Independence Criminal Lawyers

Jason Gallagher graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology in 2006. He continued his education at the Appalachian School of Law graduating with a Juris Doctor degree in 2011. After graduation, Jason was admitted to practice law in Virginia and joined a regional law firm where he maintained a diverse practice representing individuals and businesses in complex civil and criminal litigation in state and federal courts throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2023, he founded the Gallagher Law Firm, PLLC, a client-focused practice dedicated to providing efficient, cost-effective and comprehensive solutions for clients facing...

I provide diligent , aggressive , and competent representation in the areas of criminal law; traffic law including but not limited to speeding tickets, reckless driving, accident cases, driving suspended ,and DUI; family law including divorce, custody, visitation, and support; wills and power of attorney.

William R. Kilgore, Esq. is a graduate of George Wythe High School, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville, and Syracuse University College of Law. He passed the bar exam and became a licensed attorney in the Commonwealth of Virginia in October 2018. After the bar, William returned home to Wytheville, VA, where he began working as an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney (prosecutor) for Wythe County. In 2022, William left the Commonwealth Attorney's Office to open his own practice and better serve the citizens of Wythe County and surrounding areas.

University of Virginia undergraduate, William and Mary law school; former Commonwealth's Attorney; former County Attorney; Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubble; Virginia Legal Elite 2007 and 2008; Virginia Super Lawyer 2008, 2009, 2013; 2014; Fellow of American College of Trial Attorneys; former lecturer Virginia CLE; Viginia Leader in the Law in 2012.

Travis is a native of Southwest Virginia. He graduated from Northwood High School in 2003. After high school, he attended the University of Virginia's College at Wise. He was member of the UVA-Wise Dearden Society, he was named to the Dean's List multiple semesters, and received the Joesph M. Scolnick Memorial Pre-Law Award. He graduated from UVA-Wise in 2007. Travis then studied law at the Appalachian School of Law. After being named to the Dean's List three consecutive semesters, Travis graduated from ASL, in the top of his class, in 2011. He took and...

My practice area focus is primarily criminal defense, traffic defense, and civil litigation in Southwest Virginia. I am also admitted to practice in Washington, D.C., the United States Eastern District of Virginia and the United States Western District Court of Virginia. When I'm not in the courtroom, I enjoy horseback riding and am often found trail riding on the weekends. If you have any questions and would like to speak with me, feel free to call the office at 540-339-7775.

I am a seasoned trial attorney who has been providing legal advice throughout Roanoke County, Roanoke City, the City of Salem, Franklin County, Bedford County, Botetourt County and courts throughout Southwest Virginia for more than a decade. But, I have been protecting citizen’s rights for even longer. Prior to becoming a criminal defense attorney, I served in the U.S. Marine Corps and earned the rank of Sergeant with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. Then, I worked as a prosecutor in Roanoke City before finally becoming a criminal defense attorney in the greater Roanoke area, where I tried cases in...

Michelle Derrico is a Roanoke criminal defense lawyer with years of experience defending clients against the Commonwealth. She has successfully represented clients accused of serious criminal charges such as murder and rape. At Copenhaver, Ellett & Derrico, you will work directly with Michelle to ensure that your questions are answered and you know exactly how the criminal process works in southwest Virginia.

David was born and raised in the Roanoke Valley; the son of a Registered Nurse and a Roanoke City Police Officer, he spent his childhood in Salem and attended Glenvar High School. After graduating, he went on to attend Virginia Tech where he received degrees in both Finance and Accounting. After graduation, David worked as an accountant in both the public and private sectors, but decided the law was his true calling. He went on to attend Washington & Lee University School of Law, where he graduated with honors at the top of his class in 2010. David began his...

Admitted to practice law in Virginia in 1998, Mel brings a wealth of litigation experience to clients that includes practice as a prosecutor and working for insurance companies defending lawsuits, to include defending government officials charged with misconduct and violations of civil rights. Now he represents persons and small businesses in litigation arising out of serious personal injury, employment disputes, and employment and administrative/governmental grievances, such as professional discipline. Mel received his Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, from Bridgewater College of Virginia in 1995, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Philosophy/Religion. In 1998,...

Greg represents individuals and families facing challenges from automobile accidents and tractor-trailer crashes, construction accidents, heavy equipment accidents, automobile defects, wrongful death, consumer product defects, traumatic brain injury, and asbestos illnesses. After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1986 with a degree in Economics, Greg commissioned in the United States Army for four years active duty with the 10th Mountain Division. Greg entered law school in 1992 and graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law in 1995 where he was admitted to the Virginia State Bar and Federal Courts of Virginia. Greg obtained one of the largest...

Ward Armstrong has been practicing law for nearly 40 years. Now he and his daughter, Courtney Armstrong, practice together as The Armstrong Law Firm. The Armstrong Law Firm offers representation for cases of all types including criminal defense and drunk driving, personal injury from motor vehicle accidents, divorce and child custody, elder law and estate planning, including wills, and general civil matters. Don’t be strong-armed in the courtroom – hire The Armstrong Law Firm today!

Matt recently returned to the Roanoke Valley after spending 9 years in New Mexico, where he served as an officer in the Air Force and obtained his two graduate degrees.

Vicki L. Francois (née Wiese), Esq.

Vicki obtained a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. She then obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City School of Law, where she was awarded Order of the Barristers in recognition of excellence of courtroom advocacy. She also served as a law clerk for the Honorable James F. Lane of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals during law school.  Vicki has continued to further her education by attending the University of Pennsylvania and completing Leadership Strategy for Violence and Abuse Prevention, Executive Program.

She is licensed to practice law...

I have been practicing criminal and traffic law in Virginia for over 16 years, including 6 years as a prosecutor and 10 years in private practice. I am fluent in Spanish and can interpret or translate to assist clients.

John Weber III is the President and founding member of WEBER LAW FIRM, PC. John began his legal career in 1992 after graduating from the University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law. John began his legal career with a small law firm in Danville, Virginia, where he worked on a variety of civil and criminal cases. After gaining valuable trial experience, John moved to Roanoke to work with one of the largest law firms in southwest Virginia - Gentry Locke Rakes and Moore. While at Gentry Locke, John was assigned to defend complex civil litigation cases and gained extensive...

A Roanoke, Virginia native, John Fishwick has spent his professional career helping individuals who have faced serious civil and criminal legal challenges. John is not afraid of a tough case and has won significant civil verdicts and obtained acquittals for clients facing criminal charges. No stone is left unturned as John looks for ways to win your case. John is fortunate to work with a talented group of attorneys and staff at his firm, many of whom he has worked with for years. Many of his cases are referred to him from other Virginia attorneys. In fact, many other lawyers refer...

Ryan began his legal career at the Richmond School of Law, volunteering with the Richmond Law Innocence Project and the Legal Aid Society of Central Virginia. After passing the Virginia Bar, Ryan worked at the Hampton Public Defender's Office for three and a half years. There he tried countless jury trials including his first murder case and cases involving life-mandatory felony offenses. Ryan developed a reputation for being a fearless trial attorney and zealous advocate. Ryan then worked at the Portsmouth Public Defender's Office, working his way up to the position of Deputy Public Defender. In that capacity, Ryan supervised younger...

I am an extremely experienced criminal defense attorney having represented over 50 people facing capital murder charges and a potential death sentence. As Capital Defender for S.W. Virginia I led a team of attorneys, investigators and mitigation specialists, over the course of 17 years none of our clients received a death sentence. Trial practice is my great strength as demonstrated by record of success. I led defense teams that secured the last two jury acquittals defendants charged with capital murder in Virginia. I have represented individuals charged with crimes ranging from trespassing to mass murder over the last...

Civil and Criminal Litigation throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia
Statewide Commercial Practice

Personal Injury
Commercial Collections
Drug Offenses
Traffic Violations
Corporate
Contracts
Small Business Advising

I have been a jury trial lawyer handling criminal, family law, traffic, and other cases for over half a century in State and Federal courts throughout Virginia. I am a Member of The Virginia Trial Lawyers Association My Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense DUI Drunk Driving ...

Miller Moreau was born and raised in the Danville-Pittsylvania County area and returned to his family's firm, Williams & Light, after attending Campbell Law School in Raleigh, North Carolina. He carries on the legacy of his father and grandfather at the firm and continues to provide client-centered advocacy in the areas of personal injury, family law, and bankruptcy.

I graduated from Tunstall High School in 2007. I went on to attend Hampden-Sydney College where I received my B.S. in History and graduated with the distinction of summa cum laude in 2011. I then attended Elon University School of Law. I received my J.D. in 2014 and became a member of the Virginia Bar in 2015. My areas of practice include personal injury, criminal defense, and domestic relations as well as general practice.