Overview
Christian Lapham is a shareholder of Bean, Kinney & Korman and has been practicing law since 2002. He has a diverse background representing clients in domestic relations and civil litigation matters.
As a divorce lawyer, Christian has successfully litigated complex child custody matters, including cases involving relocation, mental illness, substance abuse, and parental alienation. He has also handled numerous complex equitable distribution and spousal support matters, including matters involving federal employees and military service members, valuation issues pertaining to businesses, and sophisticated asset-tracing issues. A former small business owner himself, Christian appreciates the challenges and nuances of a separation and divorce where one party owns a business.
Christian’s approach to family law incorporates three fundamental aspects: education, counseling, and advocacy. As the son of an Arlington elementary school teacher, he believes you cannot make an informed decision unless you are educated on how to understand the legal issues and implications of this decision.
Christian is a former founder and lecturer at Second Saturday, a workshop designed to educate potential clients on the separation and divorce process and is the author of a divorce toolkit, offering open source insights into this process even prior to the initial consult. He takes a measured approach to his legal counsel of clients, understanding that decisions made during the separation and divorce process are complex and may have lasting implications for the greater family dynamic.
Finally, Christian is a zealous advocate for his clients both inside and outside the courtroom and has been negotiating and litigating family law matters in all Northern Virginia jurisdictions for two decades. While education and counseling are important, Christian understands that in certain situations, zealous advocacy inside of a courtroom is the only way to handle a difficult adversary, particularly in situations involving mental illness or a personality disorder.
In his spare time, Christian is busy chasing his two boys around the streets of Arlington and the ski slopes of Snowshoe, West Virginia.
Christian is also a member of the firm’s management committee.
Education
George Mason University School of Law, J.D., 2001
- Managing Justice, Moot Court Board
- Federal Circuit Bar Journal
University of Virginia, B.A., 1997
Experience
- Represented a client to prevent the relocation of the client’s youngest daughter to another state in a hotly contested custody and relocation case in Fairfax Circuit Court. The daughter was not relocated.
- Represented a client in the settlement of complex equitable distribution/asset tracing issues involving a large sum of separate assets maintained in trust, thereby saving the client tens of thousands of dollars in litigation expenses.
Bar and Court Admissions
Virginia, 2002
Education
George Mason University School of Law, J.D., 2001
- Managing Justice, Moot Court Board
- Federal Circuit Bar Journal
University of Virginia, B.A., 1997
Awards and Honors
Washingtonian, Top Divorce and Family Law Lawyer, 2021 – 2023
Virginia Business, Legal Elite in Family Law/Domestic Relations, 2019-2023
Arlington Magazine, Top Attorney – Family Law, 2019, 2021-2024
Virginia Super Lawyers in Family Law, 2014 – 2024
Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers in Family Law, 2015 – 2024
Best Lawyers in America in Family Law, 2014 – 2025
Northern Virginia magazine, Top Lawyer, 2013
AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell
Affiliations
Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia
Fairfax Bar Association (Family Law Section)
Virginia State Bar (Family Law Section)
Virginia Bar Association (Family Law Section)
Virginia Commerce Bank (Alexandria Advisory Board)
Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (Family Law Section)
Second Saturday – Fairfax (Founder & Lecturer)
SCAN of Northern Virginia (Board of Directors)
Habitat for Humanity (Participant, Global Village Program in Portugal)
Videos
Events
- Done with Divorce Workshop
Online, Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - Second Saturday Divorce Webinar
Online, Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - Second Saturday – Arlington/Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Navy League Building, 1st Floor, Arlington, Virginia, Saturday, October 10, 2015 - Second Saturday – Arlington/Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Navy League Building, 1st Floor, Arlington, Virginia, Saturday, March 14, 2015 - Second Saturday – Arlington: Free Seminar on Divorce
Navy League Building, 1st Floor, Arlington, Virginia, Saturday, January 10, 2015 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, September 13, 2014 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, August 9, 2014 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, July 12, 2014 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, June 14, 2014 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, May 10, 2014 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, April 12, 2014 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, March 8, 2014 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, February 8, 2014 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Sunday, January 12, 2014 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, December 14, 2013 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, November 9, 2013 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, October 12, 2013 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, September 14, 2013 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, April 13, 2013 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, March 9, 2013 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, January 12, 2013 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, October 13, 2012 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, September 8, 2012 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, August 11, 2012 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, July 14, 2012 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, June 9, 2012 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, May 12, 2012 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, April 14, 2012 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, February 11, 2012 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Thursday, February 9, 2012 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, January 14, 2012 - Second Saturday – Fairfax: Free Seminar on Divorce
Fair Oaks Courtyard Marriott in Fairfax, Virginia, Saturday, November 12, 2011
News
- Twenty-one Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Recognized as Top Attorneys for 2024 by Arlington Magazine
Friday October 25, 2024 - Eighteen Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2025 Best Lawyers in America and Five Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Thursday August 15, 2024 - Leadership Transition at Bean, Kinney & Korman
Monday January 1, 2024 - Four Bean, Kinney & Korman Attorneys Named in the Washingtonian’s 2023 Top Divorce Lawyers List
Monday December 4, 2023 - Twenty-two Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Recognized as Top Attorneys for 2023 by Arlington Magazine
Tuesday October 17, 2023 - Eighteen Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2024 Best Lawyers in America and Six Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Thursday August 17, 2023 - 2023 Super Lawyers
Friday April 28, 2023 - Six Bean, Kinney & Korman Attorneys Named in the Washingtonian’s 2022 Top Lawyers List
Monday November 28, 2022 - Twenty-one Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Recognized as Top Attorneys for 2022 by Arlington Magazine
Thursday October 13, 2022 - Sixteen Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2023 Best Lawyers in America and Six Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Thursday August 18, 2022 - 2022 Super Lawyers
Thursday May 5, 2022 - Twenty-eight Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Recognized as Top Attorneys for 2021 by Arlington Magazine
Thursday October 21, 2021 - Fifteen Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2022 Best Lawyers in America and Five Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Thursday August 19, 2021 - 2021 Super Lawyers
Thursday May 6, 2021 - Thirteen Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2021 Best Lawyers in America and Three Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Thursday August 20, 2020 - 2020 Super Lawyers
Thursday May 7, 2020 - Twenty-six Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Recognized as Top Attorneys by Arlington Magazine
Friday October 18, 2019 - Eleven Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2020 Best Lawyers in America
Thursday August 15, 2019 - 2019 Super Lawyers
Thursday April 18, 2019 - Ten Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2019 Best Lawyers in America
Wednesday August 15, 2018 - Bean, Kinney & Korman Attorneys Recognized as 2018 Virginia Super Lawyers, Top 10 and Rising Stars
Monday April 30, 2018 - Nine Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2018 Best Lawyers in America
Tuesday August 22, 2017 - Fourteen Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Recognized as 2017 Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Thursday April 13, 2017 - Eight Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2017 Best Lawyers in America
Monday August 15, 2016 - Eleven Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Recognized as 2016 Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Thursday April 7, 2016 - Eight Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2016 Best Lawyers in America
Monday August 17, 2015 - Twelve Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Recognized as 2015 Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Thursday April 9, 2015 - Eight Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Listed in 2015 Best Lawyers in America
Monday August 18, 2014 - Six Attorneys from Bean, Kinney & Korman Recognized as 2014 Virginia Super Lawyers
Friday June 13, 2014 - John Kelly and Christian Lapham Appointed Equity Shareholders
Friday January 17, 2014 - Eight Attorneys Recognized as 2014 Best Lawyers in America
Thursday August 15, 2013 - Christian Lapham Appointed Shareholder of the Firm
Monday May 2, 2011
Publications
- When Parents Split
Arlington Magazine, September 16, 2024 - Navigating Child Custody Issues and Public/Private School Placement
August 19, 2024 - Understanding “Equitable Distribution” in Virginia Divorce
May 22, 2024 - Spousal Support: Navigating Uncertainties in Virginia Divorce
April 29, 2024 - Divorce Considerations for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners in Virginia
December 7, 2023 - ER Doctor’s Temporary Loss of Custody and a Possible Path Forward
April 20, 2020 - Coronavirus and Custody: Implications of Stay at Home Orders
April 20, 2020 - Divorce Toolkit – A Guide to Separation and Divorce in Virginia
March 31, 2020 - Coronavirus and Custody: What You Need to Know During the Crisis
March 29, 2020 - The Seven Things You Wish You Knew At the Beginning of Your Divorce
BKK Family Law Newsletter, October 7, 2015 - Family Law Attorney and Counsellor at Law
BKK Family Law Newsletter, April 29, 2015 - Protective Orders in Virginia
BKK Family Law Newsletter, October 8, 2014 - New Child Support Guidelines under Virginia Code Section 20-108.2: What do They Mean for You?
BKK Family Law Newsletter, May 1, 2014