Oyster Lawyers

Mitchell M. Wells is admitted to practice law in all state and federal courts in Virginia, concentrates his practice in the areas of criminal law, DUI and reckless driving traffic violations, and has defended thousands of cases. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Wells served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Health Care Fraud section of the Office of the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Wells was responsible for supervising various fraud investigations and litigating Virginia false claim actions in federal court pursuant to the Federal False Claims Act and the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers...

Joseph Dean is a Virginia lawyer who concentrates his law practice primarily in the areas of criminal law, DUI, and traffic defense.  Mr. Dean joined Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law in 2013 primarily focusing on drafting legal memorandums, motions & pleadings, and researching and analyzing legal issues for the law firm’s felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in both state and federal courts. Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Dean participated extensively in trial advocacy and was recognized for his proficient skill as an advocate. He also learned early on as an Eagle Scout the importance of always being prepared. Mr. Dean brings...

Lawrence Land - Your Lawyer for Life! I have been practicing law for more than 35 years. I have a passion for helping people, which prompted me to pursue a career as a lawyer. I graduated with a Psychology major and Human Relations minor from the University of Miami. I then earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at the University of Richmond in 1975. As part of my law school curriculum, I also took courses at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. You can call me a true “homegrown” Virginia lawyer. I reside in...

Richard Neal (Rick) Shapiro takes great pride in his work as a trial attorney and has practiced Plaintiff’s personal injury law for over three decades in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States. He has dedicated his career to standing up for the "little guy" against big corporations, insurance companies, and government entities that attempt to use their vast resources and trove of defense lawyers to deny or fight legitimate claims. Rick Shapiro has more than 38 years total experience, and only handles personal injury law. He was named a 2022 Leader in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s...

Brian M. Latuga specializes in Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation across State and Federal courts. As a seasoned trial attorney, his career is marked by relentless advocacy in the courtroom to safeguard the liberty, rights, and family unity of those under serious allegations by the government or individuals. Mr. Latuga's practice spans a comprehensive range of charges, including misdemeanors, felonies, white-collar crimes, sex offenses, drug trafficking, and violent crimes. His prowess is recognized across Federal, General District, Juvenile, Domestic Relations, and Circuit Courts in the Commonwealth, attesting to his reputation and expertise. Mr. Latuga's legal acumen is rooted in real-world experience,...

Recognized by multiple legal organizations as a top 10 DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyer in Virginia, attorney Naumovski has been in practice for 15 years and handled 1,000s of criminal cases. This includes over 1,000 DUIs and over 1,000 Reckless Driving cases. Serving all of Hampton Roads area, Attorney Naumovski is in court on a daily basis aggressively defending those facing criminal or traffic accusations. Attorney Naumovski graduated First in his Class in College as well as First in his Class in Graduate School and attended a top 10 National Law School (University...

Derek is a business minded attorney laser-focused on results. He possess the knowledge and experience to serve all your business legal needs. His primary practice is in the areas of business, franchising, and litigation.

Attorney Shemeka Hankins is an experienced prior prosectuor with years of criminal litigation experience. A seasoned trial attorney, she is well-versed in a number of criminal areas such as drugs/narcotics/marijuana, driving under the influence (DUI/DWI), theft crimes, and juvenile justice. She also has experience with mental health programs, license restoration, restoration of gun rights, and expungements.

Shemeka Hankins is a committed servant of the community and puts the rights of clients at the forefront of the defense. She is dedicated to helping her clients protect their freedoms and defend their rights in legal situations. Attorney Shemeka Hankins is a...

Let me be the first to welcome you to Holcomb Law. Our firm is devoted to public outreach and education about the legal system, and I have written several articles and e-books on a variety of topics, including divorce, child custody, mediation, reckless driving, DUI defense, criminal defense and expungement of criminal records. We will provide this information to you, free of charge. Contact us any time to schedule your initial strategy meeting with one of our experienced attorneys. You might not be happy now, probably not, but I can almost guarantee that you will be happy with your Counsel...

At 7 Cities Law I specialize in Criminal Defense and Juvenile Law. I started my legal career eight years ago as a prosecutor in Virginia Beach where I tried hundreds of criminal cases. My experience extends from the most serious of violent felonies like Murder or Sexual Assault to misdemeanors such as Traffic Offenses, Domestic Violence and School Disciplinary Hearings. I was recently selected by the National Trial Lawyers as one of their Top 40 Under 40. I pride myself on being prepared and working with my clients as a team to get the best result in our...

Griffin O’Hanlon joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers as an attorney in the fall of 2015. He attended Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake for his freshman and sophomore years, before his parents relocated to Illinois. He returned to Virginia to attend Virginia Tech, where he majored in history. Griff obtained his J.D. from the Saint Louis University School of Law with a concentration in civil litigation.

After law school, Griff returned to Hampton Roads, where he practiced criminal law at the Norfolk Public Defender’s Office and a local private firm before joining Cooper Hurley and has extensive in-court litigation experience. Griff...

Kellam Parks is a managing partner at Parks Zeigler, PLLC – Attorneys at Law, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Kellam focuses his practice on family law, cybersecurity and data privacy, credit report disputes, and civil litigation. He is active with the Virginia State Bar, most recently chairing the Special Committee on Technology and the Future Practice of Law. He is also active with both the Virginia Beach Bar Association, where he serves on the Circuit Court Liaison Committee and the Norfolk/Portsmouth Bar Association, where he serves on the Executive Committee. Kellam also participates in the mentorship programs for both associations,...

MONTE KULIGOWSKI IS A VIRGINIA ATTORNEY who concentrates in DUI / DWI, reckless driving, felonies, misdemeanors and serious personal injury cases. He has handled speeding tickets to murder cases. Monte has been defending clients throughout Virginia since 1997. He has won cases at every judicial level of the Commonwealth, including the Virginia Supreme Court (See, White v. Commonwealth, 267 Va. 96 (2004)). Attorney Kuligowski is also admitted to practice in federal District Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He has won cases in both state and federal court. Over the years, he has...

I went to law school because I wanted the opportunity to both help people and to work for myself. After graduating from the College of William and Mary School of Law in 1992, much of my practice was focused on personal injury litigation; however, I noticed I derived the greatest satisfaction from helping my Social Security disability clients through the frustrating and confusing Social Security disability application and appeals process. At the conclusion of a case, my clients would come in person to hug me, to thank me, and to tell me about the difference I had made...

If you have been arrested for a serious offense, and the fate of your liberties and livelihood depends on the outcome of negotiations with prosecutors, or a trial in criminal courts — when experience matters in the defense attorney you select — Invictus Law, aggressively defends your rights. Attorney Eric Leckie is an experienced trial lawyer in both state and federal criminal law. As an active duty Marine Officer, he spent nearly 12 years as a Judge Advocate. During that time, Eric Leckie served as a prosecutor, operational law advisor, and staff judge advocate for numerous commands in...

Stephen P. Pfeiffer is known locally as the “Go-To-DUI and Criminal Defense Attorney.” Stephen is a partner at Wolcott Rivers Gates, one of the oldest and largest law firms in Virginia Beach. He has been published as a coauthor in the nationally recognized “Inside the Minds” series by Aspatore Books on ­The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases “A Practitioner’s Everyday Insight Into DWI/DUI Defense in Virginia”. Stephen has an AV® Preeminent Rating – the highest rating available from Martindale-Hubbell, the leading independent attorney rating entity. An AV® Rating signifies that the lawyer has reached the heights of...

James Panagis has spent his legal career in criminal and civil litigation in the state and federal courts of Virginia. With 15 years of trial experience, he has done jury trials in state and federal courts all over Virginia. James is a former Assistant Commonwealth Attorney with Fairfax County and the City of Virginia Beach and has been lead counsel on countless bench and jury trials having litigated Murder, Manslaughter, Robbery, Rape, Malicious Wounding, Embezzlement and a number of other white collar and computer offenses. James has significant appellate experience and has conducted oral argument before the Court of Appeals of...

Brandon Zeigler is one of the top-rated Family Law and Small Business attorneys in Virginia Beach, VA. Brandon is focused on providing exceptional, quality legal representation to individuals, families and businesses. The backbone of the American economy is small business. As a principal at Parks Zeigler, PLLC, he is extremely passionate about this area of law. As the owner of three small businesses, he knows first-hand the issues that need to be addressed in forming and running a company. He enjoys working with small business owners to ensure they have the correct documents, contracts, leases,...

I work as a principal attorney at Poole Brooke Plumlee PC. I have a passion for helping people navigate the most challenging family situations they have ever faced in their lifetimes, whether that includes a divorce, a child custody dispute, or other family law matter. Each case is unique and deserves a specialized plan. When I meet with clients, I help them set reasonable goals and formulate a strategy and roadmap that we can follow together to maximize the chance of achieving those goals. I take pride in being accessible to my clients and keeping them informed about...

Ken Gibson is passionate about helping clients get through tough times and fighting for them inside and outside the courtroom. An experienced trial attorney, Ken earned a commendation from the director of the FBI for his work in prosecuting violent criminals. He is a former Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Norfolk and Federal Prosecutor at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. He has the legal experience to get the best possible results for you.

A graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of South Carolina Law School, Ken gives clients outstanding representation every step of the way. Ken...

Bailey Gifford joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers in late 2020. Born in Nebraska and raised in Kentucky, she graduated with honors from Central Hardin High School.

After high school, Bailey graduated magna cum laude from Morehead State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with an emphasis in Business in 2016.

Bailey went on to the Appalachian School of Law, in Grundy, VA, where she obtained her J.D. in 2020. During her time there, she served as president of the Student Bar Association. Bailey also served as a Student Ambassador and participated as a member of both the Mock Trial and...

Ed has practiced law since 2004, when he graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law. Ed spent the early part of his career practicing criminal law, including service as a Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Virginia Beach, where he handled serious criminal prosecutions, including homicide. After leaving prosecution, Ed began practicing plaintiff’s personal injury and medical malpractice law. He believes that, while it is impossible to alter what happened to cause an injury, it is possible to improve a client’s life by obtaining the maximum settlement or verdict. Ed now dedicates his practice exclusively...

For 17 consecutive years during 2007-2023, Mr. Waterman has been honored by his legal colleagues in The Best Lawyers of America for 2 separate categories - "Personal Injury" and "Medical Malpractice" - for Southeast Virginia. Indeed, he has been voted its "Lawyer of the Year" for 6 of the last 10 years and for 3 of the past 4 years. For 2021, 2022, and 2023, Waterman Law Centers received the coveted "Metropolitan Tier 1" Best Law Firms ranking by U.S. News & World Report. It has 3 Peninsula law offices: Williamsburg, Newport News, and Hampton. Also, for 16 consecutive years during...

The son of a government official, Andy grew up in various parts of the country, including Ohio, Colorado, and Texas. He attended the College of William and Mary and graduated in 1988 with a B.A. with honors in Government. Andy then went to the University of Richmond Law School, obtaining his J.D. in 1991. While in law school, he won the moot court competition, the trial competition (twice), and the writing competition. After passing the Virginia bar exam in 1991, Andy worked in one of the largest law firms in the country in its Norfolk office, primarily defending large...

As a current firm shareholder for Pender and Coward, P.C., the scope of James T. Lang's practice is in environmental law with an emphasis on counseling residential and commercial waterfront property owners. Additionally Mr. Lang has extensive experience representing business clients in a variety of corporate matters that have become long time clients entrusting him with all of their legal needs. Before joining the firm in 2005, Mr Lang enjoyed a 25-year career in the navy starting as an E-1 Fireman Recruit and finishing as an O-5 Commander, including 16 years as a U.S. Navy JAG Attorney.

Taite has devoted his entire legal career to the practice of criminal defense. Prior to co-founding Westendorf & Khalaf, Taite worked as a supervising attorney in the largest Public Defender's office in the state (Virginia Beach). His career has been defined by taking on a variety of tough high stakes cases. In a state where a fraction of felony cases go to trial (and less than 1% go to jury trial), Taite has taken over one hundred felony cases to trial and has won not guilty verdicts following jury trials for murder, rape, robbery, abduction, use of a...

I am a former prosecutor who is a seasoned trial lawyer focused on achieving outstanding results for my clients. I am a born fighter and a high-profile problem solver. My firm handles personal injury and civil litigation, state and federal criminal law cases, divorce and custody, and education and Title IX law. Our firm stands out among the rest because of our experience in courtroom litigation. We fight for our clients!

After completing law school at the University of Virgina and then a one year appointment as a law clerk in the United States Federal Court, I began practicing with a large law firm in Norfolk, Virginia. I was fortunate to train under several extremely talented trial lawyers. Hard work, persistence and being prepared for anything were the core values of our practice, and I have practiced with these same qualities since founding Pierce Thornton with my partner in 1997.

I represent individuals and families in cases ranging from medical negligence injuries or wrongful death to traumatic brain injury caused by a...

David J. Pierce is a partner with the law firm of Pierce & Thornton, PLC. David has 26 years of trial experience in medical malpractice and general personal injury litigation including motor vehicle accidents. Prior to co-founding Pierce & Thornton in 1997, Mr. Pierce was a partner in the largest law firm in eastern Virginia where he defended physicians, nurses and hospitals in malpractice litigation. He also conducted a general insurance defense practice including auto accident claims. This defense experience gives David a unique and distinct advantage in his plaintiff's practice.

David has obtained numerous substantial verdicts and settlements in a...

Angela is the leader of The Manz Law Firm pack, with the key purpose of helping clients achieve two main goals: planning for the future and coping during times of crisis. Angela graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and acquired her Juris Doctorate at the College of William and Mary, Marshal Wythe School of Law. Having practiced for over a decade, Angela focuses her firm’s efforts on estate planning and helping families obtain Medicaid and Veterans Administration benefits to pay for long-term care. Angela dedicates her time, energy and legal expertise to helping you and...

I have practiced Family Law since graduating law school in 2005. I regularly provide counseling to clients on matters of divorce, equitable distribution, child custody and visitation, spousal and child support and adoptions. As an adoptive parent myself, I understand the blessing of building a family through the grace of adoption and I enjoy assisting families on this journey. I have had the great honor to meet my children's birth families and as a result I feel that I connect to both the adoptive parents as well as the birth parents, all of whom are making a...

Aaron Pomeranz is a Virginia criminal defense attorney at Parks Zeigler, PLLC who formerly served with the Norfolk Police Department for almost 25 years. He brings unique knowledge and insight into how law enforcement and prosecutors build a case against his clients.

Caryn was born and raised outside Buffalo, New York. Caryn’s first love and passion is reading and writing, which naturally led to a career in law. She attended the State University of New York at Geneseo, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in Philosophy and English. From Geneseo, she moved South for warmer weather and attended Washington and Lee School of Law in Lexington, Virginia, graduating cum laude in 2002. During law school, Caryn was a member of the Editorial Board of the Washington and Lee Law Review.

Having visited her aunt...

John Whitbeck is the founder and partner of WhitbeckBennett. His practice focuses on family law, more specifically divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, domestic violence and protective orders, adoption, special education law, and mental health law.

He is a professor of law at George Mason University Law School, and the former Director of the George Mason University Law and Mental Illness Clinic.

John uses his expert knowledge of the law to advocate for his clients and their families.

Attorney Richard Serpe is a distinguished Virginia personal injury lawyer with a reputation for meticulous trial preparation and presentation, and has a track record of success in obtaining favorable jury verdicts and settlements for his clients. As a personal injury attorney, Richard Serpe advocates for those who have been injured due to the negligence of another person, dangerous product, or company. A substantial portion of his legal career has been devoted to the representation of injured children. Mr. Serpe is frequently associated with complex litigation, managing cases with difficult scientific and medical issues. He has experience managing large case cohorts, including the...

Rebecca began her business with the goal of helping families through a range of family issues from divorce and separation to creating cohesive estate plans. Through a strong focus on people - both clients and employees - the firm has grown and expanded into new markets. Our offices now serve northern Virginia, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, John Singleton has made Gloucester, Virginia, his home. He served in the U.S. Marines in China and Beirut, Lebanon. John is a graduate of Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and Mercer University Law School in Macon, Georgia.

John learned his trial skills working for a large insurance defense firm. He knows how the insurance side works and uses that knowledge to give his clients outstanding insight and counsel. John enjoys a fight, and he puts his heart into every single case.

John serves his community through organizations including the Middle Peninsula Bar Association, The Fairfield Foundation, Ware...

Mario J. Stellute specializes in Personal Injury and Criminal Defense throughout the entire Hampton Roads area, and has successfully recovered millions of dollars for his injured clients and exonerated countless criminal defendants. Mr. Stellute was born and raised in Hampton, Virginia. He is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, and earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law. Following law school, Mr. Stellute immediately went into private practice. Mr. Stellute practices in both state and federal courts, and is a member of the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the Southern...

Shannon Laymon-Pecoraro is a Certified Elder Law Attorney of Parks Zeigler, PLLC practicing in the areas of elder law, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, estate planning, asset protection planning, financial planning, guardianships and conservatorships. Prior to joining the firm Ms. Laymon-Pecoraro spent 10 years at Hook Law Center, P.C. Ms. Laymon Pecoraro has a passion for special needs planning, which has resulted in her becoming a go-to for personal injury attorneys who need assistance navigating public benefits or otherwise protecting a client’s funds. As a result, Ms. Laymon-Pecoraro has worked on hundreds of personal injury cases, developing settlement trusts,...