2020 VI R G I N IA BUSI N E S S
LEGAL ELITE
Taxes/Estates/Trust
John E. Davidson Davidson & Kitzmann PLC Charlottesville
Mary E. “Betsy” Davis Whiteford Taylor Preston LLP Richmond
Barry Dorans Wolcott Rivers Gates Virginia Beach
Christine Nguyen Piersall Williams Mullen, Norfolk
Title: Partner/chair of Estate Planning: Private Client & Fiduciary Services Practice Other legal specialties: Business succession, commercial real estate Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Virginia; law degree, University of Richmond Spouse: Von L. “Trey” Piersall III Children: Liliane, 14; Benjamin, 12 First job as a lawyer: Associate at Cooper, Spong & Davis PC Fan of: Dallas Cowboys Recently read book: The “Crazy Rich Asians” trilogy by Kevin Kwan Favorite vacation spot: New Orleans Career mentors: Albert J. Taylor Jr., Amy G. Pesesky, Joseph A. Di Julio
How has the pandemic shaped timelines for estate planning? People are nervous about an illness that has the potential to be fatal. There are a lot of clients who are doing estate planning for the first time or reviewing their current plans. The timeline has been moved up. I recommend that if you do not have a plan in place, that you get one done as soon as possible.
What have you seen happen in terms of business succession plans as baby boomers age? The baby boomers are very organized. I am seeing a lot more planning and preparation for retirement and succession planning. We are seeing more operating agreements to deal with succession, as well as buy-sell agreements. In addition, clients are leaving business assets to specific children/individuals rather than in equal shares to all the children.
What sort of pro bono work does the firm do for estate planning? Everyone should have an estate plan. However, not everyone can afford an attorney. My partner, Andy Nea, started organizing pro bono clinics to provide estate planning documents for low- income seniors throughout Virginia. During these clinics, Williams Mullen attorneys partner with law students to counsel clients and prepare wills, durable general powers of attorney and advance medical directives.
62 | DECEMBER 2020
Broderick Coleman Dunn Cook Craig & Francuzenko PLLC Fairfax
Elizabeth M. Ebanks Ogletree Deakins Richmond
Karen S. Elliott Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC Richmond
Paul M. Falabella Butler Royals PLC Richmond
William R. Fitzpatrick Sevila, Saunders, Huddleston & White PC Leesburg
Andrew R. Fox City of Norfolk Norfolk
William M. Furr Willcox & Savage PC Norfolk
Sean Gibbons Roth Jackson Gibbons Condlin PLC Richmond
Ryan A. Glasgow Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP Richmond
Sharon S. Goodwyn Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP Norfolk
Betty S. W. Graumlich Reed Smith LLP McLean
Laura Geringer Gross Kaufman & Canoles PC Norfolk
Robyn H. Hansen Sands Anderson PC Williamsburg
Richard F. Hawkins III The Hawkins Law Firm PC Richmond
Elaine Hogan Dollar Tree Chesapeake
Raymond L. Hogge Jr. Hogge Law Norfolk
Melissa Jackson Howell Howell Law Group PLLC Norfolk
Phil Hucles Ferguson Enterprises Newport News
Cynthia E. Hudson Sands Anderson PC Richmond
Edward Lee Isler Isler Dare PC Vienna
Joshua L. Jewett Pierce / McCoy PLLC Norfolk
Stephanie P. Karn Kaplan Voekler Cunningham & Frank PLC Richmond
Scott Kezman Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. Newport News
Laurie L. Kirkland Blankingship & Keith PC Fairfax
Arlene F. Klinedinst Vandeventer Black LLP Norfolk
Paul Klockenbrink Gentry Locke Attorneys Roanoke
David A. Kushner Willcox & Savage PC Norfolk
Lisa K. Lawrence Lawrence & Associates of Virginia PLLC Richmond
Todd Leeson Gentry Locke Attorneys Roanoke
Contributed photo
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