Virginia Lawyers Weekly VA Lawyers Weekly
Michael Vanderpool
Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian PC
Founder, Of Counsel
Manassas
Education / Certifications:
Penn State University, Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
JD, Georgetown University Law School, Case & Note Editor for The Tax Lawyer Law Review
What is the field or practice area for which you are best known?
Business law, land use and zoning, real estate development
Please describe a signature case, deal or transaction.
I was honored to handle the sale of Colgan Air, the Manassas airline founded by the late Virginia State Sen. Charles J. Colgan. The purchase included contracts with Continental, United and US Airways that broaden the buyer’s domestic reach.
Please briefly mention up to three additional important cases, deals or transactions.
I find it satisfying to help entrepreneurs monetize their life work and guide them through a complex transaction that are often a once in a lifetime event for these business owners. These are critical transactions to get done correctly. This was the case for the M&A in 2016 for a regional construction supplier.
I had the privilege of assisting a hospital as it transformed from a local hospital into a significant regional health system. I represented the growing hospital in numerous areas of the law, playing a small part in the bigger goal of providing more complete and better-quality health care to the community.
In the same vein, I often get the pleasure of watching companies grow as I help them develop their business from a handful of like-minded entrepreneurs to a larger, thriving organization. I represented a local government contractor with a variety of legal issues as they grew into a significant enterprise over the years.
Describe your approach to working with clients.
Growing up in a business-minded family and then building five regional businesses myself, I look at matters through the eyes of my clients. I always tell my clients I am a businessperson first and my service is the practice of law.
What is the best career advice you’ve received?
When dealing with complex matters, always zoom in on the details and zoom out to look at the strategy.
What developments in business law do you expect to see in 2021?
Obviously, we are going to see changes being driven by the pandemic and the shift of the political environment. I am already seeing a number of clients dealing with PPP loans, employment law changes, and unique liability issues due to COVID-19. Also, I believe racial equity and social justice will continue to work its way more and more through the fabric of business as we see legislation on this topic increase. Lastly, changes to the tax laws will also have a major impact on the business community.
