John M. Peterson

C. Arthur "Brother" Rutter III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Brother, who practices law in Norfolk, Virginia, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brother is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. A second-generation lawyer, Brother Rutter made a name fo...

“…You can’t get good settlements unless you have good trial results” Working with a Federal Court Judge in New Orleans while he was in college fueled Jeffrey Breit's interest in the law. A native of the Tidewater area, his father, brothers and even his wife have all been attorneys at one time or another. In 1988, he left the firm where his father had practiced and together with Jack Drescher started Breit, Drescher & Imprevento specializing in representing injured...

Vanessa Macias Stillman serves as guardian ad litem for incapacitated adults and has experience litigating in several areas of fiduciary law, including contested guardianship and conservatorship actions, will contests, partitions of property, suits for breach of fiduciary duty, and a variety of complex trust and estate matters. Ms. Stillman graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish. She earned her law degree from Syracuse University College of Law...

Patrick L. Maurer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Patrick L., who practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Howard P. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Howard P., who practices law in Hampton, Virginia, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Howard P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Georgina Montgomery is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Georgina, who practices law in Norfolk, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Georgina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Ms. Montgomery has been practicing law for over 14 years. Her previous position at an insurance c...

Jim Hurley is the managing partner at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers in Norfolk, Virginia. As a Virginia personal injury attorney with more than 30 years of experience, he represents individuals and families in Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs matters throughout Virginia. Over the course of his career, Jim has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and has helped thousands of people pursue compensation after serious accidents and injuries. Jim is committed to providing attenti...

Carlton Bennett is recognized as an expert in traumatic brain damage litigation, nursing home malpractice and wrongful death caes. Mr. bennett was co-counsel in the largest mild-traumatic brain injury jury verdict, $10.2 million, ever awarded in Norfolk Circuit Court. He specializes in mild brain damage cases, but also handles moderate and severe cases. He has obtained numerous multi-million dollar jury verdicts and settlements for traumatic brain injury survivors, and other cases involving s...

Adam H. Lotkin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Adam, who practices law in Norfolk, Virginia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Adam is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Throughout high school and college, Adam worked in several different capacities with the United States House o...

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...