Brooks M. Smith

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...

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...

As a highly effective and sought-after trial advocate and proven litigator, Kelvin Newsome knows from longevity of experience that dispute resolution—whether in or out of court—demands more than just legal knowledge; it requires the instinct to anticipate opposition and the composure to execute under pressure. He brings both of these sought-after qualities to his defense practice. Over the course of his career, Kelvin has resolved serious disputes and seemingly intractable litigat...

Chuck Seyfarth is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who helps companies navigate their most significant litigation challenges. He is known as a talented strategist, able to tackle complicated disputes, with a keen ability to align legal strategy with business objectives. Clients rely on Chuck for his expertise in defending high-stakes litigation that threatens the core of their operations, brand, and objectives. He has particular experience handling cases in the Eastern District of Virgini...

Jay Fries graduated cum laude from Washington and Lee University and received his law degree from the Law School of the College of William and Mary, where he served as an editor of the Law Review. Jay represents employers in all areas of labor and employment law, including discrimination, wage and hour, unfair labor practice and employment tort cases. He is an active member of the Maryland, Virginia and Baltimore County bar associations, and the Labor Law Section of the American Bar Associati...

John Erbach represents a wide variety of business entities and individuals in complex business and commercial litigation, including intellectual property litigation, employment disputes, defense of consumer protection claims, and other complex commercial litigation. As an additional part of his practice, John regularly serves as outside general counsel to small and medium-sized businesses, counseling on employment compliance matters, employment policies, employee handbooks, dispute resolution...

Steve Reardon's practice focuses on health care, general corporate and business law, estate administration, wills, and trusts law. The majority of his time is spent representing providers of long-term care services such as nursing and assisted living communities, hospice providers, continuing care retirement communities, and physician practices. His health care clients rely upon him to represent them on regulatory issues including COPN, HIPAA, Medicare, and licensure matters and to act essent...

Vijay Mago defends employers against discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, and wrongful termination disputes under federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, the ADA, ADEA, FLSA, and FMLA. Vijay’s dual focus includes aggressive courtroom advocacy when disputes arise, combined with proactive counseling that addresses operational realities managers face. He understands that successful employment defense requires more than legal expertise—it requires insight into ho...

T. O'Connor Johnson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. T. O'Connor practices law in Richmond, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized T. O'Connor Johnson since 2018. 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 T. O'Connor Johnson is held by other lawyers.

Billy Mauck is an experienced commercial litigator with 35 years of experience specializing in representing clients in the construction industry. A firm believer in active legal risk management throughout the life of a project, he advises clients during the negotiation and formation of contracts, throughout the construction of a project and, if necessary, in resolving disputes through mediation, arbitration or litigation as necessary to bring a project to conclusion. His experience covers a w...