Cover Story
War and peace
2020 Virginia Business Person of the Year: Phebe Novakovic leads world’s third-largest defense contractor
Like a lot of bosses in spring and summer 2020, Phebe Novakovic confronted challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. It threatened lives and economies. Managers weren’t sure when some customers would be able to pay their bills. Employees were anxious; clients were understandably skittish. With travel shutting down, in-person sales demonstrations were curtailed. But unlike most
Opinion
The Mailroom
A time for unity
Published
Thanks for inviting me to participate in the 2020 Virginia Business Political Roundtable. It was a very stimulating and thought-provoking discussion. One loud message came through following the Nov. 3 election — America is a nation divided. The results showed that the path forward must address that divide, or we will never achieve the unity
OurView: How did it get so late so soon?
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On the subject of time, the much-beloved children’s book author Dr. Seuss once wrote, “How did it get so late so soon?” With December here, that’s an almost perfect description of 2020. How did it get so late, so soon? Most of the past 8 to 9 months have been characterized by an almost immutable
From This Issue
Not the end of the world
Economic downturns bring opportunities for investment bargains
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In mid-March, Stephan Cassaday was absorbing Florida sun rays while bicycling near his vacation home when a radio news update on pandemic-related market volatility caused him to pull to the side of the road. Seated on a park bench, Cassaday, chairman and CEO of McLean-based Cassaday & Co. Inc. wealth managers, rang his team in
100 People to Meet in 2021
Our annual list of Virginians you should get to know
Published
As we prepare to enter a fresh calendar year marked by our new normal of remote work, Zoom meetings, face masks and social distancing, our need for connectedness and socializing remains as strong as ever. But because it may still be a while before we return to rubber-chicken dinners, networking receptions and cocktail parties, let
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The 21st edition of the Virginia Business Legal Elite
Legal Elite recognizes top Virginia attorneys across 20 specialties
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Launched in cooperation with the Virginia Bar Association, the Legal Elite polls lawyers licensed to practice in Virginia each year, asking them to identify which of their peers are the top attorneys in a variety of legal specialties. Virginia Business’ Legal Elite has 20 categories of legal specialties, double the number featured on the first
2020 Legal Elite — Taxes/Estates/Trusts Profile
Christine Nguyen Piersall, Williams Mullen, Norfolk
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Title: Partner/chair of Estate Planning: Private Client & Fiduciary Services Practice Other legal specialties: Business succession, commercial real estate Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Virginia; law degree, University of Richmond Spouse: Von L. “Trey” Piersall III Children: Liliane, 14; Benjamin, 12 First job as a lawyer: Associate at Cooper, Spong & Davis PC Fan of:
2020 Legal Elite — Real Estate/Land Use Profile
Clark H. Worthy, Gentry Locke Attorneys, Roanoke
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Title: Partner Other legal specialties: General business practitioner Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Virginia; law degree, Washington & Lee School of Law Spouse: Mary “Kate” Robey Worthy Children: C. Hatcher Worthy Jr.; Alexandra A. Worthy; Reagan R. Brown First job as a lawyer: Clerk for the Hon. H. Emory Widner Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals
2020 Legal Elite — Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative Profile
Daniel C. Summerlin III, Woods Rogers PLC, Richmond, Roanoke
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Title: President, principal Other legal specialties: Employment law Birthplace: Chapel Hill, North Carolina Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; law degree, William & Mary Spouse: Laura Summerlin Children: Taylor, 20; Cabell, 20; Callie, 19; Tye, 18; Caroline, 17; and Lane, 15 First job as a lawyer: Woods Rogers PLC — I
2020 Legal Elite — Legal Services/Pro Bono Profile
Tameeka Montgomery Williams, Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia, Norfolk
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Title: Director of pro bono Birthplace: Philadelphia Education: Bachelor’s degree, Old Dominion University; law degree, Regent University School of Law Spouse: Elliott E. Williams Children: Tia, Tamia and Ethan First job as a lawyer: Staff attorney at Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia Fan of: Philadelphia Eagles Recently read books: “Talking to Strangers: What We
2020 Legal Elite — Labor/Employment Law Profile
David A. Kushner, Willcox & Savage PC, Norfolk
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Title: Partner and chair of Labor and Employment Practice Group Other legal specialties: Fair housing defense, trade secret litigation Education: Bachelor’s degree and law degree, University of Virginia Spouse: Nichole A. Kushner Children: Sloane, 8; Bayla, 4 Fan of: Tony Bennett (the U.Va. basketball coach, although the singer is pretty great too) Recently read book:
Legal Elite 2020 — Intellectual Property/Information Technology Profile
Janet P. Peyton, McGuireWoods, Richmond
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Title: Partner Other legal specialties: Data privacy and security Birthplace: Alexandria Education: Bachelor’s degree, Duke University; law degree, Tulane Law School Spouse: Christopher W. Francoise Children: Sophie, L.T. and Will Fan of: Duke basketball Recently read book: “Between the World and Me,” by Ta-Nehisi Coates Hobbies or pastimes: I’m a voracious reader. Favorite vacation spot:
2020 Legal Elite — Immigration Law Profile
Christine Lockhart Poarch, Poarch Thompson Law, Salem
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Title: Managing attorney Other legal specialties: Adoption Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of St. Thomas; law degree, South Texas College of Law Spouse: Joey Poarch Children: Zella, 15; Sidney, 13; and Bella Luz, 12 First job as a lawyer: Perdue & Clore, medical malpractice firm in Houston Fan of: Creative nonfiction, fried green tomatoes, folk rock
