The 23rd edition of the Virginia Business Legal Elite

Legal Elite recognizes top Virginia attorneys across 20 specialties

Published November 29, 2022 by Richard Foster

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 20 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, which was available only during the annual voting period.

This year’s Legal Elite categories include a total of 1,431 lawyers, 25.3% of the 5,649 attorneys who were nominated by their peers this year. Attorneys cast 1,670 ballots, making 28,474 separate votes across all 20 legal specialty categories.

Virginia Business also profiles a representative from each legal category.

The 18 attorneys who have appeared in all 23 editions are listed. Ten are from Central Virginia, while five are based in Hampton Roads and three are in Northern Virginia. Notably, this year saw two long-term honorees fall off the list due to their retirements: Conrad M. Shumadine with Willcox & Savage PC in Norfolk and Ralph M. Tener with McCandlish Lillard PC in Fairfax.

Two firms are well-represented in this list of 23-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 long-term 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.  

The long haul: The 18 lawyers who have made the list every year since 2000

Smart growth: At 100, Gentry Locke sticks to its ideals

Click on category to see complete list and profile.

• Alternative Dispute Resolution

  • Mary G. Commander, Commander Law, Norfolk

• Appellate Law
  • F. Nash Bilisoly IV, Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC, Norfolk

• Bankruptcy/Creditors’ Rights
  • Veronica Brown-Moseley, Boleman Law Firm PC, Richmond

• Business Law
  • James K. Cowan Jr., CowanPerry PC, Blacksburg

• Civil Litigation
  • Richard Dean Holzheimer Jr., McGuireWoods LLP, Tysons

• Construction Law
  • Scott W. Kowalski, Petty, Livingston, Dawson & Richards PC, Lynchburg

• Corporate Counsel
  • Charles W. “Charlie” Payne Jr., Hirschler Fleischer, Fredericksburg 

• Criminal Law
  • Michael Anthony Robusto, Slipow & Robusto PC, Virginia Beach

• Elder Law
  • Yahne Miorini, Miorini Law PLLC, Vienna
    

• Environmental Law
  • Lisa Spickler Goodwin, Hirschler Fleischer, Richmond     

• Family Law/Domestic Relations
  • Luis A. Abreu, Luis A. Abreu PLLC, Danville

• Health Law
  • Michelle L. Warden, Wimbish Gentile McCray & Roeber, Richmond

• Immigration Law
  • Ofelia L. Calderón, Calderón Seguin PLC, Fairfax

• Intellectual Property/ Information Technology
  • Andrew Harry, Xsensus LLP, Alexandria

• Labor/Employment Law
  • Elizabeth M. Ebanks, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC, Richmond

• Legal Services/Pro Bono
  • Chidi I. James, Blankingship & Keith PC, Fairfax

• Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative
  • Cliona Mary Robb, ThompsonMcMullan PC, Richmond

• Real Estate/Land Use
  • Lisa Anne Hawkins, Hawkins Law PLC, Bridgewater

• Taxes/Estates/Trusts
  • Alvi Aggarwal, Yates Campbell & Hoeg LLP, Fairfax

• Young Lawyer
  • Tyler Rosá, Williams Mullen, Virginia Beach 

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