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June 23rd, 2026 | 10:00 AM

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VLW names 2024’s Leaders in the Law, Up & Coming Lawyers

Virginia Lawyers Weekly//September 3, 2024//

VLW names 2024’s Leaders in the Law, Up & Coming Lawyers

Virginia Lawyers Weekly//September 3, 2024//

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Virginia Lawyers Weekly is pleased to announce the Class of 2024 Leaders in the Law and Up & Coming Lawyers.

“Leaders in the Law” is an annual award that celebrates those lawyers who are setting the standard for other lawyers.

Leaders’ accomplishments include outstanding contributions to the practice of law in the commonwealth, significant achievements through the practice of law, leadership in improving the justice system, acting as role models and mentors, and making essential contributions to Virginia’s legal community and/or the community at large.

Our “Up & Coming Lawyers” award recognizes attorneys who have excelled in the profession and are standouts among their peers — all in their first 10 years of practice. These lawyers have been making a name for themselves and display the determination and accomplishments that establish them as leaders of the future.

We look forward to honoring these stellar practitioners at our signature event. This year’s Leaders in the Law/Up & Coming Lawyers celebration will be held at The John Marshall in downtown Richmond on Oct. 17.

The members of the Class of 2024 Leaders in the Law Up & Coming Lawyers can be found below.

Leaders in the Law

  • Orran Brown, BrownGreer, Richmond
  • Gerald C. Canaan II, Byrne Canaan, Richmond
  • Guy C. Crowgey, Crowgey & Associates, Richmond
  • Jason R. Davis, Kaufman & Canoles, Norfolk
  • Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Davis, Whiteford Taylor & Preston, Richmond
  • Brian C. Drummond, Whitestone Young, Fairfax
  • Maya M. Eckstein, Hunton Andrews Kurth, Richmond
  • Craig J. Franco, Odin Feldman & Pittleman, Reston
  • Mark P. Graham, Rees Broome, Tysons Corner
  • Erin M. Harrigan, Gentry Locke Attorneys, Richmond
  • Erin Jewell, Harty Jewell, Newport News
  • Nick Johnson, Berenzweig Leonard, McLean
  • Adam Harris Lotkin, Rutter Mills, Norfolk
  • Bradley Marshall, Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, Manassas
  • Bryan L. Meadows, Marks & Harrison, Fredericksburg
  • Melinda Merk, McCandlish Lillard, Fairfax
  • David Panzer, Fluet, Tysons
  • Charles W. Payne Jr., Hirschler, Fredericksburg
  • Janet P. Peyton, McGuireWoods, Richmond
  • Amanda Plant, Geller Law Group, Fairfax
  • Stewart R. Pollock, Moran Reeves Conn, Richmond
  • Juli M. Porto, Blankingship & Keith, Fairfax
  • Marc Purintun, Williams Mullen, Richmond
  • Sarah Robb, Sarah Robb Law, Richmond
  • W. Ryan Snow, Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, Norfolk
  • Leslie Weber Hoffman, Family Law & Mediation Center, Fairfax
  • Maxwell H. Wiegard, Miles & Stockbridge, Richmond

Up & Coming

  • Samy W. Abdallah, Berenzweig Leonard, McLean
  • Peter S. Askin, ThompsonMcMullan, Richmond
  • Brandy Brown, Dunlap Law, Richmond
  • Rachel Cary, Whiteford Taylor & Preston, Richmond
  • Josue M. Casanova, Josue M. Casanova, Esq., Hampton Roads
  • Melissa Dragone, Masterman Krogmann, McLean
  • Andreá N. Dunlap, Bischoff Martingayle, Norfolk
  • Kevin S. Elliker, Hunton Andrews Kurth, Richmond
  • Danielle B. Kent, Allen Allen Allen & Allen, Mechanicsville
  • Kasey Hoare Michelle, Spotts Fain, Richmond
  • Sarah Nelson, Phillips & Peters, Norfolk
  • Aneta Nikolic, Blankingship & Keith, Fairfax
  • Noah S. Oberlander, Reed Smith, Richmond
  • Ann C. Petros, America’s Credit Unions, Arlington`
  • Meghan Phillips, Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, Manassas
  • Tyler J. Rosá, Williams Mullen, Virginia Beach
  • Julie A. Simantiras, Geller Law Group, Fairfax
  • Emily A. Spence, Fluet, Tysons
  • Ryan J. Starks, Gentry Locke Attorneys, Richmond
  • Emily Strak, The Law Firm of Carlton F. Bennett, Virginia Beach
  • Christopher Stock, Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders, Richmond
  • Mary Margaret Thacker, Sharp Litigation, Harrisonburg
  • Glenn B. Williams, Frith Anderson + Peake, Roanoke
  • Mario E. Williams, Reese Law, Fairfax

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