Print/Download Bio in PDF  

Experience

Appellate Experience

• Obtained reversal of decision striking down water and sewer rates that town charged to out-of-town customers; won final judgment in favor of town. Town of Leesburg v. Giordano, __ Va. __, __ S.E.2d __ (2010)
• For question of first impression, obtained dismissal of domestic relations appeal based upon terms of property settlement agreement, which waived the right of appeal. Burke v. Burke, 52 Va. App. 183, 662 S.E.2d 622 (2008)
• Obtained reversal of award of writ of mandamus against municipal land development official in subdivision application case. Umstattd v. Centex Homes, G.P., 274 Va. 541, 650 S.E.2d 527 (2007)
• Secured affirmance of $1.5 million compensatory damages award and $50,000 punitive damages award for breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, and conspiracy. Banks v. Mario Industries of Virginia, Inc., 274 Va. 438, 650 S.E.2d 687 (2007)
• Successfully defended a jury verdict for homeowners association for damages stemming from the negligent construction of a septic system. Westlake Properties, Inc. v. Westlake Pointe Property Owners Association, Inc., 273 Va. 107, 639 S.E.2d 257 (2007)
• Successfully represented an individual in a premises liability case involving a question of first impression. Taboada v. Daly Seven, Inc., 271 Va. 313, 626 S.E.2d 428 (2006), adhered to on rehearing, 641 S.E.2d 68 (2007)
• Obtained a new trial on damages for injured plaintiff in a medical malpractice case. Monahan v. Obici Medical Management Services, 271 Va. 621, 628 S.E.2d 330 (2006)
• Successfully defended decision of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission awarding attendant care benefits for employee who lost both arms in an industrial accident and assessing a large award of attorneys fees against opposing party. Virginia Polytechnic Institute v. Posada, 47 Va. App. 150, 622 S.E.2d 762 (2005)
• Obtained reversal of summary judgment in federal court negligence case. Blair v. Defender Services, 386 F.3d 623 (4^th Cir. 2004)
• Successfully defended compensatory and punitive damages jury verdict in malicious prosecution case. Stamathis v. Flying J, Inc., 389 F.3d 429 (4^th Cir. 2004)
• Obtained reversal of summary judgment in state malicious prosecution case representing chairman of a school board. Andrews v. Ring, 266 Va. 311, 585 S.E.2d 780 (2003)
• Obtained new trial for individual in medical malpractice case. Sawyer v. Comerci, 264 Va. 68, 563 S.E.2d 748 (2002)
• Successful defense of jury verdict in a construction case interpreting statutory warranty for new dwellings. Vaughn, Inc. v. Beck, 262 Va. 673, 554 S.E.2d 88 (2001)
• Successfully defended federal court's dismissal of First Amendment constitutional challenge in voting rights case. Jordahl v. Democratic Party of Virginia, 122 F.3d 192 (4^th Cir. 1997), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 1077 (1998)

Education

• College of William and Mary: J.D. 1991; B.A. 1988