0 - 2017 - Vandeventer Black LLP

Twenty-two Vandeventer Black Attorneys Recognized as Top Lawyers

Written by Adam S. Rafal on 12/14/2017. Posted in Firm News.

Twenty-two attorneys from Norfolk-based business and litigation law firm Vandeventer Black have been awarded Coastal Virginia’s Top Lawyers of 2017-2018 by Coastal Virginia Magazine and CoVa Biz Magazine. Candidates for this award are selected by their peers and nominated for exemplifying excellence in their specialty. The lawyers being recognized are:

The lawyers receiving these honors are:

Attorneys for Non-Profit

Anita O. Poston

Aviation, Admiralty, Maritime and Transportation Law

Edward J. Powers

Appellate Law

Dustin M. Paul

Arbitration and Mediation

William E. Franczek

Banking and Financial Law

Bryant C. McGann

Business Law

Christopher Ambrosio

Civil Trial

Anne G. Bibeau
Richard H. Ottinger

Commercial Litigation

Richard H. Ottinger

Construction Law

James R. Harvey
Neil S. Lowenstein

Environmental and Land Use

Patrick A. Genzler

Government and Administrative

Daniel R. Weckstein

Health Care

Anita O. Poston

International Law

Anthony J. Mazzeo

Intellectual Property Rights

Jane D. Tucker

Labor and Employment

Dean T. Buckius

Real Estate

Richard J. Crouch

Tax Law

Geoffrey G. Hemphill
Patrick W. Herman

Will, Trusts, and Estates

Patrick W. Herman

Workers’ Compensation

Adam S. Rafal
Brian L. Sykes
Kimberley H. Timms

Other National Awards

Previous recognitions for Vandeventer Black attorneys include: Virginia’s Business Legal Elite, Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year and Virginia Super Lawyers, among others. Additionally, the firm’s attorneys are active within various local and charitable organizations.

Vandeventer Black Attorneys Recognized as 2017 Legal Elite

Written by Vandeventer Black LLP on 12/14/2017. Posted in Firm News.

Virginia Business Magazine recently released its Virginia Business ‘Legal Elite’ winner’s list for 2017, which includes Vandeventer Black attorneys. Eligible attorneys were nominated by their peers for this recognition.

“We are proud of all of the attorneys awarded in this year’s edition,” said Michael Sterling, Managing Partner. “This award is a reflection of their dedication to our clients and their commitment to the legal profession.”

The 24 attorneys selected are:

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Michael L. Sterling

Appellate Law: Mark C. Coberly

Business Law: Bryant C. McGann

Construction: William E. Franczek, James R. Harvey

Corporate Counsel: Richard S. Guy

Environmental Law: Patrick A. Genzler

Health Law: Mark S. Brennan and Anita O. Poston

Intellectual Property: Jane D. Tucker

Labor & Employment: Anne G. Bibeau and Dean T. Buckius

Legal Services/Pro Bono: Robert O’Donnell

Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative: Daniel R. Weckstein

Real Estate/Land Use: Christopher Ambrosio

Taxes/Estates/Trust/Elder Law: Patrick W. Herman

Young Lawyer (under 40): Jennifer L. Eaton and James B. Rixey

Previous recognitions for Vandeventer Black attorneys include Best Lawyers in America, Lawyers of the Year, CoVaBiz Top Lawyers, and Virginia Super Lawyers, among others. Additionally, the firm’s attorneys are active within various local and charitable organizations.

Vandeventer Black Vandeventer Black Vandeventer Black Vandeventer Black Vandeventer Black

Vandeventer Black LLP ranked in 2018 “Best Law Firms”

Written by Vandeventer Black LLP on 11/21/2017. Posted in Firm News.

Vandeventer Black LLP was recently recognized by the U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers in the 2018 “Best Law Firms” list. Firms included in the list are recognized for their professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.

Achieving this ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. The “Best Law Firms” designation reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading lawyers and clients in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism, and their integrity.

Sterling Sterling Sterling Sterling Sterling

Michael Sterling Selected as a Fellow in the Construction Lawyers Society of America

Written by Michael L. Sterling on 11/16/2017. Posted in Firm News.

Michael L. Sterling, Managing Partner of the Vandeventer Black law firm, was selected as a Fellow in the Construction Lawyers Society of America (CLSA). The criteria for CLSA’s Fellowship of preeminent construction lawyers is a combination of Fellow input, independent and internal research, nominations by CLSA Fellows, attorney opinions, evaluation of client selection of counsel and reviews of acknowledgment and recognition by other peer reviewing sources and associations.

Sterling was also recently invited to serve on the Virginia Chamber Legal and Regulatory Reform Institute Advisory Board. In addition, he also serves on other professional and community organization boards and committees, including the Eggleston Services Foundation Board, where he serves as the Treasurer.

He concentrates his law practice on complex projects and the resolution of disputes for international, national and local business clients with a focus on compliance and other regulatory issues. Sterling also manages the law firm’s Dispute Resolution Services and serves as an arbitrator and mediator for the American Arbitration Association (AAA), various courts and by private appointment.

Eaton Recognized as Millennial On The Move by CoVaBiz Magazine

Written by Jennifer L. Eaton on 11/09/2017. Posted in Firm News.

Vandeventer Black attorney Jennifer L. Eaton recently received the Millennials On The Move award by CoVaBiz Magazine. This recognition highlights up-and-coming young professionals who are making a difference in their work and the community of Coastal Virginia.

“We are proud of Jenny for her recognition as a Millennial On The Move, her dedicated service to the legal needs of her clients, and her consistent leadership. We appreciate Jenny’s unmistakable drive to make an impact and serve others in the Coastal Virginia community,” said Dustin M. Paul, firm Partner and Chairman of the firm’s Associate Development Committee.

Eaton is an Associate in the firm’s Litigation/Maritime Department. Her practice includes a broad range of litigation in both state and federal courts, including an active trial practice. To compliment her professional involvements, Eaton demonstrates her commitment to service by giving back to her community. She coaches Norfolk Special Olympics athletes in basketball, soccer, and track & field. She also serves on the local Special Olympics Area 2 Board. In addition to her extensive involvement with Special Olympics, Eaton also gives back in various capacities to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia where she serves on the philanthropy and Legal Food Frenzy committees.

Sterling to Serve on the Virginia Chamber Legal and Regulatory Reform Institute Advisory Board

Written by Michael L. Sterling on 11/01/2017. Posted in Firm News.

Michael L. Sterling, Managing Partner of the Vandeventer Black law firm, was recently invited to serve on the Virginia Chamber Legal and Regulatory Reform Institute (Legal Institute) Advisory Board. The Legal Institute focuses on civil justice reform in the Commonwealth.

Sterling has also served on many other professional and community organization boards and committees, including the Eggleston Services Foundation Board where he serves as the Treasurer of this local charity that focuses on finding employment opportunities and providing services to disabled adults.

He concentrates his law practice on complex projects and the resolution of disputes for international, national and local business clients with a focus on compliance and other regulatory issues. Sterling also manages the law firm’s Dispute Resolution Services, and serves as an arbitrator and mediator for the American Arbitration Association (AAA), various courts and by private appointment.

Franczek8953 Franczek8953 Franczek8953 Franczek8953 Franczek8953

William E. Franczek Elected to the American College of Construction Lawyers

Written by William E. Franczek on 10/27/2017. Posted in Firm News.

Vandeventer Black partner William (“Bill”) E. Franczek was recently elected as a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers (ACCL). The ACCL is a prestigious and elite national organization of construction lawyers who are selected by peer recognition, and who are dedicated to excellence in the specialized practice of construction law.

“This well-deserved recognition reflects highly on Bill’s knowledge of construction law, dedication to the practice of law, and interpersonal skills,” said Neil S. Lowenstein, Partner and Construction and Government Contracts Department Manager.

Franczek is a former construction civil engineer, who is now an AV® rated attorney with a practice focused on construction law, public contract law, and alternative dispute resolution. His extensive background in the construction field includes commercial building projects, highway projects, power plants, pulp and paper mills, rail projects, petrochemical facilities, airports, and marine terminals. His experience includes privately-owned projects; federal, state and local public projects, and hybrid developments such as public-private partnership projects.

Franczek has served in leadership roles in many construction trade associations, including the ABA Forum on Construction Law, the Associated General Contractors, the Builders and Contractors Exchange of Virginia, the Associated Builders and Contractors, and the Design-Build Institute of America. He is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s National and International Construction Panel for arbitrators and mediators as well as its Mega Project Panel List, from which he has served the nation as a neutral in all types of construction disputes. In addition, Bill is a Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators and has served on over 200 ADR matters both privately and for the AAA. He is also currently a member of several Dispute Resolution Boards across the country.

Being a highly-accomplished attorney, Bill has been recognized by other organizations. Including, “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business; “Senior Statesman and Eminent Practitioner” by Chambers USA; listed in “The Best Lawyers in America”, as well as a “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers; and as a “Virginia Super Lawyers” by Thompson Reuters. For more information, visit VanBlackLaw.com.

Vandeventer Black LLP hires Cybersecurity Attorney

Written by Jonathan V. Gallo on 10/25/2017. Posted in CyberSecurity & Data Privacy, Firm News.

Vandeventer Black is pleased to announce the addition of Jonathan V. Gallo to the firm’s Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Group. Gallo will concentrate his practice primarily in cybersecurity, information privacy/security, software licensing, and government contracting.

“We are excited to welcome Jonathan to our firm,” said Michael L. Sterling, Managing Partner. He will assist our clients in counseling, developing procedures to minimize cybersecurity incidents, and guide them through crisis management planning and reaction when incidents do occur.”

Before joining Vandeventer Black, Gallo practiced law primarily in state government. While in state government, he helped develop New Hampshire’s strategic plan to address cybercrime. In addition, he worked as a consultant to provide strategic planning for the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces throughout the country.

Vandeventer Black’s cybersecurity and data privacy group has experience with investigations and claims, under the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and the Virginia Computer Crimes Act, of unauthorized access to proprietary business data and systems. The firm helps companies comply with state-mandated data breach notification requirements across the country, as well as assist with compliance and data breach investigations under HIPAA, and other laws concerning data privacy.

“Today, ‘data’ is a business resource, just like labor, equipment, and capital. Virtually every business has become ‘data intensive,’ and for many businesses, their data holds significant economic value to them, their employees, and their competitors,” said Sterling.

The firm supports companies across a broad range of industries on state, federal, and international laws, in deciphering and addressing continually evolving privacy and security implications associated with such matters as mergers and acquisitions, outsourcing arrangements, government contracting, and other transactions.

O'Donnell, partner; John R. Lockard, partner; Jennifer L. Eaton, associate; W. Thomas Chappell, associate; and Dustin M. Paul, partner at Vandeventer Black LLP. O'Donnell, partner; John R. Lockard, partner; Jennifer L. Eaton, associate; W. Thomas Chappell, associate; and Dustin M. Paul, partner at Vandeventer Black LLP. O'Donnell, partner; John R. Lockard, partner; Jennifer L. Eaton, associate; W. Thomas Chappell, associate; and Dustin M. Paul, partner at Vandeventer Black LLP. O'Donnell, partner; John R. Lockard, partner; Jennifer L. Eaton, associate; W. Thomas Chappell, associate; and Dustin M. Paul, partner at Vandeventer Black LLP. O'Donnell, partner; John R. Lockard, partner; Jennifer L. Eaton, associate; W. Thomas Chappell, associate; and Dustin M. Paul, partner at Vandeventer Black LLP.

Vandeventer Black Recognized as a Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year

Written by Jennifer L. Eaton on 10/19/2017. Posted in Firm News.

Vandeventer Black LLP was recognized as Law Firm of the Year (Large Practice) by the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEV) as part of their Pro Bono Celebration & Recognition Program. The firm was selected for its outstanding contribution of time and resources which provided access to legal services for clients of LASEV.

“We are honored to receive this special award and grateful for the selfless dedication to this cause that our attorneys have displayed over the past year,” said Michael L. Sterling, Managing Partner.

Numerous Vandeventer Black attorneys were recognized for their gift of time through the Pro Bono & Private Attorney Involvement Program, including the firm’s Norfolk Pro Bono Committee members, Jennifer L. Eaton and Robert O’Donnell.

From left to right: Robert L. O’Donnell, partner; Jennifer L. Eaton, associate; W. Thomas Chappell, associate; and Dustin M. Paul, partner at Vandeventer Black LLP.

_dsc9751 _dsc9751 _dsc9751 _dsc9751 _dsc9751

Vandeventer Black Commercial Real Estate Attorney Receives Prestigious Peer Rating

Written by Richard J. Crouch on 10/10/2017. Posted in Firm News.

Vandeventer Black LLP partner Richard J. Crouch received an AV^® Preeminent^®Peer Review Rating^™from Martindale-Hubbell^®, the legal profession’s most prestigious rating service.

Crouch concentrates his law practice in business, commercial transactions, and commercial real estate matters. His business and commercial transactions practice includes commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, development, and finance. He regularly works with real estate acquisition firms, developers, property management groups, commercial tenants and lenders in the structuring and closing of commercial transactions.

Crouch has earned many recognitions for his achievements which include the CALI Excellence for the Future Awards for achievements in the study of both Antitrust and Intellectual Property Law; Virginia Business’ “Legal Elite”; Law & Politics Magazine’s Virginia “Super Lawyers” as well as “Super Lawyers Rising Stars”; and Inside Business Magazine’s “Top Forty Under Forty”. He is a Board Member of the E.V. Williams Advisory Board, TowneBank Leadership Alliance, and Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance. In addition, he is a member of Inside Business: Roaring Twenties Selection Panel, the International Council of Shopping Centers, and Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate.

The Martindale-Hubbell^® AV Preeminent^® rating is the highest possible rating for an attorney for both ethical standards and legal ability. The “AV” designation represents the pinnacle of professional excellence and achieved after an attorney has been reviewed and recommended by his/her peers, including members of the bar and the judiciary.

Year: 2017