Willcox Savage

Chambers and Partners USA Guide 2024 ranks seven of our attorneys, including two attorneys recognized as Senior Statespeople, and two departments: Corporate/M&A and Real Estate. Meet our ranked attorneys: Richard L. Wasserman, Senior Statespeople, Bankruptcy/Restructuring Thomas Inglima, Corporate/M&A Joseph Allen, Up and Coming, Corporate/M&A Tim Lockhart, Intellectual Property Bruce Bishop, Product Liability & Toxic Tort Thomas Johnson jr, Senior Statespeople, Real Estate Greg Lydon, Real Estate

Congratulations to Lt. Ryan Pearson, recipient of the 2024 Annual Willcox Savage Law School Scholarship! “My ambition has always been to defy odds and accomplish that which may be difficult for most because I want to prove that with hard work and dedication, anything can be accomplished." Lt. Pearson has already defied odds by any measure:   ◾ Ryan was a state championship basketball player from Henrico High School   ◾ He went on to play and serve as team captain for the United States Naval Academy   ◾ He was also a member of the Midshipmen Black Studies Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a volunteer with the Stanton Youth Outreach Center   ◾ In 2019 Ryan earned his bachelor of science in political science and a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy   ◾ For 5 years, he served in the Hampton Roads area--first while serving aboard the USS San Antonio and most recently, as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer/Assistant Weapons Officer aboard the USS Leyte Gulf   ◾ Upon separating from the Navy, Ryan will begin pursuing his juris doctor this fall as part of the University of Virginia School of Law's Class of 2027   Congratulate Ryan Pearson, as he is definitely one to watch! Special "Thank you" to the Hampton Roads Community Foundation for administrating this opportunity to support great, future legal talent in our region! #LawSchoolScholarship #LawSchool

Corporate transactional attorney Joseph Allen will join the faculty panel on Tuesday, July 16 @ 1 PM ET on Limitation of Liability Carveouts: Confidentiality, Data Security Breaches, IP, and Indemnification. See registration page for full outline. #LimitationOfLiability #DataSecurityBreaches #IP #Indemnification

“It’s always exciting where you read about something in the paper and then the phone rings,” Abel said. “Everyone in America, or probably in the world, knew that this tragedy happened when they woke up the morning of March 26. The fact that within a day or so we were getting a call and an opportunity to have a role, that was kind of exciting.” On March 26th when the Dali container ship lost power and collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the Maryland Office of the Attorney General called Christopher Abel, Head of the Maritime & Admiralty Law Practice Group, one of the largest in Virginia. The Virginian-Pilot feature tells the story of the team brought in to serve as emergency outside counsel. “Our job in the early going was to represent the state’s interest,” Abel said. “To advise the state of its legal rights and options.” #MaritimeLaw #Bridges #ContainerShips #CargoShips

Let freedom ring!

Sixty years ago today, the most sweeping civil rights legislation of the 20th century was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964. The Civil rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in public places, provides for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and makes employment discrimination illegal. 

Named for the day when enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the western-most territories still under Confederate control, Juneteenth offers us a chance to reflect upon and celebrate independence and freedom. 

Welcome UVA Law Roadmap Scholars Initiative Summer Intern: Stephany Lindo Batlle! Get to know her from her profile on the program’s website (see below). Launched in 2022, the program’s goal is to expose participants to the law, law school and the legal profession, and to help them become competitive applicants to any of the nation’s top law schools. Hometown: Barranquilla, Colombia and Virginia Beach, Virginia Undergraduate School: Christopher Newport University Who are your biggest influences and why? I have been blessed with two beautiful human beings: my mom and dad. They have shaped me into who I am today and established the foundation for my dreams to come true. Throughout my life, they have shown me that love and hope are key to a happy life, even through difficult times. What’s a fun fact or experience about yourself that you'd like to share? I once read five novels in a week. Why did you apply to the Roadmap Scholars Initiative? This program piqued my interest the moment my co-worker and friend Sam, a scholar from the first cohort, told me about it. I saw the Initiative as an opportunity to learn more about the career I wanted to pursue while making meaningful connections with other students who shared similar interests. Why are you interested in becoming a lawyer? Growing up in Colombia was an experience I would never trade for anything in the world. The culture, people and atmosphere of such a vibrant country will forever be part of who I am. However, the governmental corruption made me dive into the complexities of being a litigator in Colombia. Despite the risks and poor reputation that follow lawyers, I was determined to demonstrate that lawyers could be the change. 

Then (1777) and Now (2024)…forever in peace may you wave.

80 years ago today, on June 6, 1944, the Allied Expeditionary Force launched the greatest amphibious invasion the world has ever seen, the historic D-day invasion of Normandy, France. On this National Day of Remembrance, we commemorate those who served in the turning point of World War II that ultimately liberated Western Europe from the grip of Nazi Germany, on May 7, 1945. ◾ Allied Expeditionary Force was made up of servicemembers from eight countries, namely the United States, the British Commonwealth, and Canada. ◾ More than 160,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen crossed the English Channel that day in over 7,000 vessels. ◾ The landing points in Normandy were across five beach sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. ◾ 73,000 Americans joined the Allied forces and over 2,500 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice during the invasion, giving their lives so that the whole world might know freedom. ◾ As of 2023, only 119,550 of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II are alive with approximately 2,000 residing in Virginia.