Newport News Lawyers

Bill O’Mara started his legal career in 2008, moving back to his hometown of Chesapeake, He has a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from Washington and Lee University Law School. He has practiced in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury and other litigation. He has gained extensive courtroom and trial experience, including contested trials before judges and juries across Hampton Roads. In 2014, Bill O’Mara joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers as an associate attorney. He became a partner in 2017.

Bill O'Mara now dedicates his entire practice to helping injured people. He heads up a dedicated premises liability...

Attorney Forbes has been practicing law in Hampton Roads since 1982. He specializes in working with plaintiffs- usually representing injured clients in personal injury suits and workers’ compensation claims- but he has substantial criminal defense experience as well. Mr. Forbes recognizes that the collective wisdom of a jury is much wiser than any one mind, and he has relied on that collective wisdom time and time again to protect his clients' rights, liberties and livelihood against unfair treatment. Mr. Forbes has secured a jury verdict in excess of $2 million, including punitive damages, for a local high school coach in...

Former JAG

You're never too young or too old to start thinking about the legacy you will leave behind. Estate planning is necessary for the very young and the very old. It's necessary for those with many assets, and those with few. It's necessary for single people and married couples, with kids and without. Too many people think estate planning is for "someone else." But the reality is that estate planning is for everyone. It's not about your death, it's about the lives of those you love. We use a unique life-stage approach to estate planning; we consider your needs...

Will Harty is partner at Harty Jewell, PLLC, where he represents clients in mesothelioma and asbestos cases, product liability, personal injury, and maritime tort trial litigation, and appellate practice. As a trial attorney, Mr. Harty and his colleagues have won several multi-million dollar product liability verdicts. In his appellate practice, Will has represented clients in complex legal issues before the Virginia Supreme Court, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Will is regularly consulted and retained by other firms across the nation on maritime issues. He also...

When bad things happen to good people, they call The Tyson Legal Team headed up by Attorney Marqueta Tyson. Marqueta helps people resolve some of life's most difficult challenges: criminal charges, traffic/DUI infractions, employment, business, divorce and personal injury matters. She also protects the rights of athletes and entertainers through contract drafting and deal negotiations. In June of 2003, she founded The Tyson Legal Team, PLC and Pulse Sports and Entertainment Management LLC. The Pulse side of the house focuses on all aspects of an athlete's or entertainer's career both on and off the field or stage. Pulse...

Samantha Bradshaw, founding attorney of InLine Legal, never embraced the traditional route of life. After graduating into a job market where partners at law firms were still being laid off, she figured she had better chances at finding a ‘real law job’ overseas and certainly did. Five years of helping multinational companies expand and grow showed her that she thrived on helping serial entrepreneurs, business owners, and creatives bring their ideas off the ground. Their passion for their work is simply contagious. Samantha thrives on the contagious passion from fellow business owners. She uses that to help them get InLine,...

Mr. Philip R. Boardman pursued his bachelor’s degree at Augustana College, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Soon after, he earned a joint degree at Regent University, obtaining a M.A. in Public Policy and his Juris Doctor. Since then, he has opened his own practice which focuses exclusively on bankruptcy law. In his 10 years of experience, Attorney Boardman has helped thousands of clients resolve their financial situation. He treats each one of his clients with care and compassion, wanting to see dramatic changes in their lives as a result of his assistance. Going the extra mile, Attorney Boardman even offers a program...

Matt Ballard of Ballard Law Firm was born and raised in Hampton, Virginia. He graduated from Kecoughtan High School and received his Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Tech before earning his Juris Doctor from the College of William and Mary School of Law. After an internship at the National Labor Relations Board, Division of Judges, in Washington, DC, employment at the Law Firm of Jenkins & Rhea in Charlottesville, and six years of service as a prosecutor at the Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney office, he joined the Smith Law Firm, where he practiced from 2010 to 2023. Licensed...

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.

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...

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...

Divorce, child custody or a criminal charge can be one of the most challenging events in your life, with emotions, finances, your life, and more hanging in the balance. Attempting to figure it out on your own, or through consultation with a lawyer that is unskilled in the law, unprepared or going at it alone can only adds unnecessary stress. Turn to Anson Law to provide the legal advice you need to ensure your case isn’t more difficult than it needs to be.

John is passionate about entrepreneurship and business development. Like many entrepreneurs, he has launched both successful and failed businesses. A true believer in “failing forward”, John looks for new opportunities in every situation. This mentality allows him to connect with entrepreneurs and business owners in a meaningful way to help them navigate difficulties and grow their success. “I find joy in helping business owners make better decisions to build on their success and protect their business.” Outside of his practice of law, John serves as Chairman of the Board for Roc Solid Foundation, a local non-profit that builds hope for...

Chris is an attorney in the Virginia Beach office where he meets with individuals and couples in need of financial help. He is known by his clients as a “friendly and compassionate” attorney who brings comfort and help to those going through difficult times. Since joining Boleman Law in 2015, he has helped thousands of people struggling with overwhelming financial problems. His reputation with his clients has earned him the AVVO Client’s Choice Award in Bankruptcy, and the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum award. Chris’s reputation amongst fellow attorneys and judges has earned him a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating, to be...

Andrew H. “Andy” Hook is the president of Hook Law Center, where he practices in the areas of elder law, estate and trust administration, estate, tax, retirement and financial planning, long-term care planning, asset protection planning, special needs planning, business succession planning and personal injury settlement consulting. A 1975 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Mr. Hook is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Mr. Hook is certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law...

MARY G. COMMANDER has been engaged in the practice of law in Norfolk, Virginia and surrounding areas since 1981. She is well-known and respected in the Hampton Roads area for her proficiency in all matters of Family Law and her diligent and no-nonsense approach in court. Ms. Commander is a certified Norfolk Master Gardener Volunteer and actively involved in the rescue of former racing greyhounds (with two of her own at home).

Mary Commander’s Education & Experience:

She is a magna cum laude graduate of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she served for three years as an elected member of...

Letha Sgritta McDowell is a highly accomplished attorney and shareholder at McDowell Law Group, specializing in various areas of elder law, including estate planning, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection planning, long-term care planning, personal injury settlement consulting, guardianships & conservatorships, and tax law. Her expertise ranges from assisting clients with complex estate planning for high-net-worth individuals with assets over $75 million to developing simple plans for families with limited assets. Ms. McDowell has a distinguished professional background. She served as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a notable position within the field....

PLEASE NOTE THAT REPORTED CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE. PAST SUCCESSFUL CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT FUTURE RESULTS.

Attorney Ramsey Alnaif has represented hundreds of clients and has amassed extensive knowledge of criminal law and procedure. As lead attorney at trial, Ramsey’s “Dismissed” and “Not Guilty” record (excluding deferred dispositions) includes: driving under the influence (DUI), refusal to submit to breath test, possession of marijuana, trespassing, resisting arrest, assault and battery, domestic assault and battery, disorderly conduct, obstruction of justice, failure to appear, contempt of court, destruction of property, failure to register...

Avery Adcock has dedicated her career to representing victims of abuse and neglect in nursing homes, hospitals and assisted living facilities across the country. Ms. Adcock also handles cases involving catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death.

Before joining Senior Justice Law Firm, Ms. Adcock was a trial attorney in the nursing home litigation department of a prominent plaintiff’s personal injury law firm, litigating cases against nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.

Avery currently serves on the board of the DC Trial Lawyers Association and Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. Avery is also involved in the Maryland Association...

Wake Buxton is Managing Partner at TrustBuilders Law Group and President of TrustBuilders Fiduciary Group. He specializes in elder law, asset protection, and advanced wealth transfer as well as charitable giving and business succession planning. Mr. Buxton is an Accredited Estate Planner® and member of the Virginia, West Virginia, and Minnesota Bars as well as the United States Tax Court. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech, law degree from Regent University, and Master of Laws in Estate Planning from the University of Miami. He has also completed his graduate work in Financial Planning at Georgetown University and holds an...

Nick is a trial attorney representing those charged with traffic offenses and crimes such as assault and battery, underage possession of alcohol, possession of marijuana, and petty larceny. Before becoming an attorney, Nick attended Virginia Tech where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Business. He then accepted a full merit scholarship to University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law where he focused his studies on criminal law and litigation. In law school, Nick interned with both the Newport News Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the Virginia General Assembly for Delegate Jason Miyares of the...

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...

I represent public school divisions in education law matters arising under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Dave Ventker is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial honorary society composed of less than one half percent of lawyers in the United States. Immediate past member of the Board of Directors of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, past Chairman of the Inland Waters and Towing Committee of the Maritime Law Association and a Proctor in Admiralty, Dave has been practicing law since 1982. He has been concentrating in maritime law and commercial litigation since 1989, when he entered private practice after serving on active duty for more than 7 years with...

Mr. Stancliff handles a broad spectrum of disputes and transactions involving the maritime industry, and variety of commercial, maritime and admiralty civil litigation matters in federal and state courts in Virginia and North Carolina.

Bar and Court Admissions: Virginia State Bar (1977) and Alabama State Bar (1977); State Bar of Texas (1981); U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 1979; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (1981); U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit (1984) Education: University of Virginia, B.A., with high distinction (1974); University of Virginia, J.D. (1977)

Brandon is a lifelong Virginian who grew to love Hampton Roads during his time at Christopher Newport University. After graduating from "CNU," Brandon attended law school at the University of Richmond. There, he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Law & Technology as well as the President of the Moot Court Board. During law school Brandon interned at a large civil defense firm in Norfolk. After graduating Brandon worked briefly as an Associate there before deciding that he could better help the community by working for Employees, Plaintiffs, and Small Businesses. Brandon's practice focuses on medical malpractice, employment law,...

Lenard Myers focuses his practice on the representation of consumers, contractors, and businesses. A great deal of his work involves auto fraud, defending and preventing foreclosures, as well as matters involving complex commercial litigation. Mr. Myers practices law in the state and federal courts of Virginia. He places great value on courtesy, professionalism and resolving problems in the most cost-efficient manner possible. Lenard began his legal career as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney. Notably, he prosecuted over 300 matters with a conviction rate exceeding 90%. Subsequently, he successfully transitioned to private practice while returning to academia as an Adjunct Professor...