Our Team

Stephen Donches II started Donches Law in 2023 after 4 years with Nelis Law in Purcellville, Virginia. Steve’s practice focuses primarily in the areas of civil litigation, land use and zoning, business law, and renewable energy. Throughout his legal and consulting career, Steve has represented some of the largest battery and energy storage companies in the nation, other large manufacturers, residential developers, national environmental groups, an array of small businesses, and individuals within the northern Virginia community.

Steve began his career as a reporter covering the United States Supreme Court and was then selected as the Executive Editor for a weekly legal journal for American Lawyer Media. He then served as counsel and appropriations director in the United States Senate before managing a large federal consulting firm in Arlington. Steve began his entrepreneurial career by opening his own federal consulting firm that operated for 12 years in the fields of energy, environment, defense, transportation, and federal appropriations. Following a serious illness, Steve joined Nelis Law, a real estate, land use, and general practice firm in western Loudoun County.

Steve is admitted to practice law in Virginia, Arizona, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. In 2021, he served on the Virginia Energy Storage Task Force, which was established to advise the Virginia General Assembly on the clean energy transition and the implementation of the energy storage provisions of the Virginia Clean Economy Act. Recently, Steve was integrally involved in the development of the energy storage provisions of the 2023 Revised Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. Steve also completed the National Trial Advocacy College program at the University of Virginia School of Law. He is a member of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce and the Loudoun County Bar Association.

Steve attended Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and received his B.A. in Politics. He is also a graduate of Catholic University Law School. He and his wife, Michelle, have lived in Purcellville, VA for 18 years. Their daughter is a graduate of the University of Virginia and a civil and environmental engineer in Loudoun County, VA, and their son currently attends the University of South Carolina.

Amy joined Donches Law in 2023. Previously, she worked as a litigation paralegal for 13 years at a local law firm in Fairfax, VA. After taking time off to raise her family,  Amy now brings her litigation background and expertise to Donches Law.

She has a BS degree from George Mason University in Criminal Justice and a Paralegal Certification from Shenandoah University.

Amy and her husband, Lou, live in Leesburg, VA with their three children.