Best Lawyers® - Purely Peer Review™
by Their Peers
"Lawyer of the Year" Honorees {{Geolocation}}
Derrick Walker is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with a reputation as a courtroom powerhouse. Over the span of his 25-year career Derrick has achieved outstanding results for his clients in a wide array of personal injury matters, including multi-million dollar awards in cases involving wrongful death, tractor-trailer collisions, traumatic brain injuries, nursing homes, and medical malpractice. Driven by an unwavering commitment to leveling the legal playing field for the injured, Derri...
Elliott M. Buckner Partner | Cantor, Grana, Buckner, Bucci, P.C. (The Virginia Trial Firm) | Richmond, Virginia Reviewed by Elliott M. Buckner, Partner. Last reviewed: June 15, 2026. Elliott M. Buckner is a partner at Cantor, Grana, Buckner, Bucci, P.C. (CGBB), The Virginia Trial Firm in Richmond, Virginia. Elliott represents clients in every kind of personal injury claim , including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, tractor-trailer crashes, car collisions, and product liability...
John F. Cafferky is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Education Law. John F. practices law in Fairfax, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized John F. Cafferky since 2008. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John F. Cafferky is held by other lawyers.
My legal practice is dedicated to helping clients resolve divorce, property, support, and custody issues, and to move forward in a positive direction. My team and I guide our clients through the legal, emotional, and financial aspects of the divorce process as efficiently and effectively as possible. We have the experience and knowledge to help you navigate the challenges associated with marital and child related conflicts. I enjoy working on cases that involve complex financial issues. I hav...
Steven L. Raynor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Steve, who practices law in Charlottesville, Virginia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steve is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ryan is the 2024 President of the Virginia Bar Association. He handles high-stakes litigation with a focus on complex business disputes, construction law, and maritime law. He also serves as local counsel in the Eastern District of Virginia in patent and other cases. He was managing partner from 2012 to 2020. Ryan’s experience includes state and federal jury trials, mediations, panel arbitrations, and appeals. His cases involve business conspiracies, technology disputes, government cont...
Patrick L. Maurer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Patrick L. practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Patrick L. Maurer since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Patrick L. Maurer is held by other lawyers.
Rob’s practice focuses on major automobile, commercial truck and bus crashes, products liability, wrongful death and traumatic brain injury cases – these are complicated and important cases. “Our clients are good people who have had devastating things happen to them and their loved ones.” Rob and his team keep a small docket of cases so they can devote their full attention to those they represent. “We treat each client like they are a part of our family. We under...
Don joined the firm in 1993 and is the Managing Partner and Chair of the firm’s Commercial Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights Practice Group. He practices in the areas of eminent domain, commercial real estate finance, civil litigation, construction law, and business bankruptcy and creditors’ rights. He has provided advice and counsel to clients in commercial real estate financing, loan workouts, construction matters, collections and foreclosures and has successfully represent...
Michael J. Shevlin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael J. practices law in Fairfax, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Michael J. Shevlin since 2008. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael J. Shevlin is held by other lawyers.
Lawyers {{Geolocation}}
Minnie Fu is a principal in the Washington, D.C. Region office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and co-leader of the International Employment practice group. Her practice focuses on assisting employers in obtaining employment-related visas and advising employers on compliance with U.S. immigration laws and regulations. Minnie has 30 years of experience in employment-based immigration matters, including nonimmigrant and immigrant visa matters, developing corporate immigration policies and procedures for ...
James Kessel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. James, who practices law in Richmond, Virginia, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. James enjoys being in court and believes each and every case should be handled from the beginning as if it we...
John A.C. Keith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. John A.C. practices law in Fairfax, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized John A.C. Keith since 2006. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional reg...
Mr. Atkins is the leader of Pillsbury’s Intellectual Property Litigation team. He is a trial and appellate lawyer with 20 years of experience. He is a registered patent attorney who personally handles all of his cases and has won jury verdicts on both sides of the courtroom. Recent victories include (1) getting two university co-inventors added onto two NIH cancer drug patents with annual sales of approximately $2B, (2) an infringement jury verdict for a consumer product against a major...
Rebecca Geller is an award-winning attorney, a philanthropist, a trailblazer, and a passionate advocate for equality and human rights. Rebecca is also a devoted wife, mom to three young kids + a dog, and community leader. While working as a corporate lawyer for an AmLaw 100 firm, Rebecca witnessed brilliant women fleeing the profession because big law firm partners showed disregard for attorneys’ lives outside the firm. As the mother of a baby and toddler at the time, Rebecca knew there...
Paul R. Hernandez is a partner at Kalfus & Nachman PC in Norfolk, Virginia, representing individuals in personal injury litigation throughout Virginia and North Carolina. His practice focuses on helping injured clients pursue compensation after serious accidents and injuries. Mr. Hernandez works closely with clients throughout each stage of the legal process, providing straightforward guidance, clear communication, and practical advice tailored to their circumstances. Known for his thorou...
Latest Insights
The Legal Fallout D.C. Businesses Didn't See Coming
by Justin Joffe
What the National Guard's multiyear extension means for leases, insurance and compliance
IN PARTNERSHIP
Leading The Fight for Accountability
by Justin Smulison
Regan Zambri & Long is renowned as an authority on injury law in Washington, D.C., and nationwide. Firm founder and four-time Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” Patrick Regan discussed how a heart-wrenching case on behalf of a catastrophically injured client highlights the need for accountability among major corporations, and the steps he’ll take to ensure it.
How Best Lawyers Nominations Work
by Jennifer Verta
From nomination to peer review, here is how lawyers enter the Best Lawyers research process.
Google Is Losing Major Antitrust Cases. Is This the End of Big Tech’s Winning Streak?
by Justin Smulison
Legal experts say the remedies and appeals, not the liability findings, will determine if Google's losses reshape the tech industry.
$79 Billion and Counting: Inside the Record-Breaking Year That's Rewriting Corporate Litigation Risk
by Bryan Driscoll
Here's why the numbers keep climbing and how legal departments should respond.
