The 24th edition of the Virginia Business Legal Elite

Launched in cooperation with the Virginia Bar Association in 2000, Virginia Business’ Legal Elite polls lawyers licensed to practice in Virginia each year, asking them to identify which of their peers are the top attorneys across 21 categories of legal specialties.

In compiling the Legal Elite, Virginia Business contacted more than 14,000 attorneys and more than 50 law firms, directing them to a balloting website that was available only during the annual voting period. Virginia Business contracted with Colorado-based media research and analytics firm DataJoe to conduct balloting.

This year’s Legal Elite categories include a total of 1,530 lawyers, 29.6% of the 5,174 attorneys who were nominated by their peers this year. Attorneys cast 1,359 ballots, making 23,885 separate votes across all 21 legal specialty categories. Virginia Business’ editors chose a representative from each legal category to highlight in a brief Q&A profile.

To better reflect the changing legal landscape, Virginia Business has added a new, 21st specialty category for Intellectual Property, separating the practice from the revamped Cybersecurity/Data Privacy/Technology category.

Additionally, the 18 attorneys who have appeared in all 24 editions are recognized separately. Ten are from Central Virginia, while five are based in Hampton Roads and three are in Northern Virginia. Two firms are well-represented in this list of 24-year honorees, with three attorneys each. Willcox & Savage has Allan G. Donn, William M. Furr and Thomas G. Johnson Jr. Williams Mullen also has three longtime honorees: William D. Bayliss and Calvin W. “Woody” Fowler Jr., who are based in Richmond, and Thomas R. Frantz, the firm’s chairman emeritus, in Virginia Beach.

Going the distance: The 18 lawyers who have made the list every year since 2000

‘National powerhouse’: McGuireWoods grows while maintaining tight-knit culture

Click on category to see complete list and profile.

• Administrative/Government/Legislative
  • Vishwa B. Link, McGuireWoods, Richmond
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • The Hon. Catherine C. Hammond (ret.), Juridical Solutions, Richmond
• Appellate Law
  • Christopher Holinger, Davis Law, Chesapeake

• Bankruptcy/Creditors’ Rights
  • Xue Connelly, Wade Grimes Friedman Meinken & Leischner, Alexandria

• Business Law
  • Tricia Dunlap, Dunlap Law, Richmond

• Civil Litigation
  • Terrence L. Graves, Sands Anderson, Richmond

• Construction Law
  • Christopher R. Tate, Flora Pettit, Charlottesville

• Corporate Counsel
  • Thomas F. Quinn, Odin Feldman Pittleman, Reston 

• Criminal Law
  • R. Penn Bain, Sevila, Saunders, Huddleston & White, Leesburg
• Cybersecurity/Data Privacy/Technology
  • Darius K. Davenport, Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, Norfolk

• Elder Law
  • Cathy Leitner, Leitner Law, Vienna
    

• Environmental Law
  • David B. Graham, Kaufman & Canoles, Williamsburg     

• Family Law/Domestic Relations
  • Briana Stevens, Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver, Harrisonburg

• Health Law
  • Elizabeth Heddleston, Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black, Roanoke

• Immigration Law
  • Eileen Patricia Blessinger, Blessinger Legal, Falls Church

• Intellectual Property
  • John M. Erbach, Spotts Fain, Richmond

• Labor/Employment Law
  • Jane Lemley, Harrison & Johnston, Winchester

• Legal Services/Pro Bono
  • Arlene Beckerman, Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center, Fairfax

• Real Estate/Land Use
  • Ehsan Sanaie, Reed Smith, Tysons

• Taxes/Estates/Trusts
  • Stephanie C. Smith, Midgett Preti Olansen, Virginia Beach

• Young Lawyer
  • Angela London, Odin Feldman Pittleman, Reston