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byline: Virginia Business

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. 

100 People to Meet in 2024: Builders

These Virginians are building the future in bricks and mortar with major development projects in communities across the commonwealth. 

Duke Dodson

CEO, Dodson Cos./Dodson Development Group
Richmond

A Richmond native, Duke Dodson grew up vacationing in Colonial Beach. “It was a mini-Atlantic City then, but legal changes forced casinos out of business,” says the developer. When Dodson saw an opportunity to invest in reviving the downtown waterfront, he was all in.

Dodson’s $25 million Colonial Beach mixed-use development, which includes a hotel and a wine and cheese shop, is expected to create 250 jobs. 

Dodson founded his company in 2007, and although Colonial Beach is a major focus, he has Richmond projects as well, including a group of mixed-use properties on East Broad Street. In 2024, Dodson has plans for a baseball card shop and sports bar in Scott’s Addition.

 

Mike Hopkins

Managing director, Fairwinds Landing
Norfolk

Mike Hopkins got a glimpse at seeing projects through from start to finish as a general counsel for international shipping giant Maersk Line. It’s proved to be good experience for his current job, leading the development of Fairwinds Landing, a $100 million maritime operations and logistics center at Lambert’s Point Docks in Norfolk supporting Hampton Roads’ offshore wind, defense and transportation industries.

Development partners The Miller Group, Balicore Construction and Fairlead Integrated broke ground on Fairwinds Landing in June. Tenants so far include Newport News Shipbuilding and Dominion Energy. Dominion will monitor and coordinate construction of its $9.8 billion Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind farm from its operations center there. It’s been “the best kind of job of my life so far,” says Hopkins, adding it’s exciting to be on the ground floor of a new endeavor.

 

Whitson Huffman

Co-CEO, Capital Square
Glen Allen

Whitson Huffman has been real estate firm Capital Square’s co-CEO for a bit longer than a year, but he’s not new to the industry. Before joining his father-in-law Louis Rogers’ firm in 2018, Huffman made his bones at Ernst & Young and JBG Smith.

A graduate of Georgetown University and a Washington, D.C., native, Huffman says he expects Capital Square, which specializes in sponsoring tax-advantaged real estate investments and developing high-end multifamily properties across the nation, to continue growing its institutional real estate business in 2024 with new Class A properties with top amenities and prices to match. Capital Square is the largest multifamily housing developer in Richmond’s trendy Scott’s Addition neighborhood.

Huffman serves on the board of the Maymont Foundation, which oversees the popular, 100-acre Richmond public park and former Victorian estate, where he enjoys taking his three young children.

 

Shawn Tibbetts

Chief operating officer, Armada Hoffler
Virginia Beach

As COO for the commercial real estate giant behind Virginia Beach’s Town Center, Shawn Tibbetts aims to “servant lead” — acting as a team captain instead of coach. “When a team sees that the leader is in the game with them and playing the game with them — win, lose or draw — that’s powerful.” Tibbetts also focuses on providing healthy returns for Armada Hoffler’s shareholders while coping with changing demand for office space. A graduate of William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business, Tibbetts was previously the Port of Virginia’s COO and president until 2019, when he joined Armada Hoffler.

“This was a heck of an opportunity and awesome company with foundational elements that I believe are going to propel us into the next level in the future,” he says.

Ed Walker

Developer
Roanoke

Ed Walker estimates he’s built more than 500 apartments and helped redevelop several neighborhoods over the past two decades, but he doesn’t consider himself a developer.

“I think of it as community investing,” he says. “I’ve been a catalyst, but the colleagues I’ve worked with have made these projects reality.”

To date, Walker has been involved in multiple redevelopment projects that have transformed Danville and Roanoke, where he maintains two residences. He started The Bee Hotel and revived Roanoke’s historic Grandin Theatre. This year, Walker came back from the brink of retirement for his final act: redeveloping the sprawling campus of a former rayon factory in Roanoke. Dubbed Riverdale, the industrial property is set to include 375 apartments and a commercial building in phase one, and Walker is partnering with the City of Roanoke on the $50 million project.

Check out the other 100 People to Meet in 2024.

Legal Elite 2023: Health Law Q&A

Title: Principal

Other legal specialties: Cybersecurity and data privacy, corporate law

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Davidson College; law degree, William & Mary Law School

Family: Married to Chad Heddleston, recreation coordinator at Virginia Western Community College. We have two wonderful daughters, Sophie, 4, and Flora, 2.

Career mentors: I am thankful for the wisdom and encouragement of my father and fellow lawyer, Kevin Barry, and the brilliant women attorneys in my life who have helped me navigate the demands of a law career and raising a family.

Hobbies: Spending time outside with my family, running, hiking and rock climbing

First legal job: After my first year of law school, I interned at the Office of Chief Staff Attorney for the Supreme Court of Virginia and got a behind-the-scenes look at Virginia’s highest court.

Bingeworthy TV show: “Abbott Elementary” — funny and heart-warming!

What do you love most about health care law? I love working with clients who are dedicated to their patients, day in and day out, despite the many challenges facing the health care industry. Health care is constantly changing due to innovations in technology and medical advances. As a health law attorney, I have to be a lifelong learner to keep up with the changing legal landscape.

What are the most recent challenges you’re seeing in health care law? Cybersecurity continues to be a major challenge for health care organizations, which continue to be a primary target for hackers. A successful cyberattack will not only compromise sensitive patient data, it can shut down health care operations and threaten patient safety. Health care organizations have a legal responsibility under HIPAA and other laws to implement safeguards to guard against these attacks, and compliance remains a challenge as cyberattacks become more sophisticated.

Check out the rest of the 2023 Legal Elite. 

Legal Elite 2023: Corporate Counsel

James Bailey
Williams Mullen, Richmond

Marina Blickley
CACI International, Reston

Ryan Boggs
Dominion Energy, Richmond

N. Reid Broughton
Sands Anderson, Christiansburg

Carlos M. Brown
Dominion Energy, Richmond

Douglas Callaway
Union Bankshares, Richmond

Joseph Hannah Carpenter IV
Norfolk Southern, Atlanta

J. David Carroll
Sands Anderson, Richmond

Nicholas Conte
Carilion Clinic, Roanoke

Andriana Shultz Daly
Indivior, Richmond

J. Benjamin English
Hirschler Fleischer, Richmond

Guy R. Friddell III
Dominion Enterprises, Norfolk

Jenny Fulmer
American Registry for Internet Numbers, Chantilly

Richard S. Guy
Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black, Norfolk

Imie Aisiku Harber
McCandlish Holton, Richmond

Ute Heidenreich
TowneBank, Suffolk

Edward F. Hodges Jr.
Davenport Energy/ First Piedmont, Chatham

John C. Hodges
Dunton, Simmons & Dunton, White Stone

John Jongbloed
Greenberg Traurig, McLean

Kathleen A. Kelley
Bean Kinney & Korman, Arlington County

Christopher Michael Kozlowski
Carter Machinery, Salem

Amanda Lee Kutz
SANS Institute, Virginia Beach

Ryan A. Logan
McCandlish Lillard, Fairfax

Michael J. Lowell
Reed Smith, Tysons

Daniel P. Lyon
McCandlish Lillard, Leesburg

Joy Malbon-Griffin
Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance, Richmond

Gabriel L. McCoy
Williams Mullen, Virginia Beach

Sarah Jayne McCoy
Port of Virginia, Norfolk

Sean C.E. McDonough
American Diabetes Association, Arlington County

Michael R. Newby
Hancock Daniel, Glen Allen

Gretchen Marie Ostroff
Dragados USA, Norfolk

Stephen Dennis Otero
Capital One Financial, Richmond

Charles W. Payne Jr.
Hirschler Fleischer, Fredericksburg

Katharina Powers
Innovations in Transportation Inc., Chesapeake

Thomas F. Quinn
Odin Feldman Pittleman, Reston

Jennifer M. Rafferty
Titan America, Norfolk

John “Jack” MacDonald Robb III
Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, Glen Allen

William Quinton Robinson
Blankingship & Keith, Fairfax

Joe Romero
BAE Systems Ordnance Systems Inc., Radford

Rodney Satterwhite
Hilb Group, Richmond

Kate Seikaly
Reed Smith, Tysons

William F. Seymour IV
Florance Gordon Brown, Richmond

L. Scott Seymour
Kaufman & Canoles, Norfolk

C. Brandon Spalding Jr.
Hirschler Fleischer, Richmond

Mac Stuckey
CarMax, Richmond

Mary Thexton
McGuireWoods, Richmond

Molly Trant
Riverside Health System, Newport News

William J. Walsh
McCandlish Lillard, Fairfax

Darryl D. Whitesell
Foster Fuels, Brookneal

Simone T. Williams
Amtrak, Richmond

Michael Wilson
Reaves PLLC , Chesapeake

Check out the rest of the 2023 Legal Elite. 

Legal Elite 2023: Family Law/ Domestic Relations

Carolyn M. Abbate
Grenadier, Duffett, Levi, Winkler & Rubin, Alexandria

Luis A. Abreu
Luis A. Abreu PLLC, Danville

Alice Ahearn
The Geller Law Group, Fairfax

Debra C. Albiston
Albiston Brannon & Gilbert, Virginia Beach

Carmelou G. Aloupas
Aloupas Law, Chesapeake

Regina Amick
Wolcott Rivers Gates, Virginia Beach

Allison W. Anders
Chaing Anders, Virginia Beach

Susan C. Armstrong
Armstrong Law Firm, Richmond

Erica Baez
Erica Baez Law, Richmond

Nupur Bal
Bowen Ten Long & Bal, Richmond

Edward D. Barnes
Barnes & Diehl, Richmond

Mollie C. Barton
Stiles Ewing Powers, Henrico County

W. Brantley Basnight III
Wolcott Rivers Gates, Virginia Beach

Jessica C. Beatty
Stiles Ewing Powers, Henrico County

Michael R. Bedsaul
Sands Anderson, Christiansburg

Scott Ivars Bemberis
Clifford & Duke, Chesterfield County

Dale Truitt Berrett
Kaufman & Canoles, Virginia Beach

Michelle A. Bieber
Bean Kinney & Korman, Arlington County

Marc A. Boyko
BoykoNapier, Richmond

Jennifer A. Bradley
Mullett Dove & Bradley Family Law, Arlington County

Anna Bristle
Bristle Law, Manassas

Peter W. Buchbauer
Buchbauer & McGuire, Winchester

Sarah G. Buitrago
Wolcott Rivers Gates, Virginia Beach

Cynthia Lynne Chaing
Chaing Anders, Virginia Beach

Peter V. Chiusano
Abrons Chiusano & Sceviour, Virginia Beach

Julie M. Cillo
Owen & Owens, Midlothian

David Rust Clarke
Blankingship & Keith, Fairfax

Richard J. Colten
Blankingship & Keith, Fairfax

Mary G. Commander
Commander Law, Norfolk

Joseph A. Condo
Offit Kurman, Tysons

Deanna D. Cook
Deanna D. Cook PC, Glen Allen

James Ray Cottrell
Cottrell Fletcher & Cottrell, Alexandria

Catherine S. Croft
Farrell & Croft, Manassas

Kristina Cruz
Odin Feldman Pittleman, Reston

Julie Hottle Day
Culin, Sharp, Autry & Day, Fairfax

Dawn DeBoer
DeBoerSouth, Richmond

David G. DeFazio
Friedman Law Firm, Chesterfield County

Kyung “Kathryn” Dickerson
SmolenPlevy, Tysons

Lawrence D. Diehl
Barnes & Diehl, Richmond

Jessica H. Dixon
Resilience Law Group, Virginia Beach

Laura C. Dove
Mullett Dove & Bradley Family Law, Arlington County

James A. Evans
James A. Evans, Attorney at Law, Virginia Beach

Michael S. Ewing
Stiles Ewing Powers, Henrico County

Kathleen Latham Farrell
Farrell & Croft, Manassas

William Fitzhugh
Rosen & Fitzhugh, Richmond

Lynn Fletcher
Lynn Fletcher, Attorney at Law, Arlington County

Sherry A. Fox
Fox Family Formation, Ashland

Melanie Friend
Cowan Gates, Richmond

Mahlon G. “Bud” Funk Jr.
Hirschler Fleischer, Richmond

Richard E. Garriott Jr.
Garriott Maurer, Virginia Beach

Julie Curran Gerock
Maddox & Gerock, Falls Church

David Ginsberg
Cooper Ginsberg Gray, Fairfax

Sarah G. Goding
Select Law Partners, Fairfax

Brittany Furr Gordon
Steidle & Gordon Attorneys at Law, Roanoke

Tashina M. Gorgone
Maddox & Gerock, Falls Church

Daniel L. Gray
Cooper Ginsberg Gray, Fairfax

Carolyn M. Grimes
Wade Grimes Friedman Meinken & Leischner, Alexandria

Ameet I. Habib
Wolcott Rivers Gates, Virginia Beach

Virginia C. Haizlip
McCandlish Lillard, Fairfax

Robert L. Harris Jr.
Barnes & Diehl, Richmond

Charles D. Hatley
Melone Hatley, Virginia Beach

Sandra L. Havrilak
Blankingship & Keith, Fairfax

Lynn E. Hawkins
Bean Kinney & Korman,Arlington County

Brian M. Hirsch
Hirsch & Ehlenberger, Reston

Sarah W. Houck
Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black, Lynchburg

Mary Wilkins Hunt
Family Law Associates of Richmond, Richmond

Elizabeth B. Hurd
Dunton, Simmons & Dunton, White Stone

Kristen Konrad Johnstone
Johnstone Law, Roanoke

Brian H. Jones
Barnes & Diehl, Richmond

Naveed Kalantar
Garriott Maurer, Virginia Beach

Julia E. Keller
Keller Law Group, Virginia Beach

Cynthia King
Melone Hatley, Virginia Beach

Rebecca Bricken Kinsel
Protorae Law, Tysons

Taylor N. Klauza
Bean Kinney & Korman, Arlington County

Shannon L. Kroeger
Family First Law Group, Alexandria

Carolé Collier Krogmann
Masterman Krogmann, McLean

Kristen Kugel
Cooper Ginsberg Gray, Fairfax

Christian M. Lapham
Bean Kinney & Korman, Arlington County

Kara Lee
Lee Lopez Law, Arlington County

Harris W. Leiner
Friedman Law Firm, Chesterfield County

Jessica L. Leischner
Wade Grimes Friedman Meinken & Leischner, Alexandria

Bretta Z. Lewis
Wolcott Rivers Gates, Virginia Beach

Richard Lewis Locke
Locke Family Law, Richmond

Ann N. Luu
Kelly Byrnes & Danker, Fairfax

Linh H. Ly
Pesner Altmiller Melnick DeMers & Steele, Tysons

Erika E. MacCormac
Winslow, McCurry & MacCormac, Midlothian

Christopher Macturk
Evolution Divorce & Family Law, Richmond

Katharine Maddox
Maddox & Gerock, Falls Church

Reeves W. Mahoney
Mahoney Richmond Thurston, Virginia Beach

Besianne Tavss Maiden
Tavss Fletcher, Norfolk

Patrick L. Maurer
Garriott Maurer, Virginia Beach

Michael C. May
May Law, Fairfax

Jennifer McCammon
Bean Kinney & Korman, Arlington County

Britney McPheron
Bowen Ten Long & Bal, Richmond

Rebecca Melone
Melone Hatley, Virginia Beach

Tatiana E. Mendez
Ernest Law Group, Virginia Beach

Player B. Michelsen
Stiles Ewing Powers, Henrico County

Heather Scott Miller
Sevila, Saunders, Huddleston & White, Leesburg

Lindsay Jefferies Mohler
Troxell Leigh, Leesburg

Sarah E. Morris
Morris Williams, Norfolk

Jennifer Mullett
Mullett Dove & Bradley Family Law, Arlington County

Mary Napier
BoykoNapier, Richmond

Laurie Forbes Neff
Next Chapter Family Law and Mediation, Fairfax

Vania M. O’Keefe
Morris, Crawford & Currin, Chesapeake

Nathan J. Olson
Cooper Ginsberg Gray, Fairfax

Mary Burkey Owens
Owen & Owens, Midlothian

Robert W. Partin
Friedman Law Firm, Chesterfield County

Corrynn Jessica Peters
Phillips & Peters, Norfolk

Kimberly H. Phillips
Phillips & Peters, Norfolk

Sarah A. Piper
Hicks Crandall Juhl, Fairfax

Aaron Pomeranz
Parks Zeigler, Chesapeake

Sonya L. Powell
Powell Radomsky, Fairfax

Kelly A. Powers
Miles & Stockbridge, Washington, D.C.

Joy Lee Price
Caskie & Frost, Lynchburg

Dianya Pu
McCandlish Lillard, Fairfax

Colleen M. Quinn
Quinn Law Centers, Richmond

Cynthia Marie Radomsky
Powell Radomsky, Fairfax

Seth J. Ragosta
Flora Pettit, Charlottesville

Kimberlee Harris Ramsey
Florance Gordon Brown, Richmond

Steven L. Raynor
Raynor & Farmer, Charlottesville

Andrew T. Richmond
Mahoney Richmond Thurston, Virginia Beach

Rachel Robinson
Berard Robinson, Leesburg

Janipher Winkfield Robinson
Robinson & Greene, Richmond

Anne L. Roddy
Barnes & Diehl, Richmond

Brooke Copeland Rosen
Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black, Roanoke

Rachel Erlich Rubinstein
The Geller Law Group, Fairfax

Philip Russo
Philip L. Russo Jr. PC, Virginia Beach

Craig W. Sampson
Barnes & Diehl, Richmond

Sara Leiner Schuler
Law Office of Sara Leiner Schuler, Fairfax

Jill C. Seiferth
Bean Kinney & Korman, Arlington County

Maria Simon
Geller Law Group, Fairfax

Victor S. Skaff III
Glenn Robinson Cathey Memmer & Skaff , Roanoke

Stephanie Jean Smith
Cooper Ginsberg Gray, Fairfax

Briana A. Stevens
Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver, Harrisonburg

Andrea R. Stiles
Stiles Ewing Powers, Henrico County

Nicole M. Thurston
Mahoney Richmond Thurston, Virginia Beach

Jessica N. Trotman
Mahoney Richmond Thurston, Virginia Beach

Jim Whitus
Melone Hatley, Virginia Beach

Leslie A. Williams
Morris Williams, Norfolk

Gwen Massie Wind
Stiles Ewing Powers, Henrico County

Shelly F. Wood
Parks Zeigler, Virginia Beach

Alexandra D. Wood
Shupert Chaing, Virginia Beach

Clayton A. Worthington
Stiles Ewing Powers, Henrico County

Julia A. Yolles
Blankingship & Keith, Fairfax

David M. Zangrilli
Odin Feldman Pittleman, Reston

Brandon H. Zeigler
Parks Zeigler, Virginia Beach

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. 

Legal Elite 2023: Environmental Law

Candace Ali Blydenburgh
McGuireWoods, Richmond

Brian L. Buniva
B.L. Buniva Strategic Advisor, Richmond

Clayton T. Burns
Dominion Energy, Richmond

Patrick A. Genzler
Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black, Norfolk

David B. Graham
Kaufman & Canoles, Williamsburg

Helen Hart
Norfolk Southern, Atlanta

Lisa Spickler Ivins
Hirschler Fleischer, Richmond

Harry M. “Pete” Johnson III
Hunton Andrews Kurth, Richmond

Dan J. Jordanger
Hunton Andrews Kurth, Richmond

John M. Lain
Wire Gill, Richmond

James T. Lang
Pender & Coward, Virginia Beach

Stewart Leeth
Smithfield Foods, Smithfield

Channing J. Martin
Williams Mullen, Richmond

David B. Oakley
Poole Brooke Plumlee, Virginia Beach

Bryan S. Peeples
Pender & Coward, Virginia Beach

J. Bryan Plumlee
Poole Brooke Plumlee, Virginia Beach

Henry R. “Speaker” Pollard V
Williams Mullen, Richmond

Brooks M. Smith
Troutman Pepper, Richmond

Heather Nixon Stevenson
McGuireWoods, Richmond

Daniel C. Summerlin III
Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black, Roanoke

David H. Sump
Willcox & Savage, Norfolk

James A. Thornhill
Wire Gill, Richmond

Timothy O. Trant II
Kaufman & Canoles, Newport News, Williamsburg

Dennis H. Treacy
Reed Smith, Richmond

Maxwell H. Wiegard
Miles & Stockbridge, Richmond

Andrea W. Wortzel
Troutman Pepper, Richmond

Check out the rest of the 2023 Legal Elite. 

Legal Elite 2023: Elder Law Q&A

Title: Owner and founding attorney

Other legal specialties: Estate planning

Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of South Florida; law degree, Washington and Lee University

Family: Spouse, Dan; children Janine Howe and James Leitner; grandchildren Audrey, 8, and Carys, 6

Career mentors: Roger D. Groot, Washington and Lee School of Law; attorneys Linda Suzzanne Griffin and John Flora

Hobbies: Reading, biking, playing piano and spending time with my granddaughters

When did you know you wanted to be an attorney? I got my first job in a law office when I was in high school. The attorney I was working for encouraged me to go to law school, but I decided to go to paralegal school instead. After 15 years of working as a paralegal in many different areas, I was fortunate enough to work for an estate planning attorney who was an incredible mentor, so not only did I know I wanted to be an attorney, but I also knew I wanted to be an estate planner.

What’s the trickiest aspect of elder law? I think the most challenging aspect of elder law, which also makes it the most rewarding, is having honest and difficult conversations with clients about their health and their finances. Clients who seek out the guidance of an elder law attorney need our legal expertise, but they also need our care and compassion.

What’s the biggest misconception about elder law and estate planning? Many people believe that estate planning is only for wealthy individuals. The reality is that having a comprehensive and up-to-date plan for incapacity and death is important for everyone to ensure their wishes are carried out regarding their assets, health care decisions and caring for their loved ones. Elder law, despite the name, is not only for older individuals.

Check out the rest of the 2023 Legal Elite. 

Legal Elite 2023: Business Law Q&A

Title: Managing partner

Other legal specialties: Corporate law

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Loyola University Chicago; master’s in American history, University of Maryland; law degree, University of Richmond

Family: In July, I became a grandmother! Husband, Kenny Cossaboon; daughter Annie, spouse, Josh, and grandson James; daughter Sydney; daughter Abby and spouse, Clay; son Joe and spouse, Casie; son Kevin.

Career mentors: Kenny Cossaboon has helped me learn to be a CEO. Claire Guthrie Gastañaga taught me how to listen and helped me understand that I’m not in this alone. Dale Mullen believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Heather Hormel Miller eased the loneliness I felt while practicing solo during DL’s early years and helped me keep going. Peri Pardo makes me want to be the person she thinks I am.

Fan of: After years of dreaming, in 2020, Kenny and I bought 163 acres of raw land in West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands, 30 minutes north of Monterey. We live there about 50% of the time in a 240-square-foot “shabin” and work out of Dunlap Law’s Monterey office. We’re working with architect Mark Spangler on the design of our retirement home, which will nestle into the landscape and capture the western views over the Allegheny Mountains.

Your firm specializes in serving small businesses. Why did you choose that niche? In 2015, when I left McGuireWoods and started Dunlap Law, I tried several different practice areas, but I kept coming back to small business and corporate law. It is a natural fit, thanks to my first career as a high school government teacher. 

One of your firm’s specialties is cannabis law. How are you counseling clients on this, given the current freeze on Virginia’s retail market? There are cannabis-adjacent business opportunities for savvy entrepreneurs, and every business needs to have its fundamentals buttoned up.

Check out the rest of the 2023 Legal Elite. 

Legal Elite 2023: Environmental Law Q&A

Title: Partner

Other legal specialties: I have been practicing environmental law since joining the Environmental Protection Agency in 1972. It’s the sole field in which I have specialized over the years.

Education: Bachelor’s degree and law degree, Louisiana State University

Family: I have been happily married to my wife, Linda, for 52 years. We have two children, Owen, a therapist in Malibu, and Mary, a surge officer in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Career mentors: Judge Richard Cudahy, U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit

Hobbies: Literature, travel

First legal job: Defense counsel in the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir

Bingeworthy TV show: “Band of Brothers”

When did you know you wanted to be an attorney? During my third year of engineering

What do you love most about environmental law? The collegiality of environmental attorneys working together to accomplish a common goal while representing private parties involved in Superfund cases

What’s the most challenging thing about environmental law right now? In the field of Superfund, achieving an agreement among the various parties on how to allocate the damages/cleanup costs among the parties

Check out the rest of the 2023 Legal Elite.