Ten WRVB Attorneys Named “Ones to Watch”

When Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black (WRVB) began operating as a merged firm in July 2022, the combination of two prestigious law firms expanded services for clients and created new growth opportunities for young attorneys. When discussing the merger, Victor Cardwell, WRVB’s Chairman of the Board of Directors often said the merged firm will become a destination for Virginia’s next generation of attorneys.

In the first legal rankings released since the merger, Best Lawyers in America® highlighted the young legal talent WRVB is developing. Ten WRVB attorneys in four cities and eighteen unique practice areas were named to the annual list of “Ones to Watch.”

Attorneys Patrick Bolling and Liz Heddleston were listed for the time in Labor and Employment and Health Law, respectively. The full list of honorees by region and practice area is below:

Roanoke, VA

Zachary S. Agee
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Trusts and Estates

Susan E. B. Cook
Intellectual Property Law

Elizabeth Barry Heddleston
Health Care Law

Justin E. Simmons
Commercial Litigation
Litigation - Bankruptcy

Lynchburg, VA

R. Patrick Bolling
Labor and Employment Law - Management
Litigation – Labor and Employment

Richmond, VA

Pietro F. Sanitate
Insurance Law
Workers' Compensation Law - Employers

Leah M. Stiegler
Labor and Employment Law - Management
Litigation - Labor and Employment

C. Walker Terry
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Civil Rights Law
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Norfolk, VA

W. Thomas Chappell
Appellate Practice

James B. Rixey III
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Corporate Law
Real Estate Law

Other acknowledgments given to WRVB attorneys include listings on Best Lawyers in America and “Lawyer of the Year.”

Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive evaluation. Attorneys are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to ensure they are in current practice and in "good standing." Lawyers who have been in private practice for 5-9 years are eligible to be nominated for the “Ones to Watch” list. Lawyers are not required nor allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.