VICTOR O. CARDWELL

A native of Lynchburg, Victor Cardwell retained his position as chair of the Woods Rogers board in 2022 when the firm merged with Norfolk’s Vandeventer Black. The same year, Cardwell became the first Black president of the Virginia Bar Association.

At the state’s fifth largest law firm, which shortened its name from Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black back to the original Woods Rogers last year, Cardwell practices labor and employment law.

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 such as workforce reductions, unfair competition and union-organizing campaigns. Additionally, Cardwell counsels higher education clients on matters that include the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and Title IX.

Before joining Woods Rogers in 1991, Cardwell worked as a deputy associate chief counsel with the U.S. Department of Labor Benefits Review Board.

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

A graduate of the University of Virginia, Cardwell earned his law degree at Washington and Lee University. He sits on the board of trustees for the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.