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Law 2025: SUMMERLIN III, DANIEL C.
For more than 25 years, Summerlin has advised businesses — from sole proprietorships to Fortune 500 companies — in environmental matters. Summerlin also assists employers with employment laws and regulations, including investigations with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. A Roanoke native, Summerlin returned to the Star City in 1997 to work at Woods Rogers after graduating [&hellip[...]
Law 2025: SPENCER, A. BENJAMIN
An expert in civil procedure and federal jurisdiction, Spencer became William & Mary’s first Black dean in 2020. Prior to his appointment, Spencer served on the faculty at the University of Virginia School of Law. He was the Bennett Boskey Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard Law School during the 2019 to 2020 academic year. […]
Law 2025: FLETCHER, PAUL
A former journalist, Fletcher has led the state’s oldest voluntary bar association since 2021. Under his leadership, the bar this year launched the VBA Leadership Academy to train the legal industry’s next generation of leaders in Virginia. Additionally, it has developed the first model policy for AI use by law firms and established task forces to address […]
Law 2025: SMITH, BROOKS M.
In 2019, Smith was named managing partner of the Richmond offiCEOf the firm that was then Troutman Sanders. In 2020, its name changed to Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders following a merger. In January, the firm completed another merger, this time with Texas-based Locke Lord, becoming Troutman Pepper Locke. Smith oversees over 150 attorneys working in […]
Law 2025: DANIEL, KIMBERLY W.
Daniel stepped into the managing partner role at Hancock Daniel in early 2024, succeeding Page Gravely, who held the job for two decades. Joining the firm in 2004, Daniel is experienced in defending employment law cases, including wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment. She also regularly represents health care entities and professionals. A frequent speaker to […]
Law 2025: RANDALL, KEN
In 2020, Randall joined George Mason as dean of its law school. Previously, he served as dean of the University of Alabama School of Law for two decades. During his tenure, UA’s ranking rose from No. 96 to No. 21 on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law Schools list. Scalia Law School’s rankings have also […]
Law 2025: DAVIS, THE HON. MARK STEVEN
As chief judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, Davis hears the stories of people’s lives. Lives that have been impacted by traumatic events, like armed robberies or gang violence. In 2023, for instance, Davis sentenced the mother of the 6-year- old boy who shot his teacher at a Newport News elementary school for federal convictions […]
Law 2025: CORRIGAN, DAVID P.
After their former law firm dissolved in 1990, Corrigan and colleagues Mike Harman, John Claytor and Stan Wellman launched their own firm, which turns 35 years old in 2026. A former president of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys and fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Corrigan has tried more than 100 cases […]
Law 2025: SKLAIRE, MICHAEL R.
A litigator, Sklaire focuses on government investigations, civil fraud cases, and financial services litigation and regulation at Greenberg Traurig, a global law firm with more than 2,850 attorneys in 49 offices. Sklaire represents corporations and executives before federal agencies including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Com[...]
Law 2025: CARDWELL, VICTOR O.
A native of Lynchburg, Cardwell retained his position as chair of the Woods Rogers board in 2022 when the firm merged with Norfolk’s Vandeventer Black. Cardwell, who also became the first Black president of the Virginia Bar Association that same year, continues to lead the state’s fifth largest law firm, which shortened its name from […]
Law 2025: BURTON, DAVID C.
Burton, who specializes in labor and employment law, has defended employers in federal court cases involving disability, the Family and Medical Leave Act and age discrimination. He also has defended clients in claims brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and has represented management in labor contract negotiations and arbitrations. After graduating from Elon College, […]
Law 2025: BREIT, JEFFREY
A Hampton Roads native, Breit is known for representing plaintiffs in high-profile personal injury cases. Breit is a member of the legal team representing Abby Zwerner, the Newport News elementary school teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student in 2023. In July, a circuit court judge allowed Zwerner to proceed with a lawsuit against […]
