Stephen A. Strickler

The Moody Law Firm, Inc. (Moody, Strople, Kloeppel & Higginbotham, Inc. and its predecessor firms) is a national law firm headquartered in Portsmouth, Virginia. It was founded in a one room office space in 1958 by National Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame 2014 Inductee and America’s Top 100 Attorneys Lifetime Achievement Recipient , Willard J. Moody, Sr., who was a renowned and highly respected attorney, trial lawyer, and civic leader in the City of Portsmouth, who served in both the Hous...

Patrick L. Maurer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Patrick L. practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Patrick L. Maurer since 2020. 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 Patrick L. Maurer is held by other lawyers.

Ryan is the 2024 President of the Virginia Bar Association. He handles high-stakes litigation with a focus on complex business disputes, construction law, and maritime law. He also serves as local counsel in the Eastern District of Virginia in patent and other cases. He was managing partner from 2012 to 2020. Ryan’s experience includes state and federal jury trials, mediations, panel arbitrations, and appeals. His cases involve business conspiracies, technology disputes, government cont...

Naveed Kalantar is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Naveed practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Naveed Kalantar since 2026. 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 Naveed Kalantar is held by other lawyers.

“…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...

Alison Zizzo is a Shareholder at Midgett Preti Olansen and concentrates her practice in trust and estate litigation, including fiduciary disputes, beneficiary representation, guardian and conservatorships, and elder law. Ms. Zizzo has extensive civil litigation experience and can handle a variety of general litigation matters, including business disputes, collection and defense of debts and contract disputes. In addition, Ms. Zizzo handles complex trust and estate administration matters, assi...

Richard N. (Rick) Shapiro has practiced as a Virginia Beach personal injury lawyer for over three decades in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States, and was named by Virginia Lawyer's Weekly to the Virginia Lawyer's Hall of Fame. A relentless personal injury trial attorney, he was named a 2022 Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly. American inventor & product designer (18 U.S. patents, Radio Flyer patent license). Amazon #1 best-selling thril...

Ashley E. Nimitz is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Ashley E. practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Ashley E. Nimitz since 2026. 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 Ashley E. Nimitz is held by other lawyers.

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...

Howard P. Smith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Howard P. practices law in Hampton, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Howard P. Smith since 2008. 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 Howard P. Smith is held by other lawyers.