Thaxton Criminal Lawyers

Michael graduated from the University of South Carolina Pettigrew School of Law in 1969 with a Juris Doctor. He was a finalist in the Prince Competition, where he demonstrated exceptional ability in appellate advocacy. He was a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Conflicts. While in law school, he was selected by the NAACP to travel to Memphis, Tennessee. There, he helped investigate police brutality in connection with the Memphis riots that followed the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. He was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Among lawyer associations, Michael was admitted to both...

Bassel received his B.A. from the University of Hawaii in 2005 and his Law Degree from Washington & Lee University in 2008. After graduating from law school, he served as a magistrate conducting bond hearings as well as probable cause hearings for the issuance of search warrants and arrest warrants. For over the past decade, he has devoted his entire practice to defending clients in serious criminal cases. He has received recognitions by various lawyer awards such as Super Lawyers and CoVA Biz Magazine, but he's most proud of the cases he has won for his clients. Bassel has successfully...

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.

Charles D. Lewis is a former judge and prosecutor with nearly 20 years of experience in criminal defense. He is also a US Navy veteran. Born the son of a poor share-cropper, Mr. Lewis was the first in his family to go to college. Highly respected in the legal community, Mr. Lewis regularly represents clients in both state and federal court.

STEPHEN V. SOMMERS (licensed in Virginia 1999, Texas (1997), Maryland (1996)), was born at Camp Pendleton, CA, October 4, 1956 and educated at Troy State University (B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1981), Golden Gate University (M.A., 1986) and American University (Juris Doctor, 1995). Mr. Sommers retired from the United States Air Force at the rank of Major after 22 years flying fighter aircraft. Mr. Sommers has been admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Fourth Circuit and the Tenth Circuit and all Virginia Courts. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, the...

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...

Mr. Woolley has been a dedicated criminal defense attorney for over seven years. He believes in fighting for the rights of his clients and focusing on the individual concerns of each person. He understands that each client has different concerns and a different background.

Mr. Woolley has been named one of the Top 40 Under 40 and Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Association of Trial Lawyers. He is a member of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and has been a member of the Virginia State Bar since 2010. He is a graduate of the University of Colorado...