About John K.
John K. Karanian combines training in psychology with a law degree. He studied psychology at Georgetown University and later pursued clinical psychology studies at the University of Hartford. He earned his J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2000.
Before turning to full-time legal practice, Karanian worked in clinical and forensic settings. He served as a clinical psychology intern at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina. He then worked at Central State Hospital’s maximum-security forensic unit and spent time as a forensic psychologist with the Liberty Forensic Unit at Riverside Regional Jail. In 2000 he took on a role as a clinical psychologist at the Central Intelligence Agency.
Karanian moved into law after completing his J.D. He joined Barnes & Diehl, PC as an associate in 2004. Over the next eight years he built his practice there and became a shareholder in 2012. His career path is notable for the transition from clinical work back into legal practice, a change that brought an unusual blend of skills to his law practice.
He is active in local and state bar groups. He is a member of the Chesterfield County Bar Association and participates in the Virginia State Bar’s Family Law Section. Those memberships align with the area of law he pursues in practice.
In court and at the office, Karanian draws on his prior experience working with institutional and justice-system populations. That background informs how he approaches cases and client interactions. Colleagues say his earlier work in forensic settings gives him familiarity with expert testimony and the evaluation process, which can be relevant in family law matters that touch on mental health or custody evaluations.
Karanian is licensed to practice in Virginia. He is listed at Barnes & Diehl, PC, where he serves as a shareholder. He handles family law matters, counseling clients through divorce, custody and related proceedings in Virginia courts.
He maintains his practice in Virginia and continues to handle family law cases at Barnes & Diehl, PC.
