How I Made Law Firm Leadership: ‘Leaders Must Be Good Listeners,” Says Dan Summerlin of Woods Rogers

As part of Law.com’s ongoing series How I Made Law Firm Leadership, Woods Rogers President Dan Summerlin provides insight from throughout his career and shares his advice with up-and-coming law firm leaders. The Q&A also gave Dan an opportunity to reflect on our firm’s recent rebrand.

“Our 2022 merger between two historic Virginia firms, Woods Rogers and Vandeventer Black, allowed us to combine resources, determine which would work best for the firm we aspire to be, and make capital improvements in technology like our accounting platform, document management systems, and other processes that help us operate seamlessly across five offices,” Dan said in an interview with Law.com. “These resources have also required an investment in a team of talented professional staff to manage our operations. In May, we introduced a new brand and website. Our new identity reflects our focus on the future and a commitment to delivering uncommon service and value to our clients.”

Dan points to mentors throughout this career that helped equip him for his role today: “At the risk of leaving someone out, I’m particularly thankful for the mentors who guided me as an associate and young partner, including Bill Poff (who passed away 12 years ago after practicing at Woods Rogers for over 50 years ), Judge Mike Urbanski (a former member of our firm who went on to be a magistrate judge and is now a senior U.S. district judge in the Western District of Virginia), and Former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia and former Deputy Assistant Administrator of Criminal Enforcement Division USEPA) Paul Thomson. When it comes to encouraging me as a firm leader, Tom Bagby and Nick Conte were president and board chairman, respectively, before I began my term. I’m grateful for their leadership and the great spot in which they left our firm.”

Subscribers to Law.com may read Dan’s complete Q&A, including his advice to his younger self, here.