W

hat makes a great lawyer? While impeccable communication skills and high intelligence are a part of the equation, truly great lawyers also earn a respect that

follows them out of the courtroom and into the community. Top Lawyers of Greater Lynchburg is the result of a comprehensive

peer-to-peer survey, facilitated by DataJoe Research Company. (See methodology and disclaimers on page 40.) Read on to see who lawyers themselves recommend in 23 specialties.

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FEATURE

PROMOTING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE

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THE LIST

TOP AREA LAWYERS IN 23 SPECIALTIES

VOTED ONE OF LYNCHBURG’S TOP REAL ESTATE LAWYERS FOR THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

PRACTICE AREAS Real Estate Closings & Related Matters Estate Planning & Administration Business Law • Civil Litigation

WWW.JJWLAWVA.COM 434-237-6458 20580 Timberlake Road Lynchburg, VA 24502

Leighton S. Houck Theodore J. Craddock Joy Lee Price

Serving Lynchburg and Central Virginia since 1896

C

askie & Frost is a full-service law firm serving the people and businesses of Lynchburg and Central Virginia for more than 120 years. From its inception, Caskie & Frost established, and has maintained, a reputation for excellence and a tradition of professional leadership and superior client service, offering a broad range of quality legal services. Business Law • Civil Litigation • Divorce & Family Law Personal Injury • Criminal Law • Wills & Estates • Immigration

Mark J. Peake John R. Alford, Jr. Pavlina B. Dirom F.E. “Tripp” Isenhour, III William E. Phillips Phyllis C. Spence Alexandra M. Smith

4 3 4 - 8 4 6-2 7 31 • 2 3 06 ATHERHOLT R O AD, LYNCHBUR G, VA 2 4 5 0 1 • C A SKIEFR OS T.COM

Tailored Legal Solutions • Wills & Powers of Attorney • Uncontested Divorce • Criminal Defense • Traffic Offenses • Real Estate

434-319-5101 | www.pwilloughbylaw.com F

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Lynchburg Business Ad 2022

2022

Take the

L.E.A.D on DEI

IT’S GOOD BUSINESS BY PATIC E HOLLA N D

D

uring the social unrest following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) gained the attention of many businesses. Employers turned their attention to ways they could effect change in their workplace. Many organizations rushed to make statements about race and social injustice. They established DEI committees to address their own diversity (or lack thereof) and inclusivity. However, some employers quickly discovered that promoting DEI in the workplace, while aspirational, was not an easy task. 2023 MARKET REPORT ISSUE

LynchburgBusinessMag.com

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BEGINNING IN 2020, MORE VIRGINIA EMPLOYERS THAN EVER SOUGHT LEGAL ADVICE AND GUIDANCE ON HOW TO DISCUSS AND PROMOTE DEI IN THE WORKPLACE. MANY LAWYERS WERE— AND STILL ARE —UNSURE OF HOW TO ADVISE CLIENTS ON HOW TO PROMOTE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE. IS THE CONCEPT OF DEI EVEN A LEGAL ISSUE? Lawyers are clear on their duty to advise clients of the law. At a minimum, they must

in and implements DEI thought-based standards. Lawyers also should make sure their firm or practice has a DEI checklist which must include the following: (1) EEO and anti-discriminatory written policies; (2) A commitment to conduct regular workplace trainings on issues of harassment, discrimination, and DEI; and (3) Creation of a DEI committee, team, or task force consisting of employees of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Once these checklist items are established,

nondiscrimination laws. Is this enough? Likely, no.

diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplace

Professional Conduct identifies a lawyer as a “public citizen” who must seek the improvement of the law and knowledge of the law beyond its use for clients. Most importantly, the Rules require lawyers to be “mindful of deficiencies in the administration of justice.” Therefore, lawyers are required to do more than simply advise clients of the law. They must actively engage in eliminating “deficiencies” and injustices in the administration of justice. It is not an irony that lawyers are called counselors. But before lawyers can advise clients 2023 MARKET REPORT ISSUE

ensure their law firm or practice actively engages

legal counsel can help their clients promote

minimum. The Preamble to the Virginia Rules of

LynchburgBusinessMag.com

must get their own house in order. Lawyers should

ensure that clients comply with state and federal Good lawyers are called to do more than the

34

on how to promote DEI in the workplace, they

by encouraging them to L.E.A.D.:

LISTEN. Legal counsel should encourage clients to listen to their employees by conducting DEI-focused and structured ways to get feedback. This could include holding brown bag or companysponsored lunches or virtual/in-person meetings on DEI. Another option is to launch surveys to gain understanding of an employee’s diverse background and culture and to learn of any barriers the employee believes they are facing in the workplace. If company leadership does not feel qualified to lead the program, they should consider investing in an outside facilitator to assist them.

Elder Law | Medicaid Planning | VA Benefits Planning | Asset Protection | Long-Term Care Qualification Powers of Attorney | Wills & Trusts | Sophisticated Estate Planning | Special Needs Trusts

Why You Need an Elder Law Attorney With the average cost of a private room in a nursing home in Virginia surpassing $9,200 a month and rising, Virginia Elder Law can help you protect your hardearned life savings and safeguard you and your loved ones. Please don’t try this with a “Do it Yourself” kit.

You need a specialist to help you with questions like: • How can I best protect my assets? • Can I qualify for governmental assistance? • How can we afford (or avoid) the Nursing Home? • What’s the right plan for me and my family?

5 Things an Elder Law Attorney Can Help With: 1. Medicaid Long-Term Care Qualification 2. Preserving and Protecting Your Assets 3. Special Needs Trusts for the Disabled 4. Specially Designed Estate Documents 5. Guardianships and Conservatorships

of Greater Lynchburg

Keith Orgera

2021

Ron Feinman

We are happy to be a founding sponsor of SHARE Greater Lynchburg! SHAREGreaterLynchburg.org

offers our community an interactive directory of local nonprofits where they can find hundreds of ways to donate, volunteer, and shop from wish lists.

VIRGINIA ELDER LAW

The Law Offices of Ron Feinman

434-528-0696

801 Main Street, Suite 702 | Lynchburg, VA virginia-elderlaw.com

434-832-7030 | 14785 FOREST RD, FOREST VA 24551 | PDLAW.US

BEST OF BUSINESS

AWARDS 2021

EDUCATE. Lawyers should help clients, from C-suite executives to hourly employees, understand

term goals for accomplishing DEI. Help clients develop

the importance and benefits of promoting DEI in the

strategies for increasing and promoting diversity so

workplace. Ensure your clients update their employee

their leadership reflects the diverse workforce and

handbooks to include EEO and nondiscriminatory

talent it seeks to recruit and retain. DEI-focused

policies and conduct annual workplace trainings on

leaders understand and appreciate the need for a

DEI. These trainings should include topics such as the

balance between diversity of people/culture and

importance of DEI, civility in the workplace, and the

diversity of thought.

effects of microaggressions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patice L. Holland is an employment attorney in Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black’s Roanoke office, where she focuses on employment litigation defense and employment investigations. She Chairs her firm’s DEI Task Force and serves on the Virginia Bar Association’s DEI Committee. She works as a DEI-facilitator and frequently serves as a speaker/trainer on DEI, discrimination, and harassment in the workplace.

vision statement and establish both short- and long-

ADVOCATE. Advising clients to invest in their employees by promoting DEI in the workplace will yield innovation, productivity, and healthier and happier employees. These will, in turn, lead to increased revenue for your client. Companies and community partners who invest in DEI like to do business with other DEI-focused partners. In fact, many DEI-focused companies only actively recruit and sustain relationships with companies who also actively engage in DEI practices. Because DEI is no longer an option, but a standard, lawyers must ensure their clients do not miss business opportunities by ignoring the issue.

DEVELOP. Advise clients to develop reasonable

THERE IS NO MAGIC RECIPE FOR PROMOTING DEI IN THE WORKPLACE. YOU SIMPLY MUST GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY BY MIXING IN THE FUNDAMENTAL INGREDIENTS. IMPLEMENTING DEI PRACTICES IN THE WORKPLACE PRODUCES BETTER EMPLOYEES AND COLLABORATION, WHICH WILL YIELD BETTER PRODUCTS AND RESULTS FOR YOUR CLIENT. Promoting DEI in the workplace is an investment in your own firm or practice, your clients, and their employees. Legal counsel must take the L.E.A.D. on

goals and an action plan for implementing DEI in the

promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the

workplace. Clients also should create a mission and

workplace—it’s good business. 2023 MARKET REPORT ISSUE

LynchburgBusinessMag.com

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SA N Z O N E &

WHEN ’ IT S YOUR LIFE, ’ DON T TAKE

Joseph A. Sanzone Joseph A. Sanzone is a lawyer who tries cases every day in courts all across the Commonwealth of Virginia. When the situation requires an appeal, he has filed and won appeals in every appellate court, which govern the cases where his cases are tried, including the United States, Supreme Court. His cases have been featured on television and in the newspapers, including the TV series “48 Hours.”

BAKER, L.L.P.

Philip B. Baker

Joseph R. Sanzone II

Philip B. Baker has handled thousands of trials during his career in state, federal, and administrative courts, since 1984. He joined the firm in 1992 after learning trial practice as the Assistant Commonwealth Attorney in Bedford County from 1984-1992.

In 2013, Ross joined Sanzone & Baker and has since argued cases from the Supreme Court of Virginia to DPOR. Ross handles traffic, misdemeanor, and felony criminal cases from Louisa to Halifax. He has provided invaluable legal representation in the realm of corporate compliance, with regards to FLSA, ADAA, and OSHA compliance, and has successfully concluded EEOC and DPOR investigations. Ross is experienced in defending Title IX respondents under a variety of situations and is very familiar with the very complex and intersectional nature of Title IX cases. Finally, Ross has a strong civil practice in consumer litigation and knows how to hold merchants and sellers accountable. Whether simple or complex, he will give your case the individualized attention it deserves.

His litigation practice includes criminal, traffic, general civil and workplace litigation. He has a concentration in workers’ compensation injury, death, and loss of employment, including defective products in the workplace. However, as a certified Mediator, he takes a special interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for clients who wish to avoid a courtroom process (including confidential collaborative practice work and interest-based negotiations, in a private setting).

1106 Commerce Street, Suite 3A, Lynchburg, VA 24504 (434) 846-4691 sanzoneandbakerlaw.com

2023

THE LIST Summary. To create the list, Lynchburg Business contracted DataJoe Research to facilitate an online peer-voting process and Internet research process. DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers. To create the list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-voting process. We paired this with an Internet research process to identify success characteristics. DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had, at time of review, a current, active license status with the appropriate state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a lawyer's current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that lawyer was excluded from the list. In addition, we checked available public sources to identify lawyers disciplined for an infraction by the state regulatory board. These entities were excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to Lynchburg Business for its final review and adjustments. Final note. We recognize that there are many good lawyers who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the region. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding lawyers in the region. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination and Internet research campaign are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective lawyers may not appear on the list. Disclaimers. DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe. Questions? For research/methodology questions, contact the research team at [email protected].

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Congratulations! We are exceptionally pleased to join in recognizing: Glenn W. Pulley: Business Law Herschel V. Keller: Construction Law Andrew O. Gay: Construction Law as among Lynchburg Business Magazine’s 2023 Top Lawyers. Serving the Commonwealth. Gentry Locke is poised to continue its legacy of great legal work throughout Virginia and beyond from offices in Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Richmond.

801 Main Street, 11th Floor | Lynchburg, VA 24504 Lynchburg | Roanoke | Richmond | gentrylocke.com

ADOPTION LAW

CIVIL LAW LITIGATION

Stephen E Dunn Forest

Rhonda Overstreet Overstreet Sloan PLLC Lynchburg

Paul J Feinman Petty Livingston Dawson & Richards PC Lynchburg

Betsy H Phillips Rustburg

Andrew O Gay Gentry Locke Attorneys Lynchburg

A David Hawkins Overbey Hawkins Wright & Vance PLLC Lynchburg

Herschel V Keller Gentry Locke Attorneys Lynchburg

David Wright Lynchburg

F.E. "Tripp" Isenhour III Caskie & Frost Lynchburg

ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION

BUSINESS LAW

G. Edgar Dawson III Petty Livingston Dawson & Richards PC Lynchburg

John R Alford Jr Caskie & Frost Lynchburg

Chad A Mooney Petty Livingston Dawson & Richards PC Lynchburg

Frank West Morrison Phillips Morrison & Ferrell LLP Lynchburg

S. Henry Creasy IV Lynchburg

Eric J Sorenson Jr Lynchburg

W Tracey Shaw Lynchburg

David Cox Lynchburg

David M Corry Lynchburg

Robert C Wood III Lynchburg

James R Richards Petty Livingston Dawson & Richards PC Lynchburg

BANKRUPTCY AND WORKOUT

CORPORATE COUNSEL

John W Francisco Lynchburg

Glenn W Pulley Gentry Locke Attorneys Lynchburg

INJURY & WORKERS’ COMP

J Barrett Lucy Lynchburg Andrew P Pearson Petty Livingston Dawson & Richards PC Lynchburg

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

Terrance J Dunn Lynchburg

BANKING AND FINANCIAL

FAMILY LAW

Michael Sloan Overstreet Sloan PLLC Lynchburg

Scott W Kowalski Petty Livingston Dawson & Richards PC Lynchburg

CONSTRUCTION

CORPORATE FINANCE MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Mark A Burgin Petty Livingston Dawson & Richards PC Lynchburg

Theodore J Craddock Caskie & Frost Lynchburg

TRAFFIC/CRIMINAL

BUSINESS

WILLS TRUSTS

Client Focused. Trial Tested.

of Greater Lynchburg

2020

of Greater Lynchburg

2017/18

OverstreetSloan.com | 434-525-8579 300 Enterprise Drive, Suite D, Forest, VA 24551

2023 MARKET REPORT ISSUE

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CRIMINAL DEFENSE Mark B Arthur Mark B Arthur PC Lynchburg

M Paul Valois Lynchburg Pamela W Willoughby P. Willoughby Law Lynchburg

Aaron Boone Lynchburg

ELDER LAW

Chuck Felmlee Lynchburg

Albie Armfield Overstreet Sloan PLLC Lynchburg

James G Hunter III Lynchburg Aubrey J Rosser Jr Aubrey J Rosser Jr Attorney At Law Altavista Joseph R Sanzone II Sanzone & Baker LLP Lynchburg

Ron Feinman The Law Offices Of Ron Feinman Lynchburg

FAMILY LAW David B Bice The Bice Law Group Lynchburg

Joseph A Sanzone Sanzone & Baker LLP Lynchburg David W Shreve Altavista Gary L Straw Forest

Amy Miles Kowalski Petty Livingston Dawson & Richards PC Lynchburg Brian R Moore Lynchburg Joy Lee Price Caskie & Frost Lynchburg Lisa L Schenkel Lynchburg Alisabeth Smith Bedford Craig P Tiller Forest

GENERAL PRACTICE Thomas S Leebrick Lynchburg

INSURANCE William E Phillips Caskie & Frost Lynchburg

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS Andrew Connors Darkhorse Attorneys Lynchburg

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT R. Patrick Bolling Lynchburg Gary Mitchell Coates Lynchburg John E Falcone Petty Livingston Dawson & Richards PC Lynchburg

Jim D Childress III Rustburg

Seth E Twery Lynchburg

Sarah W Houck Lynchburg

IMMIGRATION LAW

PERSONAL INJURY

Pavlina B Dirom Caskie & Frost Lynchburg

Rebecca M Angel Overbey Hawkins Wright & Vance PLLC Lynchburg

Accomplished. Experienced. Decisive. Serving Lynchburg, VA and Surrounding Counties Area Since 1984. PRACTICE AREAS Divorce • Family Law • Child Custody Adoption • Guardianship & Conservatorship (434) 528-1500 • www.TheBiceLawGroup.com

Pictured: David B. Bice & Tami Tice Jacob

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SPECIALIZING IN ESTATE PLANNING Wills and Trusts

Tax Planning

Estate Administration Probate

Fiduciary Services Including Executor, Administrator, and Trustee

daviesanddavies.com | (434) 528-5500 | 4935 Boonsboro Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503

Scott W. Kowalski

Chad A. Mooney

Andrew P. Pearson

G. Edgar Dawson, III

James R. Richards

John E. Falcone

Paul J. Feinman

Amy Miles Kowalski

Mark A. Burgin

Luke J. Malloy, III

Petty, Livingston, Dawson & Richards continues to proudly serve the greater Lynchburg community by resolving sophisticated legal issues with innovative solutions.

Telephone: (434) 846-2768 | Facsimile: (434) 847-0141 pldrlaw.com • 925 Main St., Suite 300, Lynchburg, VA 24504

The Lynchburg law firm of Petty, Livingston, Dawson, & Richards, PC is pleased to welcome Jason W. Todd, Jr. as an associate attorney in its Litigation Group. Jason has lived in the Lynchburg area since 2003 and he received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Liberty University. After law school, he spent several years at the Lynchburg Public Defender’s Office and from there went on to serve as a prosecutor in the Commonwealth’s Attorney offices of Appomattox County and then Campbell County, reaching the level of Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney in Campbell County. He brings a wealth of trial experience to PLDR, and he will focus primarily on civil litigation, personal injury, and criminal and traffic law.

REAL ESTATE

Jordan B Davies Lynchburg James B Feinman Law Offices Of James B Feinman Lynchburg Luke J Malloy III Petty Livingston Dawson & Richards PC Lynchburg Brandon Osterbind Lynchburg

M Kevin Bailey Appomattox Leighton S Houck Caskie & Frost Lynchburg Whitaker R Johnston Jones Johnston & White PC Lynchburg

Kelly Osterbind Lynchburg

Hugh J M Jones III Jones Johnston & White PC Lynchburg

Mark J Peake Caskie & Frost Lynchburg

Hannah Lester Patel & Dalrymple PLLC Lynchburg

Thomas L Phillips Jr Phillips Morrison & Ferrell LLP Lynchburg

Michael P Lovell Lynchburg

Randall J Trost Lynchburg

Samuel Franklin Vance IV Overbey Hawkins Wright & Vance PLLC Lynchburg Brinson C White Jones Johnston & White PC Lynchburg

PMF

Phillips • Morrison • Ferrell LLP

Thomas L. Phillips, Jr.

Frank West Morrison

Frank A Wright Jr Overbey Hawkins Wright & Vance PLLC Lynchburg

Sara Pope Sara Pope Law Lynchburg

SECURITIES LAW

Jake H Snow Davies And Davies Law Lynchburg

Corey S Davis Lynchburg

WILLS TRUST AND ESTATES Zachary S Agee Lynchburg Bernard C Baldwin III Lynchburg Peter Davies Davies & Davies Law Firm Lynchburg Jonathan Davies Davies & Davies Law Firm Lynchburg

WORKER'S COMPENSATION B Patrick Agnew Lynchburg Philip B Baker Sanzone & Baker LLP Lynchburg Hannah Bowie Lynchburg Esther S McGuinn Lynchburg Jaleh K Slominski Lynchburg

Sam Patel Patel & Dalrymple PLLC Lynchburg

Consistently Voted The Best

Gentry R.P. Ferrell

Personal Injury, Family Law, Litigation, Business, Wills, Estates, Commercial Real Estate, Mediation and Collaboration

Over 150 Years of Combined Experience Lynchburg: 434.384.0946 | Wards Rd.: 434.821.5022 www.pmjf.com Members of the firm recognized individually by:

Overbeylaw.cOm | 434-332-5155 rustburg | lynchburg

2023 MARKET REPORT ISSUE

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