Sheila M. Costin
Sheila M. Costin brings her nearly 30 years of experience as a trial attorney in the federal and state courts of Virginia and Maryland to help her clients achieve their goals effectively and efficiently. As the head of HCM’s Guardians and Conservators practice group, she advises clients on fiduciary duties. Sheila also represents clients in business disputes, and advises on the formation of new businesses.
Sheila has successfully represented administrators, executors, guardians, conservators, trustees and beneficiaries in litigation – including will contests; cases involving claims of wrongdoing against trustees, executors and conservators; and disputes among beneficiaries and heirs. Sheila also frequently counsels trustees and executors, advising them on administration of trusts and estates and assisting with court-mandated filings.
In addition to her work on behalf of fiduciaries and beneficiaries, Sheila represents clients involved in business litigation, where, for example, there are disputes over the dissolution of a business, non-competition agreements, theft of trade secrets, and breach of contract.
Sheila was inducted into the Virginia Law Foundation as a Fellow in 2023. She has been recognized as one of Northern Virginia’s “Best Lawyers” and was recently included in Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s 2022 class of “Influential Women of Law.”
Bar Admissions
Sheila is licensed to practice by the Bars of Virginia and Maryland.
Court Admissions
Supreme Court of Virginia
Court of Appeals of Maryland
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
Education
St. Lawrence University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1987
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 1990
Volunteer Work and Leadership in the Legal Community and Beyond
Virginia State Bar Diversity Conference Board of Governors
Chair (2020-2021)
Virginia Board of Bar Examiners Character and Fitness Committee
Virginia Women Attorneys Association (1994-2020)
Past president, VWAA (2007-2008)
Alexandria Bar Association
Fairfax Bar Association
Northern Virginia Swim League
Advertising Chair (2015-2019)