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Virginia Business// November 29, 2021//
Wolcott Rivers Gates, Virginia Beach
Title: Member
Other legal specialties: Trust and estates disputes
Birthplace: Chicago
Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Virginia; law degree, U.Va. School of Law
Fan of: U.Va. sports and Chicago Cubs
Recently read book: “The Virginia Dynasty: Four Presidents and the Creation of the American Nation,” by Lynne Cheney
Hobbies: I am a huge history nerd and sports fan, so I visit historic sites, museums and battlefield parks and go to a lot of sporting events.
Career mentors: Tom Albro and Dick Gibson of Tremblay & Smith in Charlottesville.
What has been your most memorable case? Probably the wrongful death suit I successfully defended in the Western District where the decedent was a power lawyer from Chicago killed while on a bicycle tour. His earnings pushed the ad damnum into the tens of millions of dollars and his best friend (and the former Cook County Board of Commissioners president) and his national law firm were counsel for the plaintiff, so it was very hard fought and personal for him. My tour operator’s staff was really stunned by the accusations against them, so it was personal for them too.
What trends are you seeing this year in civil litigation? The increase in virtual meetings, hearings and depositions since the start of the pandemic. It seems to be continuing to at least some degree. Obviously, the expanded jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals, which will begin on Jan. 1, is also a major trend for civil litigation.
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