Focusing on resolving complex business disputes, Richard concentrates his law practice on commercial litigation, including intellectual property disputes, tort defense, transportation and maritime litigation, real estate disputes, and trusts and estates disputes. He is a member of the Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black (WRVB) Executive Board and works on a broad variety of governmental matters.

Richard is an experienced litigator in both state and federal court, including all stages of litigation: discovery, motions, trial, and appeal. As first chair, he has tried numerous cases to judges and juries.

His clients range from international manufacturing companies to small professional partnerships. He currently practices before the Virginia state trial and appellate courts as well as the federal trial and appellate courts of Virginia. He regularly appears in the U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Virginia and frequently acts as local counsel in high profile patent and anti-trust cases.

Richard is the immediate past president of the Virginia Bar Association.  He was  included in Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s list of “Leaders in the Law” for 2020 for 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.  Richard was also listed in Virginia Business’ “Virginia 500 – The Power List” for 2020 and 2021.  Earlier in his career, Richard received the Virginia State Bar’s prestigious R. Edwin Burnette Jr. Young Lawyer of the Year award, the Norfolk & Portsmouth Bar Association’s Walter E. Hoffman Community Service Award, and the Virginia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Sandra P. Thompson Award for outstanding and long-term service.

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