“Leaders in the Law” is Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s signature event. VLW honors an annual class of lawyers who are setting the standard for other lawyers.
Leaders’ accomplishments include outstanding contributions to the practice of law in Virginia, significant achievements through the practice of law, leadership in improving the justice system and important contributions to Virginia’s legal community and/or the community at large.
The “Up & Coming Lawyers” program recognizes attorneys who, in their first 10 years of practice, have been making a name for themselves and displaying the determination and accomplishments that establish them as leaders of the future.
Every year we look forward to celebrating our honorees who are Leaders in the Law and Up & Coming Lawyers. But the current requirements of social distancing don’t permit us to come together safely in person. Therefore, we will host this year’s Leaders in the Law/Up & Coming Lawyers celebration as a COVID-compliant virtual event.
Thursday, Oct. 22
6:00 p.m.
Virtual event
2020 honorees announced
The Class of 2020 “Leaders in the Law” are:
Judge (ret.) Jonathan M. Apgar, Lawrence Law Firm, Roanoke
Sean P. Byrne, Byrne Legal Group, Richmond
David W. Clarke, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, Richmond
Stephen Cobb, Troutman Pepper, Richmond
Lacey U. Conn, Thomas, Thomas & Hafer, Fairfax
G. Rex Flynn Jr., Flynn Law Firm, Arlington
Jennifer M. Fox, Barnes & Diehl, Richmond
Elizabeth L. Gray, McCandlish Lillard, Fairfax
W. William Gust, Gentry Locke, Roanoke
Jonathan P. Harmon, McGuireWoods, Richmond
Stephen T. Harper, Reinhardt Davis & Harper, Richmond
Nicole J. Harrell, Kaufman & Canoles, Norfolk
James G. Hurley Jr., Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, Norfolk
Stacey Rose Harris, DiMuroGinsberg, Alexandria
Macel H. Janoschka, Frith Anderson + Peake, Roanoke
Lawrence A. Katz, Hirschler, Fairfax
Mark C. Leffler, Boleman Law Firm, Virginia Beach
Richard H. Ottinger, Vandeventer Black, Norfolk
Susan M. Pesner, Pesner, Altmiller, Melnick & DeMers, Fairfax
Craig L. Rascoe, Williams Mullen, Richmond
Catherine M. Reese, ReeseLaw, Fairfax
Bruce H. Russell II, Bruce H Russell II PC, Lebanon
Robert J. Stoney, Blankingship & Keith, Fairfax
Derrick L. Walker, Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen, Richmond
Kedrick N. Whitmore, Venable LLP, Tysons
Thomas M. Wolf, Miles & Stockbridge, Richmond
Class of 2020 Up & Coming Attorneys:
John G. Baker, Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, Norfolk
Kevin Biniazan, Breit Cantor Grana Buckner, Virginia Beach
Nicole L. Brenner, Reed Smith, Richmond
Jennifer L. Eaton, Vandeventer Black, Norfolk
Kyle R. Elliott, Ogletree Deakins, Richmond
Latosha M. Ellis, Hunton Andrews Kurth, Washington, DC
Shemeka C. Hankins, Invictus Law, Virginia Beach
Julie D. Hoffmeister, Troutman Pepper, Richmond
Laura May Hooe, Moran Reeves Conn, Richmond
Sarah C. Jessee, Lewis Brisbois, Roanoke
Jennifer Ligon, Williams Mullen, Richmond
Clarissa K. Pintado, Fiske Law Group, Alexandria
Jonathan D. Puvak, Gentry Locke, Roanoke
Rodolfo R. “Rudy” Remigio, Office of the Attorney General, Richmond
Emily C. Russell, Chesterfield County Attorney’s Office, Chesterfield
Victoria Walker, VA Board of Veterans Appeals, Washington, DC
Jennifer Wheeler, Lafayette, Ayers & Whitlock, Glen Allen
Wes B. Witmeyer, Witmeyer Law Firm, Ashland
Rebecca Wolozin, Legal Aid Justice Center, Falls Church
These honorees were celebrated at a virtual reception on Oct. 22.
Each honoree also was profiled in a special supplement inserted into Virginia Lawyers Weekly in October.