Hugh M. Fain III

Hugh M. Fain III

Richmond, VA recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2008
Spotts Fain PC

21 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Bet-the-Company Litigation Commercial Litigation Litigation - Intellectual Property Litigation - Labor and Employment

Biography

Hugh Fain has been a litigator and dispute resolver for over forty years. With broad experience as a civil trial attorney, his practice has focused on commercial and business litigation. Hugh is licensed in both Texas and Virginia.

Hugh has tried cases and resolved disputes involving multi-million dollar contract breaches, corporate governance, preservation of intellectual property rights, business tort claims, employment discrimination claims, construction and real estate litigation, trust and estates litigation, and shareholder, membership, or partnership disputes. He understands the mechanics of a business dispute and the disruption that prolonged legal proceedings bring to companies and to the executives who lead them. He also understands the importance of assessing the risks and rewards associated with resolving business disputes, whether inside or outside of the courtroom.

Hugh tries cases in both state and federal trial courts. He has argued cases before the Virginia Supreme Court, the Virginia Court of Appeals, and federal circuit courts of appeal. Hugh also has experience handling matters and trying cases before administrative agencies, including the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

Hugh is Past President of the Virginia Bar Association and Past President of the Bar Association of the City of Richmond. He has been named by his peers in Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America in four categories; Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Employment Litigation, and Intellectual Property Litigation. Hugh is a Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation. He currently serves as a Commissioner in Chancery for the Henrico County Circuit Court.

Spotts Fain PC

21 Best Lawyers awards

Spotts Fain PC logo

Overview

  • University of Virginia, J.D., graduated 1983
  • Virginia Military Institute, BA, graduated 1980

  • Virginia, Virginia State Bar
  • Texas, State Bar of Texas

  • Richmond Bar Association - President, 2006-2007
  • Virginia Bar Association - Past President
  • Virginia, Virginia State Bar
  • Texas, State Bar of Texas
  • Richmond Bar Association - President, 2006-2007
  • Virginia Bar Association - Past President
  • University of Virginia, J.D., graduated 1983
  • Virginia Military Institute, BA, graduated 1980

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Bet-the-Company Litigation
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Richmond (2025)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Richmond (2023)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Richmond (2021)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
Special Focus:
  • Business Disputes
  • Civil Litigation
  • Complex Litigation
  • Construction
  • Intellectual Property
  • Labor and Employment
  • Partnership Disputes
Awards:
  • Virginia Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame, 2024

  • Chambers USA 2014-2025 for Litigation (Virginia)

  • Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell

  • Virginia Super Lawyers for Business Litigation 2006 - 2025

    • Top 100 Virginia, 2012-2018; 2021-2025
    • Top 50 Richmond, 2012-2018; 2021-2025
    • Top 50 Virginia, 2009
  • Virginia Business magazine's Legal Elite 2003 - 2024 for Civil Litigation

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