Independence Lawyers

I am a native Bristolian who obtained my undergraduate degree from University of Virginia in 1981. I obtained my law degree from Duke University, graduating in the top ten percent of my class. Prior to returning to the Tri-Cities, I practiced with large litigation law firms in Dallas, Texas and Washington, D.C. I have extensive litigation experience, including trying cases in front of a jury, and arguing appeals, in Virginia, Tennessee and federal courts. I have argued twice before the nine justices of the United States Supreme Court. I have also successfully reached settlements for my...

Bradley C. Ratliff, Esq., is a Virginia licensed attorney with significant background and experience in personal injury cases, Virginia workers' compensation, estates, elder law matters, real estate, and civil practice. In addition to his membership in the Virginia State Bar, Mr. Ratliff is admitted to Federal Courts in the Western District of Virginia, and United States Bankruptcy Court. Mr. Ratliff holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Bluefield, College and a Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from the Appalachian School of Law. Mr....

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.

Martindale-Hubbell highest rating (AV).

Graduated from the University of Virginia in 1979 and the University of Virginia School of Law in 1982. Started out with an insurance defense and business litigation firm. Represented many of the major insurance companies (auto, health, life, fire, products liability, bonds, etc) . Began representing injured individuals and companies. Gained familiarity with the Bankruptcy Code and Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code by advising creditors, documenting secured transactions for creditors, and representing creditors in civil litigation and in bankruptcy courts in Va., Ky., and Tn. Served as a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee for approximately...

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...

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.

Married, mother, Roanoke resident and Northern Virginia native.

Bankruptcy attorney for debtors in Eastern District of Tn. and Southwest Va. We focus exclusively on chapter 7 bankruptcy and advise on the chapter 13 bankruptcy solutions. We provide an affordable legal solution to peoples most pressing financial problems. We make it easy and affordable to get universal relief from debt. We keep our overhead low to pass on savings to the client. Lawyers generally cost people too much. We offer an affordable solution to people under financial debt from too many creditors causing them stress. We can get rid of medical/hospital, credit card and car repo...

Stephen has firsthand experience with the effects of divorce on children and families, and he possesses the experience to minimize the adverse consequences on all family members through collaborative approaches. As a member of the Virginia State Bar, Stephen is authorized to practice law in all courts within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, he is admitted to practice before the United States District Court and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia. Stephen is an esteemed member of the Roanoke Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the Virginia Bar Association. Actively engaged in community service, Stephen participates...

Since 2015, the workers' compensation lawyers in Roanoke, Virginia, of Lugar Injury Law have been representing injured people and their families. We believe our clients always come first. As personal injury professionals, we abide by our duty to protect the rights of victims of personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, traumatic brain injury, defective products, slip and fall, wrongful death, workers' compensation claims. We do not represent the insurance industry or big business. We represent people like you.

Ms. Moses has over 20 years of experience in handling workers’ compensation cases, having spent time looking at claims from both sides of the case. Early in her career she worked as a workers’ compensation claim adjuster for an insurance company and later, after attending law school, she represented insurance carriers in workers’ compensation cases. Her early career experiences convinced her that she wanted to work for the “other side” and represent the injured worker.

Ms. Moses strongly believes in the rights of injured workers, and she represents ONLY injured workers. She and her staff...

Life often presents unexpected twists and turns, and family dynamics are no exception. Growing up under the care of adopted parents, I quickly grasped the profound impact that family law can have on individuals navigating through challenging life phases. Today, as a family law attorney and the sole practitioner holding the distinction of being an Attorney and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® professional in Southwest Virginia, I am dedicated to assisting my clients through every phase of their journey, guiding them toward a fresh chapter in their lives.

I was born and grew up in the area - my family has served the legal needs of the area since 1892, over 120 years. My goal is to explain the legal process in plain English and to avoid the 'technical lawyer words' which only confuse many people. The primary focus of my firm is now "Elder Law" which broadly includes estate planning, Nursing Home admissions and Medicaid applications and adult guardianship. After a family member dies, we advise and assist in the estate administration process. In short, we help families plan and deal with aging...

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.

I help those who have been hurt by others. When individuals and families suffer from medical malpractice, dangerous premises, defective products, negligent driving, or other instances of carelessness, it's my job to guide my clients from the case’s initial evaluation in the office to its closing argument at trial.

Andrew P. Connors is the managing partner of Darkhorse Attorneys. He focuses his law practice on business law, intellectual property law, contracts, civil litigation, and mediation. He also serves as an adjunct law professor and heads the intellectual property program at Liberty University School of Law, where he teaches intellectual property, trademarks, and the school's USPTO certified Intellectual Property Clinic. Super Lawyers Magazine named him a Rising Star for Appeals, Business Litigation, and Intellectual Property from 2012-2023. He was also named as part of the "Legal Elite" for Intellectual Property law by Virginia Business Magazine. He has previously served as the...

I am a tenacious Roanoke lawyer who puts my clients' interests first. As a general practice attorney, I have extensive experience in many different areas of the law, including: business formation and corporate governance, general civil litigation, family law (divorce, support and custody), plaintiff's personal injury, GAO protests and federal procurement law, bankruptcy (Chapters 7 and 13), construction litigation, civil rights and s. 1983 cases, protective orders, and alternative dispute resolution. This broad experience allows me to bring a different perspective to bear in my practice. I have won jury and bench trials in Virginia, and have been victorious...

Matthew David Stombaugh Advocate for the injured—guided by empathy, driven by story, focused on justice. Matt is known known for his deep empathy, sharp litigation skills, and unwavering dedication to those who have suffered harm. Since beginning his legal career in 2018, Matt has represented hundreds of individuals and families in complex cases involving medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, catastrophic injury, truck wrecks, and wrongful death. He has litigated across Tennessee, Arkansas, and Ohio, managing cases from intake to resolution and appearing in both state and federal courts. His trial experience includes multiple jury trials and high-stakes litigation involving tractor-trailer collisions, defective...

Roanoke, Virginia, Personal Injury Lawyer: Ms. Bettina C. Altizer (Partner) was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. At the ripe age of three, she decided that she wanted to be a lawyer and that desire never wavered. Bettina moved to the Roanoke Valley with her family in 1973 and graduated with high distinction from the University of Virginia in 1985 with a B.A. in American Government. Bettina graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1988. began practicing with her father, Jack Altizer, in 1991 and they formed the Roanoke injury firm of Altizer & Altizer in Roanoke, VA....

I am a Virginia and West Virginia attorney focused exclusively on commercial matters—both litigation and transactional. My practice centers on enforcing contracts, recovering commercial debts, and defending businesses in civil disputes involving breach of contract, detinue, personal guarantees, or business torts. I represent banks, insurers, lessors, manufacturers, service providers, and closely held businesses. From pre-suit collections and settlement negotiations to obtaining judgments and post-judgment enforcement, I help clients pursue and protect their business interests in court. I regularly handle matters in General District and Circuit Courts across Virginia and West Virginia, with experience in both high-value enforcement and contested litigation. In addition...

Brian T. Mack, a Blacksburg resident, received his undergraduate degree in Management from Georgia Southern (2009, cum laude, Golden Keys International Member) and law degree from Washington & Lee University (2015). Before forming his own law firm, Brian worked at The Shaheen Firm, P.C., in Blacksburg, Virginia where he handled real estate closings. Brian is certified under Virginia law to conduct real estate settlements and is a member of the Montgomery/Radford Bar Association.

John Huntington has been advocating for clients with complex Family Law matters for decades. He is experienced using alternative dispute resolution models such as Judicial Settlement Conferences, Mediation, Collaborative Divorce practice, and Cooperative Divorce practice. While pursuing the best possible outcomes, Mr. Huntington is mindful of promoting the best interests of children, and dignity of those involved. He is dedicated to practicing law with professionalism and civility.

Mr. Huntington received his B.A. with honors, at the State University of New York at Binghamton. In 1981, he obtained a J.D. from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University....

Wren M. Williams is the President of Schneider & Williams, P.C. He graduated from Patrick County High School and went on to attend Hampden-Sydney College as a Patrick Henry Scholar. There, Williams was active in student government, president of his fraternity, and received the Cohen Citizenship Award from the Lambda Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa. Williams graduated cum laude from Hampden-Sydney College, earning a BA in English with minors in both Rhetoric and Creative Writing. Following graduation, Williams attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law for its outstanding trial advocacy program. During his time at Cumberland, Williams served...