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Virginia State Bar selects 2022 president-elect
The Virginia State Bar has chosen Richmond‘s Stephanie Grana, a partner with the law firm of Breit Cantor Grana Buckner, as its president-elect for 2022-23. A personal injury litigator, Grana won nearly 55% of the vote over David Neumeyer of the Virginia Legal Aid Society in Lynchburg. Grana will take over presidency of th[...]
Former Deputy Commerce Secretary Angela Navarro to be SCC commissioner
Former Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Angela Navarro will be appointed to fill the State Corporation Commission’s open commissioner slot, Gov. Ralph Northam said Wednesday. An attorney, Navarro is expected to be appointed in early January, the governor said. Although the governor can appoint commissioners, Navarro [...]
2020 Legal Elite — Civil Litigation Profile
Title: Director Other legal specialties: Workers’ compensation Birthplace: Altoona, Pennsylvania Education: Bachelor’s degree, Penn State University; law degree, University of Richmond Spouse: Kenneth G. Hutcheson Children: Twin boys, Mercer and Harrison, 11 First job as a lawyer: Law clerk for the Hon. John F. Daffr[...]
2020 Legal Elite — Young Lawyer Profile
Title: Labor and employment associate Other legal specialties: Commercial and civil litigation, professional liability defense Education: Bachelor’s degree, Christopher Newport University; law degree, Regent University Spouse: Teneisha C. Pierce Children: Micah E. Sharp-Pierce; David L. Pierce; Arianna C.A. Pierce; Ian A. [...]
Smooth sailing
Small business | Mark Baumgartner, CFO Pender & Coward PC, Norfolk It’s safe to say Mark Baumgartner knows the ins and outs of Virginia Beach-based law firm Pender & Coward PC, where he has served as chief financial officer since 2017. Prior to becoming the firm’s CFO, Baumgartner had 20 years of experience w[...]
John Marshall Foundation announces name change
The John Marshall Foundation, which raises funds for education about the rule of law under the Constitution, will now go by the John Marshall Center for Constitutional History & Civics, the nonprofit announced Friday. “The new name seeks to convey to the public that everyone is invited, that people lie at the center of its[...]
Va. Supreme Court denies Roanoke courts’ plan to resume jury trials
The Virginia Supreme Court has rejected a plan by Roanoke Valley’s courts to resume jury trials during the pandemic. Chief Judge David Carson of the 23rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia, which includes Roanoke, Roanoke County and Salem courts, said during an Oct. 13 Roanoke Bar Association Meeting that the Virginia Supreme Court rejected the proposal […]
Law
FARHAD AGHDAMI MANAGING PARTNER, RICHMOND OFFICE; WILLIAMS MULLEN, RICHMOND In 1999, Aghdami joined Williams Mullen and became managing partner at the firm’s Richmond office in 2015. Focusing on wealth transfer tax, business succession and income tax planning, he counsels high net-worth individuals and families, middle-market business owners, institutional fiduciaries, family offices and charitable entities. As […][...]
![Lisa A. Bertini, owner of Virginia Beach-based Bertini Law PC, was forced to furlough her associate and receptionist due to the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. “It was unsettling,” she says. “I was worried about [paying] rent and meeting payroll.” Photo by Mark Rhodes](https://virginiabusiness.com/files/1/2020/08/Bertini-VaBus-Sept2020-5010.jpg)
Law and disorder
The coronavirus pandemic shutdowns led some Virginia law firms to furlough employees and cut pay. Will an onslaught of COVID-19-related litigation be enough to prevent another wave of cutbacks? Bill Van Buren, president and chairman of Norfolk-based Kaufman & Canoles PC, estimates that staffing levels at law firms throughout[...]
California PPE supplier sues Chain Bridge Bank
A California medical supply company is suing McLean-based Chain Bridge Bank, alleging the bank was responsible for destroying the company’s reputation and making it lose a $600 million state contract for personal protective equipment. In the lawsuit, Blue Flame Medical claims that Chain Bridge Bank told California official[...]
South Hampton Roads Bar Association names president
Vandeventer Black LLP attorney Michael D. Pierce has been named president of the South Hampton Roads Bar Association (SHRBA), the Norfolk-based law firm announced Tuesday. The minority bar association for the Hampton Roads area, SHRBA helps members develop professional skills and knowledge for their profession. Pierce joined the[...]
Troutman Sanders completes merger with Pepper Hamilton
After postponing its original April 1 merger date due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Atlanta-based law firm Troutman Sanders LLP and Philadelphia-based Pepper Hamilton LLP announced Wednesday they have merged to become Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP (Troutman Pepper). Among Troutman Pepper’s 23 nationwide offices, the R[...]
