Our Dedicated Legal Team at Byler Iaquinto Law, P.C.
Meet Our Attorneys
Experienced and Strategic
Gary Byler
Gary C. Byler was born and raised in Virginia Beach and graduated from Bayside High School. He went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Business/Accounting from Georgetown University and served as one of John Warner's first legislative aides in the United States Senate. He earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1982. Following graduation, Gary Byler went to work for President Ronald Reagan in the White House. Instead of joining a law firm, he returned home and opened his own law practice in 1984.
Gary Byler and his staff offer professional legal representation and a level of personalized service that is unmatched. Each client receives Gary Byler's personal telephone number so that they never have to run the gauntlet of secretaries and paralegals many other attorneys place between themselves and their clients.
"Gary Byler is a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100" as a civil plaintiff attorney.
Stephanie Iaquinto
Stephanie Iaquinto began practicing law in 1996, after earning her degree from Regent University School of Law. Since then, she has practiced in the areas of creditors’ rights, foreclosure, personal injury, and criminal defense. She joined the law firm in 2020, where she fights for fair compensation for clients who’ve been injured by the negligence of others and defends those who face traffic, DUI, and criminal charges.
In addition to her law degree, Stephanie holds a doctoral degree in Communication Studies and has served as an adjunct professor at Regent University, Virginia Wesleyan University, and Tidewater Community College, teaching in the areas of law, media studies, rhetoric, persuasion, group dynamics, public speaking, and interpersonal communication. She’s also served as the Academic Dean at Wave Leadership College in Virginia Beach and is a member of the Virginia Beach Bar Association and the Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association. She and her husband have four sons and are active members of Trinity Church.
Derek Smith
Derek is an enthusiastic and zealous advocate in the courtroom! Derek is a seasoned trial attorney who loves jury trials and crafting creative legal arguments. Prior to joining Byler Iaquinto, Derek worked as a Public Defender in Norfolk, VA for nearly four years, where he handled approximately 1,000 cases in Circuit Court, General District Court, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.
He handles felony and misdemeanor matters, as well as matters involving juvenile defendants, including, but not limited to, felony drug offenses, felony probation violations, property crimes, violent crimes, weapons offenses, and traffic offenses, among others. Derek was recognized as the Public Practitioner of the Year by the South Hampton Roads Bar Association in 2020.
Derek was born in Norfolk and grew up in the Western Branch area of Chesapeake. He graduated from Norfolk State University in 2015 with a degree in History. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2018. Derek has a passion for music and exercises no less than five days a week!
Samuel L. Small
Samuel L. Small is a licensed attorney practicing law since April 2024, with a focus on personal injury and insurance law, traffic/criminal misdemeanors, and mold/residential landlord-tenant matters. He has worked with Gary Byler for approximately 10 years before being admitted to the bar.
Samuel earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2023, following his undergraduate degree in History, cum laude, from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2018.
In addition to his legal career, Samuel enjoys an active lifestyle that includes soccer, boxing, gardening, and fishing. These hobbies reflect his dedication to discipline, strategy, and maintaining a balanced life outside of the courtroom. Samuel’s diverse experiences and passion for justice guide him in advocating for his clients across multiple practice areas.
Meet Our Legal Support Team Leads
Tracey Lassiter
Executive assistant and head of the Pre-Litigation Department, Tracey Lassiter has been at the firm since 1993, having met Gary Byler after she became the victim of an auto accident and needed a lawyer herself. Since then, she’s served in nearly every capacity and knows the claims process inside and out.
Tracey attributes her longevity with this firm to Mr. Byler’s dedication to his clients and employees. “He’s created a very family-friendly environment,” Tracey says, “and he cares deeply about us as if we were his own family.”
A native New Yorker, Tracey has lived in Hampton Roads since she was a child and graduated from a local high school before attending college to study photography and art.
In December 2018, Tracey was nominated and selected as one of Virginia Lawyers Weekly's “Unsung Legal Heroes.” She is very proud of this award.
Tamara Langston
Tamara serves as Office Manager and Senior Paralegal in our family law office. She began her legal profession in 1998 as a Deputy Clerk for the Norfolk Circuit Court, where she diligently assisted the Clerk of Court, nine judges, and the public for several years. Tamara was later employed in private practice, specializing in family, criminal, traffic, civil, and elder law. Over the past 20 years, she has gained extensive knowledge and experience in family law. In December 2022, Tamara was nominated, selected, and awarded as a Virginia Lawyers Weekly “Unsung Legal Hero.”
Tamara holds a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice from Old Dominion University, a Paralegal Degree from Tidewater Community College, and a certificate in Small Business Management from Tidewater Builder’s Association.
Tamara is a local of Virginia Beach, VA. She loves spending quality time with her family. She has been married to Rodney for over 19 years, is the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, Jallon and Jada, and is the blessed grandmother of Caleb, Naomi, and Aria. Outside of family, Tamara enjoys singing and acting. She is a god-fearing woman with a testimony. Her daily prayer is that she be received by all as a positive beacon of light in the community and that she may uplift someone’s day with her warm smile, big heart, and exuding compassion.