2021 BUSINESS LAW Q&A

Steven A. Meade

Patten, Wornom, Hatten & Diamonstein LC, Newport News

Title: Member/partner

Other legal specialties: Commercial real estate

Birthplace: Town of Lebanon in Russell County

Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Virginia; law degree, William & Mary School of Law

Spouse: Angie Meade

Children: Alex, 28, and Adam, 22

First job as a lawyer: I am very proud that I have been with the same firm since 1992 when I started as a summer law clerk.

Fan of: My family; being from the Appalachian Mountains of Southwestern Virginia; my law firm; the Pittsburgh Steelers; Disturbed (a rock band); and Orson Scott Card (fiction writer)

Recently read book: “Dune,” by Frank Herbert

Favorite vacation spot: Tie: Outer Banks and Southwestern Virginia’s mountains

What will the legal environment look like for businesses following the pandemic? I believe there will be a lot of return to equilibrium but with more options available for remote working. Hopefully there will fewer video conference calls than at the height of COVID, but it may make U.S. businesses more nimble and with a lighter overhead burden.

How has your business changed over the past year? What sectors are creating more work now? My business is certainly more busy than it was before, perhaps more busy than at any time since 2007. I am seeing clients selling all types of businesses, and anything related to commercial real estate is very hot right now. My office-space landlord clients continue to be slow coming out of COVID, but technology-related clients continue to be a growth area.