The ‘Leaders’ Class of 2008

Virginia Lawyers Weekly is pleased to announce the Class of 2008 in the “Leaders in Law” program.

The project seeks to recognize lawyers who accomplished something significant in the past year – those who changed practice, advanced the law or improved the justice system in Virginia. These lawyers are the ones setting the standard for other lawyers.

The honorees will be feted at a reception Oct. 23 at the Bolling-Haxall House in downtown Richmond. A photo array appears on page 9.

The Class of 2008, along with their accomplishments, are:

• David Baugh. Took job as capital defender for Central Virginia.

• Mark D. Braley, Legal Services Corporation of Virginia. Sought filing fees statute to produce money for legal aid.

• Frank O. Brown Jr. Provided advice, delivered lectures on closing a practice.

• Jane Chittom, Appellate Defender. Successful efforts before Supreme Court of Virginia.

• Julie M. Cillo, Hall & Hall PLC. Work in collaborative law, bar activities including presidency of Metro Richmond Family Law Bar.

• Terrence L. Graves, Sands Anderson Marks & Miller. First African-American president of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys.

• Frank Kilgore. Community activism and environmental work.

• Gary D. LeClair, LeClairRyan. Firm growth within the past year.

• John E. Lichtenstein, Lichtenstein, Fishwick & Johnson PLC. Work with criminal bar groups, handling of high profile cases.

• Darrell Tillar Mason. Chaired Virginia State Bar mandatory insurance study committee.

• Jennifer McClellan, Verizon Corporation. Work as a member of the House of Delegates and as chair of the VSB Young Lawyers Conference.

• Steven R. Minor, Elliott, Lawson & Minor. SW Virginia Law Blog celebrated its fifth year in January.

• Wiley F. Mitchell Jr., Willcox & Savage. Pro bono work on behalf of a client in the wind farm case before the State Corporation Commission.

• David A. Oblon, Albo & Oblon. Community activities and firm development.

• W. Taylor Reveley III, College of William & Mary. Selection as the new W&M president, work on War Powers Commission.

• Carol Schrier-Polak, Bean, Kinney & Korman. Led effort to change therapist testimony statute.

• Mark E. Slaughter, Troutman Sanders LLP. Work on behalf of the Virginia Beach Bar Foundation, including organization of Law Day gala.

• Stephen M. Smith, Brain Injury Law Center. Leadership in field and work on behalf of brain injury clients.

• Rodney A. Smolla, Washington & Lee law school. Developed innovative third-year program at W&L.

• Thomas E. Spahn, McGuireWoods LLP. Chaired Virginia Bar Association Commission on Professionalism.

• Jacob P. Stroman IV, Spotsylvania County Attorney. Chaired committee that published pro bono manual for Local Government Attorneys.

• John L. Walker III, Williams Mullen. Work to establish Nuremberg courtroom at the Virginia Holocaust Museum.

• Jay M. Weinberg, Hirschler Fleischer. Work to establish Nuremberg courtroom at the Virginia Holocaust Museum.