Business Law

Brian R. Pitney

Sands Anderson PC
Richmond

Title: Shareholder and member of the board of directors

Other legal specialties: Commercial real estate

Birthplace: Ukiah, Calif.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill; law degree, University of Richmond

Spouse: Muriel T. Pitney

Children: Jacob, 21, and Grace, 18

Hobbies: Pottery and music

First job as a lawyer: Kaestner & Associates

Fan of: Tar Heel basketball

Favorite vacation spot: Snowboarding in Snowmass, Colo.

Recently read book: “Cornell ‘77: The Music, the Myth, and the Magnificence of the Grateful Dead’s Concert at Barton Hall” by Peter H. Conners

Career mentors: Roger Pitney (father) for work ethic, and Joseph W. Kaestner for the dos and don’ts of running a law firm

You have worked with a number of entrepreneurs. How are their legal needs different from other business clients? I love working for serial entrepreneurs. The variety of businesses, risk tolerances and ultimately their rewards keep me motivated and grateful in working with them every day. They are demanding, inquisitive and brilliant, which keeps me on my toes. I enjoy serving as their business partner moving through various deals, and I get this opportunity simply because I have a license to practice law. They don’t teach this stuff in law school.

How could Virginia’s business environment be improved to stimulate economic growth? It would be helpful for federal, state and local government agencies to act with more alacrity and precision in permitting, licensing and regulating small and closely held businesses. Virginia has done a great job in attracting and retaining entrepreneurs, and it takes effort to ensure this business environment continues in the future.