Virginia

Since 1926, Richmond-based mid-sized shop Christian & Barton has been offering a broad spectrum of legal services, and its civil litigation capacity in particular is said to be "one of the area's finest." The firm represents Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, government entities, non-profit organizations and individuals. On the strength of unanimously glowing peer review, the firm leaps to "highly recommended" status in this edition of Benchmark. "These guys are just great lawyers all around," testifies one local competitor.

Craig Merritt handles commercial, antitrust and intellectual property cases, particularly media companies and their insurers in defamation, freedom of information and access issues, prepublication review and reporters' privilege matters. "I associate him name with being quality," says a competitor. Warren David Harless, who prefers to go by David, heads the firm's employment practice group. "David Harless is very good very on briefs and very good on his feet," says a peer. Another asserts, "David is just a pleasure to work with. You know where you stand with him - he understands that you don't play games, you just defend the client. Sounds simple, right? Yet so many don't get this. David spares you the runraound."

Established in Roanoke in 1923, Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore works to develop relationships with clients that allow them to anticipate their litigation needs. Rudy Austin has represented general contractors on construction claims, numerous self-insured interstate motor carriers and motor carrier fleet insurers in third-party trucking cases, and patent holders and alleged patent infringers in trials of patent infringement issues. S.D. Roberts Moore has represented plaintiffs in product liability cases ending in settlements or verdicts up to $13 million. David Paxton represents employers on claims of discrimination, harassment and retaliation; senior executives in disputes with companies; and college coaches against public universities on breach of contract claims.

LeClairRyan lays claim to perhaps the most expansive footprint in Virginia with eight offices across the Commonwealth. Founded in 1988 as a venture capital firm, it originally farmed out litigation matters, which now account for two-thirds of its overall capacity. Clients call LeClair Ryan a "boots-on-the-ground type firm," distinguishing it from other, more "academic" law firms. Peers and clients continue to generate enthusiasm for the firm's practical application of litigation acumen. A client attests, "The one item that stands out for our organization is their ability to combine legal advice with practical business experience and knowledge. This combination has assisted us in balancing legal decisions with the business impact." Another offers, "The lawyers there are sharp and with-it, they do not fooly-dooly around and waste my time and money. Their answers are thoughtful and clear."

Michael Holm of the Alexandria office is a veteran trial lawyer whose practice focuses on representing businesses in bet-the-company and unfair business practices cases. This past year, he successfully represented a health club when a venture capitalist stole the company's secrets and built his own club from the ground up. The judge awarded the client almost $3.5 million in attorney's fees and damages, and the case is currently on appeal. Commercial generalist trial lawyer Thomas Wolf in the Richmond office is championed by a client for his "to-the-point and fast representation, with efficient use of time."

Founded in 1989, Richmond boutique Morris & Morris has since grown to 10 lawyers. The team handles a variety of civil litigation matters, primarily on a local level and with a noted specialty in insurance defense. "Morris & Morris is a great firm that competes only for Virginia-based business and has a solid book of it. They are a great alternative to the Richmond firms who have more national ambitions and charge accordingly," voices a peer. The firm has forged somewhat of a niche in the area of transportation and trucking litigation, including regulatory, workers' compensation and negligence claims. A client attests that, when dealing with their specialties, "Morris & Morris provides the best possible service at reasonable cost." Managing partner Cameron "Cam" Beck is a noted standout in the transportation and product liability departments. Michael Ward and Matthew Green meanwhile focus on a range of commercial matters, which often but not exclusively contain a product liability slant. "I've known these guys for a while and they are as good as anybody at trying cases, and they have the hometown advantage with the judges, a great benefit."

Established in 1895, Willcox & Savage is noted for its commercial, employment, and especially product liability practices, particularly with regard to asbestos-related matters. The firm has 31 litigators in two Virginia locations, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, with an impressive 20 of these claiming first-chair trial experience. "In that area of Virginia, they are at the top. If I had a product liability or tort case in the southern part of the state I would refer it to them," confirms a peer. Representative clients include Salmons, Norfolk Southern Railway and Potomac Hospital. Bruce Bishop handles asbestos defense, transportation, trucking, aviation and environmental litigation in state and federal courts throughout the country, including a defense verdict in the first asbestos personal injury involving exposure to a building occupant rather than industrial exposure to be tried to verdict. Noted for her labor and employment practice, Susan Blackman also handles business immigration matters. Gary Bryant heads the firm's litigation group, focusing on commercial and environmental litigation. Bryant currently represents Salmons, a large grain dealer, on unfair and deceptive practices charges brought against First Citizens Bank. Salmons contends the bank made misrepresentations to convince Salmons to provide a blanket lien on assets.

Conrad Shumadine specializes in antitrust and media matters. He has represented McClatchy Newspapers, News & Observer Publishing and The Anchorage Times. William Furr chairs the labor and employment group and practices in both state and federal courts and before the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry and the Virginia Employment Commission. "Billy is smart, efficient, and effective," says a client. "His oral and written work is both high-quality. He is a native of Norfolk and is well connected in the legal community in Virginia, which is helpful in a smaller city such as Norfolk. He relates well to lawyers and management."