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 Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black back to the original Woods Rogers last year.

After graduating from the University of Virginia, where he played football, Cardwell earned his law degree at Washington and Lee University.

Following graduation, he worked as deputy associate chief counsel with the U.S. Department of Labor Benefits Review Board before joining Woods Rogers in 1991.

In his practice, Cardwell advises executives and human resources managers on issues including harassment, sexual orientation and gender identity, retaliation and discrimination. He also provides guidance on topics including workforce reductions, unfair competition and union-organizing campaigns.

This year, the Virginia Law Foundation inducted Cardwell, along with 25 other lawyers, into the 2025 Fellows Class. He also was among several NAACP Roanoke Citizens of the Year Awards winners in May.

Return to the full list of this category’s recipients.