John W. Richardson

Jim is Chairman of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. His primary practice areas include admiralty, business, cybersecurity, data privacy, railroad/transit, and unmanned systems. Jim has tried over 100 cases to jury verdicts for clients involving a broad range of legal disputes. Jim advises governing boards and senior leadership regarding risks and resolution strategies in high-profile cases. His service as general counsel to companies, and as a director and officer of several non-pr...

Stephen M. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Stephen M., who practices law in Hampton, Virginia, has been recognized since 1997. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephanie C. Smith is a Shareholder in the law firm of Midgett Preti Olansen. Her practice areas include estate planning, estate and trust administration, and business matters. Additionally, Ms. Smith serves as a Commissioner of Accounts for Virginia Beach Circuit Court. In her role as Commissioner of Accounts, Ms. Smith supervises fiduciaries and audits accountings and other filings by administrators and executors of estates, trustees of trusts, guardians and conservators for minor children ...

Nathan R. Olansen is the Managing Shareholder in the law firm of Midgett Preti Olansen. His practice is focused on estate planning, probate and trust administration, IRS and state and local tax audit and tax collection cases, as well as individual and entity tax planning, asset protection and a variety of related transactional matters such as business succession planning, business entity start-ups and tax planning for divorce. Nathan has extensive experience in drafting and implementing all t...

Ashley E. Nimitz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Ashley E., who practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ashley E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eric Washburn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Eric, who practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Erin E. Jewell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Erin E., who practices law in Yorktown, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erin E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph Young is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joseph, 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 Joseph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kevin Biniazan is a passionate, driven trial lawyer who seeks to provide the best possible representation to his clients. He strongly believes that a trial by jury is the best way to hold large corporations and insurance companies accountable for their negligent actions. And that is why he prepares every case as if it will go to trial. In that process, Kevin looks to innovative research and strategies in many areas including law, communication, social sciences, and beyond to bring new and inn...

Naveed Kalantar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Naveed, who practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Naveed is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.