Kristan B. Burch

Allison received her Juris Doctor in 2001 from Loyola University School of Law at New Orleans. After law school, Allison returned to Virginia and clerked for an Administrative Law Judge with the Department of Labor in Washington, DC for one year. Thereafter, she worked as an associate at McKenry, Dancingers, Dawson & Lake from 2003 to 2006, as an associate and partner at Kaufman and Canoles from 2006 to 2015, and as a partner at Parks Zeigler from 2015 to 2022. Allison’s has exclusi...

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...

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.

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.

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.

Alexandra Wood is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Alexandra, 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 Alexandra is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

John M. Cooper is one of the founding partners at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers and a veteran of Virginia personal injury law practice. A native of Hampton Roads, Virginia, he was raised in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. After graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1988, John returned home to work as a law clerk for a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division. John has a passion for justice and has been blessed to have a l...

Ann H. Larkin is a Shareholder at Midgett Preti Olansen. She focuses her practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, special needs planning and guardianship and conservatorship matters. Ms. Larkin is certified by the Virginia Supreme Court as a guardian ad litem for incapacitated adults. Ms. Larkin has extensive experience designing estate plans ranging from basic to complex. She works closely with individuals to ensure that they and their loved ones are cared for properly a...

Darius K. Davenport is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance and Real Estate Law. Darius K., 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 Darius K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.