of Directors to establish and facilitate strategic planning for the launch of a water-focused nonprofit, and has led program teams addressing a range of corporate social responsibilities (CSR) issues.  

Amanda brings her business acumen and operational expertise to every engagement, drawing on her particular strengths in stakeholder engagement, program development and storytelling. She is committed to continuing to build a career of service and working to make a positive impact on the world.

Tarra Smeltzer

Office Manager

Tarra Smeltzer has constructed a career that builds on her passion for personal wellness and strong business ethics. She brings a big heart and incredible attention to detail to every role she takes on. Whether it’s supporting customers or working with colleagues, she is a doer and fixer, helping manage cases, fostering a collaborative culture and trouble-shooting operational and legal issues.

With more than 30 years of customer service experience, Tarra manages the trial and team schedules and coordinates office operations to deliver the best outcomes for Jarvis clients. She also brings research skills and issue experience in the areas of real estate, consumer and family law.

Tarra is a vital member of the Jarvis team, and a caring champion of clients. In her free time she enjoys hiking in the Shenandoah Valley, reading and spending time with her loving family.

Madeline Farris

Paralegal

A student at the College of William & Mary, Madeline Farris is a Classics Major who plans to follow in the footsteps of Mrs. Jarvis as a lawyer and an author. Ever since the age of 12, Madeline has been writing: with six complete novels, Madeline is determined to publish her work, but she loves her work at Jarvis Law, where she is able to crack fascinating cases and help good people. Madeline figures in a leadership position in her campus’s Unitarian Universalist ministry, and also works at the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalist Church as the Childcare Coordinator.

Madeline has experience in the nonprofit and legal aid sectors: she worked with Mrs. Jarvis as Mrs. Jarvis’s intern while Mrs. Jarvis was still a staff attorney at Blue Ridge Legal Services, and also worked with Valley Assistance Network from 2019-2020 as an intern, where she was able to help connect struggling people with necessary resources.

Madeline is also the stepdaughter of a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), so she is studying to obtain her light sport pilots license, for as Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”

Madeline’s favorite areas of law are family, consumer protection, and business law. She enjoys finding odd solutions to difficult problems, and assisting wonderful souls in a world that is sometimes unforgiving and cruel. Madeline’s hobbies include playing the clarinet, taking long walks in nature, and talking to her vivacious pet goldfish, Bertie.

Joshua Smeltzer

Paralegal

Joshua Smeltzer obtained a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy from James Madison University in 2022, following his service with the U.S. Army. He is a compassionate and committed public servant building a career that draws on his strong communication, research and management skills.

Josh seeks out opportunities that require critical thinking and creative solutions to address the complex challenges faced by clients. As a lead researcher, he dives deep into an issue to inform the legal strategy of the Jarvis team. He has led research on legal issues including consumer law, real estate, family law and estate planning.

Josh is a dedicated family man and proud member of the Shenandoah Valley community. In his free time, Josh enjoys physical activities and indulging in a new book.

Elaine Jarvis

Elaine Jarvis obtained her law degree from the Marshall Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in 1997. She practiced law in D.C. and Northern Virginia for several years, obtaining experience in litigation, antitrust, mergers & acquisitions, bankruptcy and contract law. She put the practice of law on hold for a bit to raise three children and run multiple businesses, with a focus on publishing and helping non-profits. Over the course of a decade, Elaine wrote ten novels and built a social media following of more than 50,000 people with her page and blog, Running from Hell with El. Her first two novels, Ripple: a Tale of Hope and Redemption and I Run: a Novel won awards and hit Amazon bestseller’s list at #1 and #2.

In 2015, Elaine moved from Fairfax County to the mountains of Front Royal and found her love for the practice of law rekindled. She joined Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (BRLS) in Winchester, where she helped low-income clients in Frederick County, Clarke County, Front Royal, Shenandoah and Page County–and all parts in between. These clients faced legal issues in consumer law, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant, and estate planning. At BRLS, Elaine counted success as roofs kept over heads and clients saved from overwhelming threats to their survival. Leaving BRLS and her office mates was hard, but being able to help folks in Northern Virginia, Manassas, Winchester, the Valley and of course Front Royal while also focusing on complex fact patterns, small businesses, and aggrieved consumers makes for a journey into an exciting future. Elaine’s outside interests include writing, flying airplanes, hiking, adventuring, gardening and piloting things that go fast and land gently. She enjoys running and traveling from mountain to ocean and just about anywhere in between—as long as she can escape the city. She welcomes people from all faith traditions, ethnic backgrounds, genders, and personal belief systems to her practice.