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The 21st edition of the Virginia Business Legal Elite
Legal Elite recognizes top Virginia attorneys across 20 specialties
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
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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
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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
2020 Legal Elite — Health Law Profile
Peter Mellette, Mellette PC, Williamsburg
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Title: President and managing shareholder Other legal specialties: Administrative law Education: Bachelor’s degree, Dartmouth College; law degree, University of Richmond Spouse: Kerry Mellette Children: Kelsey Mellette and Margot Mellette First job as a lawyer: Associate at Crews, Hancock & Dunn Fan of: Live music Hobbies or pastimes: Swimming, watching tennis, reading Career mentors: Dr. Peter
2020 Legal Elite — Family Law/ Domestic Relations Profile
Debra C. Albiston, Kaufman & Canoles PC, Virginia Beach
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Title: Of counsel Birthplace: Washington, D.C. Education: Bachelor’s degree, George Mason University; law degree, William & Mary Spouse: George T. Albiston Children: Chris, 28, and Ryan, 26 First job as a lawyer: Weinberg & Stein in Norfolk Fan of: Summers at Lake Gaston and U2 music Recently read book: “The Reckoning,” by John Grisham Hobbies