The 23rd edition of the Virginia Business Legal Elite

Legal Elite recognizes top Virginia attorneys across 20 specialties

Richard Foster


Launched in cooperation with the Virginia Bar Association in 2000, Virginia Business’ Legal Elite polls lawyers licensed to practice in Virginia each year, asking them to identify which of their peers are the top attorneys across 20 categories of legal specialties.

In compiling the Legal Elite, Virginia Business contacted more than 14,000 attorneys and more than 50 law firms, directing them to a balloting website, which was available only during the annual voting period.

This year’s Legal Elite categories include a total of 1,431 lawyers, 25.3% of the 5,649 attorneys who were nominated by their peers this year. Attorneys cast 1,670 ballots, making 28,474 separate votes across all 20 legal specialty categories.

Virginia Business also profiles a representative from each legal category.

The 18 attorneys who have appeared in all 23 editions are listed. Ten are from Central Virginia, while five are based in Hampton Roads and three are in Northern Virginia. Notably, this year saw two long-term honorees fall off the list due to their retirements: Conrad M. Shumadine with Willcox & Savage PC in Norfolk and Ralph M. Tener with McCandlish Lillard PC in Fairfax.

Two firms are well-represented in this list of 23-year honorees, with three attorneys each. Willcox & Savage has Allan G. Donn, William M. Furr and Thomas G. Johnson Jr. Williams Mullen also has three long-term honorees: William D. Bayliss and Calvin W. “Woody” Fowler Jr., who are based in Richmond, and Thomas R. Frantz, the firm’s chairman emeritus, in Virginia Beach.  

The long haul: The 18 lawyers who have made the list every year since 2000

Smart growth: At 100, Gentry Locke sticks to its ideals

Click on category to see complete list and profile.

 

 

The 23rd edition of the Virginia Business Legal Elite