100 People to Meet in 2026: Casemakers

While these legal leaders bring a deep bench of experience, they also are helping shape the future of practicing law in Virginia.

LONNIE D. ‘CHIP’ NUNLEY III

PARTNER, HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH, RICHMOND

This year, Lonnie D. “Chip” Nunley III celebrated both his 40th year of practicing law at Hunton Andrews Kurth as well as becoming president-elect of the Virginia Bar Association, the state’s largest and oldest statewide voluntary bar organization, dating back to 1888.

A Washington and Lee University graduate who earned his law degree from the University of Virginia, Nunley represents civil litigation clients in state and federal courts and handles regulatory matters before the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

In 1994, Nunley was part of a team representing Philip Morris Cos. in a multibillion-dollar defamation case after ABC reported that the tobacco industry had added extra nicotine to its products. Ultimately, ABC settled and ran a retraction during “Monday Night Football.”

A native of Bristol, Virginia, Nunley is a long-standing member of the firm’s pro bono committee and is the partner in charge of Hunton’s Church Hill pro bono office.

CHRIS SMYTHE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KAUFMAN & CANOLES, NORFOLK

Chris Smythe became executive director of Kaufman & Canoles in March, overseeing day-to-day operations of the Norfolk-headquartered law firm.

He began his career as an attorney before transitioning to the business side. He previously held roles as vice president of content at TotalVid.com and director of new ventures for Landmark Communications. The opportunity to combine his legal and business skill sets at Kaufman & Canoles was an opportunity he “couldn’t pass up.”

Smythe is focused on positioning the 215-person firm to be at the forefront of Virginia’s legal market and guiding it through rapid changes in technology — especially leveraging emerging tools like artificial intelligence responsibly.

“AI is changing everything, and it’ll change the practice of law as well, and figuring out how to do that correctly is a big part of my job,” he says.

SUSAN BRADFORD TARLEY

PARTNER, TARLEY ROBINSON, WILLIAMSBURG

In March, Susan Bradford Tarley became the Virginia State Bar‘s 2025-26 president-elect. Established in 1938 by the General Assembly, the State Bar regulates the legal profession in the commonwealth.

Tarley, who earned her law degree from George Mason University, has practiced law for 37 years. A partner at Williamsburg’s Tarley Robinson, she works with her husband, John Tarley Jr., and Neal J. Robinson. Her practice focuses on community associations, financing and development, commercial and residential real estate transactions, business matters and creditors’ rights.

A Pennsylvania native, Tarley also has served for 18 years as a substitute judge for the 9th Judicial Circuit and is an adjunct professor at William & Mary Law School.

In January, Tarley was one of 26 lawyers inducted into the Virginia Law Foundation’s Fellows Class of 2025, recognizing attorneys with a “steadfast commitment to strengthening their communities across the commonwealth and to upholding the rule of law.”

Click here to return to the 100 People to Meet in 2026 list