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Tag: Legal Elite

Legal Elite 2024: Civil Litigation Q&A Michael K. Kim

Legal Elite 2024 Q&A is sponsored content.

Title: Shareholder

Other legal specialties: Limited liability company disputes, shareholder disputes, fiduciary litigation, trusts and estates litigation and general commercial litigation

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Columbia University; law degree, University of Miami School of Law

Family: Wife, Rebecca Wyckoff Kim; four daughters, Mia, Lorelei, Alden and Finley

Career mentors: Robert E. Scully, John A.C. Keith

Most recent book read: “The Boys in the Boat,” by Daniel James Brown

What are your priorities as a board member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Virginia? What does your role as chair of the association’s judicial screening committee entail? As a board member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Virginia, my priorities are serving the needs of the Asian Pacific American community in Virginia, and particularly encouraging and promoting the professional growth and advancement of the Asian Pacific American legal community. As the chair of its judicial screening committee, we interview state and federal judicial candidates and recommend candidates to the Virginia legislature that the screening committee feels are deserving of elevation to the bench. As part of that mission, we actively seek out and encourage excellent and qualified Asian Pacific American lawyers to apply for judicial vacancies so that the makeup of the judiciary in Virginia is reflective of Virginia’s diverse community.

What has been your most memorable case? As a lawyer, I am privileged to represent my clients, who entrust me to represent them in matters that can potentially have personal and financial life-changing consequences. Developing relationships with my clients, learning about their goals and needs, and applying what I have learned to achieve the best legal outcome for my clients is what makes the practice of law memorable to me. I don’t think I can identify one case as being the most memorable. I think all of my cases are memorable, with interesting, and sometimes unique, facts and legal issues.

Read all of the 2024 Virginia Legal Elite here.

Legal Elite 2024 Q&A is sponsored content.

Legal Elite 2024: Civil Litigation Q&A Bill O’Mara Jr.

Legal Elite 2024 Q&A is sponsored content.

Title: Partner/Attorney

Other legal specialties: Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers exclusively represents people injured by the negligence of others with a focus on catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases arising from car, truck and motorcycle accidents. I also have experience representing people injured by negligent businesses and the government.

Education: Indian River High School; bachelor’s degree, Dartmouth College; law degree, Washington and Lee School of Law

Career mentors: Jim Hurley and John Cooper, founders of Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers. I was their first associate attorney hire and have had the privilege of becoming their law partner and being a part of a thriving, respected and growing law practice. 

Hobbies: I spend almost all my free time with my wife (Melissa) and our three children (Lola, 11; Quinn, 9; and Wally, 6), which usually means we are driving to a school or sporting event. 

Fan of: Buffalo Bills. Fun fact: the Bills are 3-0 against Patrick Mahomes when I’m in attendance.
I need to start going to the playoff games …

What do you enjoy most about your legal specialty? I truly do enjoy helping people through their most difficult times. My clients are badly injured and often worried about their future, and it is nice to bring them some peace of mind and help them get back on track.

What case was your biggest win? There’s a saying that a lawyer is only as good as his next case. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers and I have worked hard to develop a strong reputation in the community through great customer service and results. Our reputation and track record afford us the opportunity and privilege to resolve several seven-figure injury cases each year.

Is there something in your past work or personal life that makes you a better attorney? Playing team sports growing up has served me well and translates to all aspects of life, including law practice. I was a co-captain for the football team at Indian River High School and was a benchwarmer on the football team at Dartmouth College.

Read all of the 2024 Virginia Legal Elite here.

Legal Elite 2024 Q&A is sponsored content.

Legal Elite 2024: Appellate Law

Erin B. Ashwell
McGuireWoods
Richmond

F. Nash Bilisoly
Woods Rogers
Norfolk

Beth A. Bittel
ShounBach
Fairfax

Michael Hugh Brady
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston
Richmond

Tillman J. Breckenridge
Stris & Maher
Washington, D.C.

Lindsay Brooker
Virginia Office of the Attorney General
Richmond

Graham K. Bryant
Virginia Office of the Attorney General
Richmond

W. Thomas Chappell
Woods Rogers
Norfolk

John K. Cottrell
Cottrell Fletcher & Cottrell
Alexandria

Trevor S. Cox
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Richmond

Collin Chayce Crookenden
Vanderpool Frostick & Nishanian
Manassas

Raighne C. Delaney
Bean Kinney & Korman
Arlington County

Lawrence D. Diehl
Barnes & Diehl
Richmond

Kevin S. Elliker
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Richmond

Matthew A. Fitzgerald
McGuireWoods
Richmond

Christopher Holinger
Davis, Burch and Abrams
Chesapeake

William H. Hurd
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott
Richmond

Elbert Lin
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Richmond

Robert W. Loftin
McGuireWoods
Richmond

Elaine McCafferty
Woods Rogers
Charlottesville

Kyle McNew
MichieHamlett
Charlottesville

Monica T. Monday
Gentry Locke Attorneys
Roanoke

John P. O’Herron
Thompson McMullan
Richmond

James J. O’Keeffe
MichieHamlett
Roanoke

Jay O’Keeffe
MichieHamlett
Charlottesville

Julie S. Palmer
Harman Claytor, Corrigan & Wellman
Glen Allen

Lucas I. Pangle
Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver
Harrisonburg

Marc A. Peritz
Flora Pettit
Charlottesville

Juli M. Porto
Blankingship & Keith
Fairfax

Brandy M. Poss
Barnes & Diehl
Richmond

S. Virginia Bondurant Price
McGuireWoods
Richmond

Joseph M. Rainsbury
O’Hagan Meyer
Richmond

Brian D. Schmalzbach
McGuireWoods
Richmond

Norman A. Thomas
Norman A. Thomas PLLC
Richmond

Robert R. Vieth
Hirschler
Tysons

John R. Walk
Hirschler
Richmond

Rachel Yates
Law Office of Rachel Yates
Glen Allen

Read all of the 2024 Virginia Legal Elite here.

Legal Elite 2024: Cybersecurity/Data Privacy/Technology Law

Joseph P. Bowse
Roth Jackson Gibbons Condlin
Richmond

John G. Danyluk
Gentry Locke Attorneys
Richmond

Darius Davenport
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin
Norfolk

Gene Fishel
Troutman Pepper
Richmond

William H. Hall
Hancock Daniel
Glen Allen

C. Andrew Konia
McGuireWoods
Tysons

Stephanie Lauterbach-Diaz
Willcox Savage
Norfolk

Sharon D. Nelson
Sensei Enterprises
Fairfax

Kellam T. Parks
Parks Zeigler
Virginia Beach

Kevin Pomfret
Williams Mullen
Tysons

Andrew B. Stockment
Flora Pettit
Charlottesville

Bobby N. Turnage Jr.
Sands Anderson
Richmond

Beth Burgin Waller
Woods Rogers
Roanoke

Read all of the 2024 Virginia Legal Elite here.

Legal Elite 2024: Legal Services/Pro Bono

Tricia Lund Batson
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia
Norfolk

Arlene Beckerman
Fairfax Bar Association
Fairfax

Lisa Ann Bennett
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society
Richmond

Sarah Bennett Bures
Troutman Pepper
Richmond

Tara Casey
University of Richmond School of Law
Richmond

Steve Dickinson
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society
Richmond

Jennifer L. Eaton
Woods Rogers
Norfolk

Jenny Fulmer
American Registry for Internet Numbers
Chantilly

Allison Held
VCU Health
Richmond

Chidi I. James
Blankingship & Keith
Fairfax

Alexandra Lydon
Legal Services of Northern Virginia
Alexandria

Nora Elizabeth Mahoney
Legal Services of Northern Virginia
Fairfax

David S. Mercer
MercerTrigiani
Alexandria

G. Andrew Nea Jr.
Williams Mullen
Richmond

Susan C. Proctor
Blue Ridge Legal Services
Roanoke

Mona Raza
Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley
Roanoke

James W. Speer
The Virginia Poverty Law Center
Richmond

Robert J. Stoney
Blankingship & Keith
Fairfax

Susheela Varky
Virginia Poverty Law Center
Richmond

James L. Weinberg
Hirschler
Richmond

John E. Whitfield
Blue Ridge Legal Services
Harrisonburg

Read all of the 2024 Virginia Legal Elite here.

Legal Elite 2024: Business Law Q&A Jonathan T. Blank

Legal Elite 2024 Q&A is sponsored content.

Title: Partner and energy industry team co-chair; former chair of business and securities litigation; former Charlottesville office managing partner

Other legal specialties: As a trial lawyer, complex matters are my specialty. As a problem solver, not a problem creator, the more complex the better.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Virginia; law degree, U.Va. School of Law

Family: Dr. Susan Blank (wife), two sets of twin daughters, Madeline and Alexandra Blank (17) and Caroline and Isabel Blank (14); parents Irving and Rhona Blank, and sister Lisa Blank

Career mentors: Irving Blank of BlankMarcus, past Virginia State Bar president and past Virginia Law Foundation president. Everyone knows about his legal and leadership acumen, but he is a better father than lawyer. Richard Cullen, McGuireWoods’ former chair: Richard taught me the value of relationships, as well as if there is a problem to be solved, do not wait for others to solve it.

Fan of: Sports and in particular Caitlin Clark and U.Va. basketball

Bingeworthy TV shows: “Jack Ryan,” “The Diplomat” and “Only Murders in the Building”

How do you expect to see policies change or react to the growth of data centers in Northern Virginia? Local, state and federal energy policy will react, change and adapt to the growth of data centers across the state. Sustained economic growth in the commonwealth and across the country will depend in part on more data centers, and data centers must have reliable, secure energy sources. Every level of government needs to be committed and flexible to progress.

Commercial litigation related to generative AI tools seems to be rising. What types of cases are you seeing? AI tools are still in their nascent form, but they will find their way into every part of American jurisprudence. In the near term, substantive cases related to AI tools will continue to surface in labor and employment, intellectual property and business competition/trade secret cases. We will also see AI tools in tort and contract cases as well. From research to jury consulting to trial tactics, AI will influence every part of civil litigation.

Read all of the 2024 Virginia Legal Elite here.

Legal Elite 2024 Q&A is sponsored content.

Legal Elite 2024: Labor/Employment Law

Faith A. Alejandro
Sands Anderson
Richmond

Zev Antell
Butler Curwood
Richmond

Ryan M. Bates
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Washington, D.C.

Paul G. Beers
Glenn Feldmann Darby & Goodlatte
Roanoke

Amanda Tapscott Belliveau
McCandlish Holton
Richmond

John V. Berry
Berry & Berry
Reston

Lisa Bertini
Bertini Law Firm
Virginia Beach

Anne G. Bibeau
Woods Rogers
Norfolk

Susan Blake
Dominion Enterprises
Norfolk

R. Patrick Bolling
Woods Rogers
Roanoke

Elaine Charlson Bredehoft
Charlson Bredehoft Cohen Brown & Nadelhaft
Reston

John Michael Bredehoft
Kaufman & Canoles
Norfolk

Carla D. Brown
Charlson Bredehoft Cohen Brown & Nadelhaft
Reston

Alyson M. Brown
Silgan Dispensing Systems
Richmond

Dean T. Buckius
Woods Rogers
Norfolk

Jack W. Burtch Jr.
Burtch Law
Richmond

Douglas R. Burtch
Burtch Law
Richmond

David C. Burton
Williams Mullen
Virginia Beach

Harris D. Butler III
Butler Curwood
Richmond

Jeremy D. Capps
Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman
Glen Allen

Victor O. Cardwell
Woods Rogers
Roanoke

Maureen E. Carr
Bean Kinney & Korman
Arlington County

Caine Joseph Caverly
Jackson Lewis
Richmond

Brian F. Chandler
Protorae Law
Tysons

Deborah Y. Collins
Yeng Collins Law
Norfolk

David E. Constine III
Troutman Pepper
Richmond

James K. Cowan Jr.
Cowan Perry
Blacksburg

Craig Juraj Curwood
Butler Curwood
Richmond

Kimberly W. Daniel
Hancock Daniel
Richmond

Lauren R. Darden
Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver
Harrisonburg

John E. Davidson
Davidson & Kitzmann
Charlottesville

Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Davis
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston
Richmond

Broderick C. Dunn
Cook Craig & Francuzenko
Fairfax

Elizabeth M. Ebanks
Ogletree Deakins
Richmond

Karen S. Elliott
FordHarrison
Richmond

Lauren E. Fisher
White Christian & Barton
Richmond

William M. Furr
Willcox Savage
Norfolk

Todd M. Gaynor
Gaynor Law Center
Norfolk

Sean M. Gibbons
Roth Jackson Gibbons Condlin
Richmond

Ryan A. Glasgow
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Richmond

Sharon S. Goodwyn
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Richmond

Steven P. Gould
PLDR Law
Lynchburg

Betty S.W. Graumlich
Reed Smith
Richmond

Laura Gross
Kaufman & Canoles
Norfolk

Robyn Hylton Hansen
Sands Anderson
Williamsburg

Richard F. Hawkins III
The Hawkins Law Firm
Richmond

Melissa Jackson Howell
Howell Law Group
Virginia Beach

Phillip Henry Hucles
Sentara Health
Norfolk

Edward Lee Isler
IslerDare
Vienna

Joshua L. Jewett
Pierce Jewett
Norfolk

Nick Johnson
Berenzweig Leonard
McLean

Benjamin Johnson
Pierce Jewett
Norfolk

Stephanie P. Karn
Williams Mullen
Richmond

Laurie L. Kirkland
Blankingship & Keith
Fairfax

Paul G. Klockenbrink
Gentry Locke Attorneys
Roanoke

Yiorgos L. Koliopoulos
Williams Mullen
Virginia Beach

Lindsey S. Komisin
IslerDare
Richmond

David A. Kushner
Willcox Savage
Norfolk

Todd A. Leeson
Gentry Locke Attorneys
Roanoke

Declan Leonard
Berenzweig Leonard
McLean

Katie Lipp
The Lipp Law Firm
Reston

Vijay K. Mago
O’Hagan Meyer
Richmond

Courtney Malveaux
McGuireWoods
Richmond

Kevin E. Martingayle
Bischoff Martingayle
Virginia Beach

Richard H. Matthews
Pender & Coward
Virginia Beach

Joan C. McKenna
O’Hagan Meyer
Richmond

Charles G. Meyer III
O’Hagan Meyer
Richmond

Christopher M. Michalik
McGuireWoods
Richmond

Melisa G. Michelsen
Litten & Sipe
Harrisonburg

Monique Miles
Old Towne Associates
Alexandria

W. Barry Montgomery
Kalbaugh Pfund & Messersmith
Richmond

Charlene A. Morring
Morring Law
Norfolk

David E. Murphy
McCandlish Lillard
Fairfax

Brian G. Muse
Sands Anderson
Williamsburg

Susan Childers North
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
Williamsburg

Noah S. Oberlander
Reed Smith
Richmond

Samantha Otero
McCandlish Holton
Richmond

William M. Palmer
Kaufman & Canoles
Norfolk

Marc E. Pasekoff
Shannon & Wright
Alexandria

W. David Paxton
Gentry Locke Attorneys
Richmond

William Daniel Prince IV
ThompsonMcMullan
Richmond

Barbara Queen
LawrenceQueen Employment Attorneys
Richmond

Elizabeth P. Redpath
McGuireWoods
Richmond

Merrell Beth Renaud
Miles & Stockbridge
Tysons

Sharon Kerk Reyes
Kaufman & Canoles
Norfolk

Leigh Rhoads
Virginia Employment Law
Roanoke

John Rigby
McInroy, Rigby & Rhodes
Arlington County

Sarah Flynn Robb
Sarah Robb Law
Richmond

Jimmy F. Robinson Jr.
Ogletree Deakins
Richmond

Barry Rowell
Klein Rowell & Shall
Virginia Beach

Dana Rust
McGuireWoods
Richmond

Matthew Sarfan
Hirschler
Richmond

Thomas J. Sawyer
Odin Feldman & Pittleman
Reston

Andrew P. Sherrod
Hirschler
Richmond

James H. Shoemaker Jr.
Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein
Newport News

Scott Andrew Siegner
Ogletree Deakins
Richmond

Aaron Siegrist
Pierce Jewett
Richmond

Nicholas Simopoulos
Simopoulos Law
Richmond

Randy C. Sparks Jr.
Kaufman & Canoles
Richmond

J. Thomas Spiggle
The Spiggle Law Firm
Alexandria

Kristina Keech Spitler
Vanderpool Frostick & Nishanian
Manassas

Leah M. Stiegler
Woods Rogers
Roanoke

Tommy Strelka
Virginia Employment Law
Roanoke

Ann Sullivan
Ann K. Sullivan PLC
Norfolk

Jonathan Martin Sumrell
Hancock Daniel
Richmond

Neil Shantaram Talegaonkar
Kaufman & Canoles
Richmond

Sara Tandy
Reaves GovCon Group
Richmond

R. Douglas Taylor Jr.
Bean Kinney & Korman
Arlington County

James R. Theuer
James R. Theuer PLLC
Norfolk

John E. Thomas
McGuireWoods
Tysons

King F. Tower
Woods Rogers
Roanoke

Crystal L. Tyler
IslerDare
Richmond

Thomas E. Ullrich
Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver
Harrisonburg

Roya Vasseghi
Vasseghi Law Group
Fairfax

Amanda M. Weaver
Williams Mullen
Richmond

Cathleen P. Welsh
Flora Pettit
Charlottesville

Burt H. Whitt
Kaufman & Canoles
Norfolk

Jeffrey D. Wilson
Pender & Coward
Virginia Beach

Laura D. Windsor
Williams Mullen
Richmond

Thomas M. Winn III
Woods Rogers
Roanoke

Jaime B. Wisegarver
Hirschler
Richmond

Cher E. Wynkoop
Willcox Savage
Norfolk

Melissa Y. York
Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman
Glen Allen

Kristin A. Zech
Berenzweig Leonard
McLean

Read all of the 2024 Virginia Legal Elite here.

The 24th 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 categories of legal specialties.

In compiling the Legal Elite, Virginia Business contacted more than 14,000 attorneys and more than 50 law firms, directing them to a balloting website that 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 categories include a total of 1,530 lawyers, 29.6% of the 5,174 attorneys who were nominated by their peers this year. Attorneys cast 1,359 ballots, making 23,885 separate votes across all 21 legal specialty categories. Virginia Business’ editors chose a representative from each legal category to highlight in a brief Q&A profile.

To better reflect the changing legal landscape, Virginia Business has added a new, 21st specialty category for Intellectual Property, separating the practice from the revamped Cybersecurity/Data Privacy/Technology category.

Additionally, the 18 attorneys who have appeared in all 24 editions are recognized separately. 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 24-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 longtime honorees: William D. Bayliss and Calvin W. “Woody” Fowler Jr., who are based in Richmond, and Thomas R. Frantz, the firm’s chairman emeritus, in Virginia Beach.

Going the distance: The 18 lawyers who have made the list every year since 2000

‘National powerhouse’: McGuireWoods grows while maintaining tight-knit culture

Click on category to see complete list and profile.

Legal Elite 2023: Construction Law Q&A

Title: All of our attorneys at Flora Pettit have the same title: Attorney at law.

Other legal specialties: Commercial litigation of all sorts, first and foremost. I handle employment law for construction clients and others, as well. Additionally, past tenures with institutional employers like the U.S. House of Representatives and the University of Virginia have allowed me to maintain cottage practices in higher education law, white collar/compliance, and internal investigations/crisis response.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, U.Va.; law degree, University of Pittsburgh

Family: My wife of seven years, Anna. We have three children: Violet, 5; Emerson, 3; and Felicity, 1.

Career mentors: Barry Hartman (K&L Gates) and Brian Stolarz (now at Norton Rose Fulbright) raised me as a baby lawyer and taught me how to handle high-pressure litigation. Deborah Sue Mayer (now at the International Criminal Court in The Hague) is the most dedicated public servant on the planet, and has been an invaluable resource since our first day together on Capitol Hill. Betsy Manuel at Smith Bain Manuel got me interested in construction law and patiently taught me how to do it well.

What’s the most rewarding construction law case you’ve worked on? It’s more of a public contracts case, but a couple of years ago, the City of Charlottesville donated a bronze statue of Robert E. Lee (yes, that one) to our client, the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, which sought to turn the statue into a new public work of art. A lawsuit was filed against the city and the Jefferson School, alleging, among other things, that the donation violated the Public Procurement Act. The court ultimately dismissed that count on a plea in bar related to standing.

Check out the rest of the 2023 Legal Elite. 

Legal Elite 2023: Family Law/Domestic Relations Q&A

Title: Associate

Education: Bachelor’s degree and law degree, West Virginia University

Family: Daughter of Rick and Stephanie Stevens of Cumming, Georgia; sister Hannah Stevens of Morgantown, West Virginia; and sister Tara Keller of Crozet

Career mentors: Humes “Tripp” Franklin III, managing partner of Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver; Cathy Bond Wallace, executive director of ChildLaw Services

Hobbies: After work, I usually curl up in a comfortable chair with my nose in a book. I also indulge my creative interests. I love the theater. I also enjoy drawing and painting.

First legal job: I have had the pleasure of working for Wharton, Aldhizer & Weaver since I graduated from law school in 2017. I enjoy working at a firm with diverse practice areas, and I love the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues on a case. 

Bingeworthy TV show: “Ted Lasso”

When did you know you wanted to be an attorney? In the fifth grade, I was nominated by my classmates to be a “conflict mediator” for my elementary school. I successfully resolved a dispute between two students over a stolen eraser, and the rest is history. 

What do you love most about family law? Family law is an especially client-centered practice area. I thoroughly enjoy getting to know my clients and their families, and I consider it a privilege to guide my clients through an emotional, stressful time in their life.

Check out the rest of the 2023 Legal Elite.