About Vicki L. Francois, Esq.

Vicki was named to the 2021 Influential Women of Law class by the Virginia Lawyers Weekly. This award honors women attorneys and judges for their “excellent work on behalf of the justice system and for their clients, their commitment to their communities and their service to the profession.” She was also named a Virginia SuperLawyer in 2026. She maintains a AV rating, which is the highest rating awarded, by Martindale-Hubbell

In November 2021, Vicki was also named a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. The American Bar Foundation limits membership to just 1% of lawyers practicing in each state. Fellows are distinguished attorneys whose public and private careers have demonstrated “outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession and to the welfare of society.”

In 2022, Vicki was designated as a Qualified Master Counselor in Divorce and Family Law Practice by The Virginia Law Foundation (2022-2024).

Vicki obtained a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. She then obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City School of Law, where she was awarded Order of the Barristers in recognition of excellence of courtroom advocacy.

As an experienced and assertive trial attorney, Vicki has successfully litigated in every level of the Virginia state courts. Her most recent victory was a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of Virginia in 2020 (Larsen v. Stack, 298 Va. 683). In 2020, she was also selected to serve as the Subcommittee Chair of the Eighth District Disciplinary Committee reviewing complaints against area attorneys for the Virginia State Bar. In 2021, she was awarded the Platinum Client Champion award by Martindale-Hubbell in recognition of her commitment to providing the best client service.

Vicki was licensed to practice law in Virginia (1998) and in the District of Columbia (1999). She is also licensed to practice law in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia (1998). She has been a certified guardian ad litem for children in Virginia since 1999.

In 2019, she completed a graduate certificate program at the University of Pennsylvania graduate School of Social Policy and Practice. She also served as a law clerk for the Honorable James F. Lane of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals during law school.

She is a charter member and co-founder of the Ted Dalton American Inn of Court which focuses on ethics, civility and excellence in the law. She is an adjunct professor in the Paralegal Studies Program at Virginia Western Community College. Vicki has served on the Board of Directors for the Legal Aid Society of the Roanoke Valley. In 2018, she received her Danger Assessment Certification from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing to assist her clients in both pursuing and defending cases involving domestic violence and intimate partner violence.

In 2021, Vicki also received Martindale-Hubbell’s Platinum Client Champion Award. This award is given to “an elite group of attorneys who have received exceptional reviews from the people who know them best, their clients.” Wiese Law Firm is proud to provide exceptional service to our clients.

As an active trial lawyer, Vicki’s practice continues to involve all facets of litigation, collaboration, and appellate work in the family law arena, as well as criminal law, administrative matters and civil litigation.

 

Awards

Reviews for Vicki

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Overall Rating
Showing 1-10 of 43 client reviews from Lawyers.com
Lawyers.com Rating Snapshot
5 stars
84%
4 stars
14%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
2%
What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
4.8
Quality of Service
4.9
Responsiveness
4.7
Value for Money
4.9
Family Law
Posted by Adrienne
December 13, 2022
Hired Attorney

Working with Vicki has been a pleasure. She's tough but kind and one of the best attorneys I've ever worked with.

Appellate Practice
Posted by Julie
June 10, 2022
Hired Attorney

We haven't gone to court yet BUT Vicki and Barbara are the Dream Team! They are so in sync! I'm thankful that we found them! They both treat us so respectfully eventhough we have a challenging case. If you want quality, look no farther!

Child Custody
Posted by anonymous
March 11, 2022
Hired Attorney

I am not even kidding when I say that hiring Vicki to represent me was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I have had several attorneys before this and, given the strangeness of my case, none of them believed in me or fought for me above the bare minimum required. Vicki took the time to actually listen to me and get to know the history of my case. Finally I have an attorney who cares! She worked so hard to get me through an almost decade long legal battle in which I was always the underdog and she won! I can not begin to describe how grateful I am for her and Barb!

 
Family Law
Posted by Linda
January 06, 2022
Hired Attorney

I have enjoyed working with this team. I’ve been emotional at times and they were able to get me back on track and help me keep it together. It’s very hard going through a divorce and you really need people to understand you. She and her team have eased my mind and assured me that they are here for me. I thank God he sent them my way. It’s truly have been a blessing for me. I don’t only recommend you use them, but have recommended several people to use her. She not only have your best interest, but she cares about you as an individual. Thanks, Linda

 
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
December 13, 2021
Hired Attorney

Vicki knows family law! She is an expert in her field and takes the right amount of time due diligence to be prepared for court. She isn’t afraid of a challenge and her organization made sure we had what was needed for a positive outcome in Court. Although we “won” the battle, the war isn’t over and I expect we will be back in Court to finish the job. I am confident Vicki will get us there. I highly recommend her.

 
Family Law
Posted by KAREN
July 16, 2021
Hired Attorney

VICKI TOOK OVER MY CASE WHEN MY LAWYER WAS PROMOTED TO J&D JUDGE, WITH JUST A FEW WEEKS UNTIL MY COURT DATE, VICKI WASTED NO TIME GETTING TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND MY CASE. SHE WAS VERY THOROUGH AND CONFIDENT IN COURT. I WAS ABLE TO GET VISITATION WITH MY GRANDCHILDEN. I WOULD DEFINATLEY RECOMMEND HER AND WILL USE HER AGAIN IF THE NEED ARISES.

 
Family Law
Posted by Al
May 25, 2021
Hired Attorney

Vicki's knowledge of the law and its nuances are nearly without peer. Her years of practice provide her with a depth of experience that is clear in the time leading up to a case, as well as during and after a case is heard in court. She has a reputation of toughness among prosecuting attorneys. While these attributes are highly important to being successful in a case, the most noteworthy part of Vicki's abilities is really her compassion and understanding, and the "hand-holding" that she and her assistant provide during the time leading up to, and after, a case is heard in court. I felt total assurance during the entire process...like Vicki truly had my back. She is almost always instantly reachable with a phone call or email. For the client who wants representation who has a deep knowledge of the law, combined with the empathy and understanding that is comforting during domestic law proceedings, I am very pleased to offer my highest possible recommendation of Vicki.

 
Family Law
Posted by Donna
May 14, 2021
Hired Attorney

Divorce is never ever easy. Vicki and Barb really took the time to explain everything. Vicky is very honest and tells you just how it is. I love them. I have the most confidence in her. Vicky really makes me feel like she has my daughter best interest at heart.

Family Law
Posted by Diane
May 13, 2021
Hired Attorney

Vicki has been my lawyer and advocate through my complicated child custody hearings for the last couple of years. Family Law is very emotional and exhausting; therefore, having a lawyer who has the soft skills to keep me positive and the legal skills to protect my rights, as well as my children's rights, is crucial. Vicki stays so up-to-date on changes in the law that I've seen her on several occasions brief other lawyers on changes to bring them up-to-speed. She is extremely fair and has always guided me to the best outcome. Her office is very responsive and always takes the time to speak to me and counsel me through difficult times, such as holidays. Child custody cases are so sensitive that it is difficult to definitively call yourself a winner, even with the best of outcomes. However, Vicki has always won me my rights as a parent and secured me, through court order, the parenting time my children and I need and deserve.

 
Family Law
Posted by anonymous
April 17, 2021
Hired Attorney

Our case was like no other and Vicki and Barb still took us on and took care of us. Evening and weekend calls and emails, being there just to listen and always having our back no matter what. You don’t find that in every attorney/paralegal. From day one we felt like we mattered and we knew Vicki would protect us and take care of us and she did. I can never thank her enough for what she has done. I would recommend her without hesitation always! Five stars all the way!

 

Services

Areas of Law

  • Family Law 1
    • Child Custody
  • Annulment
  • Domestic Violence
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution 1
    • Mediation
  • Litigation 1
    • Civil Litigation
  • Other 37
    • Divorce (both Fault and Uncontested)
    • Spousal Support Calculations
    • (Alimony) Spousal Support Modification
    • Visitation
    • Child Support Calculations
    • Custody, Visitation and Child Support Modification
    • Pre-Marital/Prenuptial Agreements
    • Separation/Postnuptial Agreements
    • Modification of Agreements
    • Spousal Support Modification
    • Spousal Support Termination
    • Spousal Support Reservation
    • Enforcing and Defending Child Support Enforcement and Obligations
    • Grandparents’ Rights and other Third Party Rights concerning Child Custody and Child Visitation
    • Parental Alienation/Parental Alienation Syndrome (both defending and pursuing)
    • Name Changes for both Adults and Children
    • Adoption
    • Protective Orders (both defending and pursuing)
    • Collaborative Law
    • Arbitration (both Binding and Non-binding)
    • Division of Property, Debts and Assets
    • LGBT+ and Transgender Law
    • Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
    • Paternity Establishment and Paternity Disestablishment
    • Relocation Law
    • Hague Convention
    • Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PKPA)
    • Abduction
    • Department of Social Service (DSS) Matters and Other Administrative Appeals
    • Criminal Law and Bond Hearings
    • Criminal Charge Expungements
    • Animal Abuse, Animal Cruelty and Dangerous Dog Laws
    • Appellate Law
    • Health Care Powers of Attorney and Financial Powers of Attorney
    • Registered Agent Services
    • Notary Public Services
    • Impact Litigation

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1998, Virginia
    1999, District of Columbia
    U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia
    Memberships
    Roanoke, Rockbridge/Buena Vista (President, 2001) and American Bar Associations
    Virginia State Bar (Circuit Rep, 1999-2003, Board of Governors, 2003—)
    District of Columbia Bar
    Virginia Womens Attorneys Association
    Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
    Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley (Member, Board of Directors, 1999-2005)
    The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
    National Order of Barristers
    Certified Guardian Ad Litem for children and adults.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Oklahoma City University School of Law
    Class of 1996
    J.D.
    Other Education
    University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
    Class of 1993
    B.S.
    Psychology
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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, Vicki L. Francois, Esq. is admitted to practice in District of Columbia and Virginia.
  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Vicki L. Francois, Esq. is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Vicki L. Francois, Esq. has a 4.9 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Client Review rated?
    Yes, Vicki L. Francois, Esq. has a 4.8 Client Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Vicki L. Francois, Esq. attended Oklahoma City University School of Law.