The 25th edition of the Virginia Business Legal Elite

Launched in cooperation with the Virginia Bar Association in 2000, Virginia Business’ Legal Elite polls lawyers licensed to practice in Virginia each year, asking them to identify which of their peers are the top attorneys across 21 legal specialties. Additionally, up-and-coming attorneys are recognized under the Young Lawyer category.

In compiling the 25th edition of the Legal Elite, Virginia Business contacted more than 14,000 attorneys and more than 50 law firms, directing them to a balloting website, which was available only during the annual voting period. Virginia Business contracted with Colorado-based media research and analytics firm DataJoe to conduct balloting.

This year’s Legal Elite list includes a total of 1,572 lawyers, 32.4% of the 4,845 attorneys who were nominated by their peers this year. Attorneys cast 1,241 ballots, making 23,032 separate votes across all 22 categories.

Additionally, the 18 attorneys who have appeared in all 25 editions are recognized in a special list. Ten are from Central Virginia, while five are based in Hampton Roads and three are in Northern Virginia.

Two firms are well represented in this list of 25-year honorees, with three attorneys each. Willcox & Savage has Allan G. Donn, William M. Furr and Thomas G. Johnson Jr. Williams Mullen also has three long-term honorees: William D. Bayliss and firm president, CEO and Chairman Calvin W. “Woody” Fowler Jr., who are based in Richmond, and Thomas R. Frantz, the firm’s chairman emeritus, in Virginia Beach. 

The 25th annual Legal Elite

Silver Jubilee: Attorneys recognized as Virginia’s Legal Elite for all 25 years

• • Administrative/Government/Legislative
    Administrative/Government/Legislative Q&A Pamela Y. O’Berry
  • Business Law
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Appellate Law
  • Bankruptcy/Creditors’ Rights
  • Business Law
    Business Law Q&A Jonathan T. Blank
  • Civil Litigation
    Civil Litigation Q&A Michael K. Kim
    Civil Litigation Q&A Bill O’Mara Jr.
  • Construction Law
    Construction Law Q&A Juanita F. Ferguson
  • Corporate Counsel
  • Criminal Law
    Criminal Law Q&A Daniel J. Miller
  • Cybersecurity/ Data Privacy/ Technology
  • Elder Law
  • Entertainment/ Media/Sports Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Family Law/Domestic Relations
    Family Law/ Domestic Relations Q&A Kimberly Phillips
  • Health Law
    Health Law Q&A Jason R. Davis
  • Immigration Law
    Immigration Law Q&A Radlyn Mendoza and John Gardner
  • Intellectual Property
  • Labor/ Employment Law
    Labor/ Employment Law Q&A Sharon Goodwyn
  • Legal Services/Pro Bono
  • Real Estate/Land Use
  • Taxes/Estates/Trusts
    Taxes/ Estates/ Trusts Q&A Elizabeth “Liz” Soc
  • Young Lawyer
    Young Lawyer Q&A Jamie Wood