Congratulation to all the McCandlish Lillard’s Lawyers Named to Virginia Business’s “Legal Elite” for 2023
Fairfax and Leesburg, VA – McCandlish Lillard is pleased to announce that once again, all of its attorneys have been recognized by Virginia Business magazine as being among Virginia’s “Legal Elite.” Virginia Business magazine awards the “Legal Elite” designation from a survey of thousands of Virginia lawyers conducted in conjunction with the Virginia Bar Association. This year’s list appears in the magazine’s December edition, which was just released.
Congratulations also to McCandlish attorney R. Peyton Mahaffey (Civil Litigation) for having been recognized among Virginia's Legal Elite in all 24 editions since the list was published by Virginia Business magazine starting in 2000.
Here are the names and categories, with hyperlinks to each attorney’s biography at the firm’s web site:
Hannane Amanpour, an associate attorney practicing in the areas of business and family law, was named among the best Young Lawyers in the state.
Sarah C. Aviles, a Principal in the Fairfax office, was named among the best in the category of Taxes/Estates/Trusts. She practices in the areas of wills, trusts & estates; elder law / special needs; and trust, estate and fiduciary litigation.
Alan B. Croft, a Senior Counsel of the firm, resident in the Leesburg office, was named as one of the best in the category of Civil Litigation. Mr. Croft has actively litigated for over 40 years, having first begun his legal career as a criminal prosecutor for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
John W. Farrell, a Principal of the firm, was named among the best in the field of Real Estate/Land Use Law. Mr. Farrell has over 40 years of experience before governing bodies, planning commissions, boards of zoning appeals and circuit courts, representing landowners, developers, local governments, and environmental organizations in land use and environmental controversies.
Elizabeth L. Gray, a Principal of the firm, was named among the best in the field of Elder Law. Ms. Gray focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, guardianships, and the administration of estates. She is a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF).
Virginia C. Haizlip, a Principal of the firm, was named among the best in the field of Family Law. Ms. Haizlip focuses her practice in the areas of family law and wills and trusts.
Robert H. J. Loftus, a Principal of the firm, was named among the best in the field of Civil Litigation. His practice has focused on business and construction litigation, and he has successfully litigated numerous complex business and liability issues for nationally recognized companies.
Ryan A. Logan, an associate attorney focusing on business and real estate work, was named for Corporate Counsel.
Daniel P. Lyon, Counsel, was named among the best in the field of Corporate Counsel. He provides legal services as a member of the firm’s Business and Intellectual Property groups.
R. Peyton Mahaffey is the Chairman and a Principal of the firm. He was selected to the Legal Elite for the field of Civil Litigation for the 24th consecutive year, and previously to the Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame. Mr. Mahaffey has actively litigated business, corporate, commercial, and fiduciary matters on a continuing basis since 1980.
Lawrence J. McClafferty, the President and a Principal of the firm, as well as a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, was selected in the category of Civil Litigation. He works out of the firm’s Fairfax and Loudoun offices. Mr. McClafferty devotes much of his practice to litigation involving business torts and fiduciary litigation, which includes will contests, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and guardianship / conservatorship matters.
Melinda Merk, a Principal and member of the firm’s Wills, Trusts and Estates and Taxation groups, was selected in the category of Taxes / Estates / Trusts. Ms. Merk provides holistic multi-generational income and wealth transfer tax planning advice and estate and trust services to individuals, families, and business owners.
David E. Murphy, a senior associate, was selected for Labor and Employment Law.
Stephen C. Price, a Principal with the firm, was selected in the category of Real Estate / Land Use. Primarily from the Leesburg office of the firm, Mr. Price’s practice focuses on business litigation and transactions, with an emphasis on real property, condemnation, unfair competition, business tort, contractual and conservation easement matters.
Dianya Pu, an associate attorney, was selected for the field of Family Law / Domestic Relations.
Douglas J. Sanderson, a Principal with the firm, was recognized among the Legal Elite in the area of Family Law. Mr. Sanderson counsels and represents people who need legal assistance with family law matters, business transactions and commercial real estate.
Theresa D. Small, an associate attorney practicing in the areas of civil litigation and estate planning, was listed for the field of Civil Litigation.
Kathryn C. Swain, an associate attorney resident in the Fairfax office, was named among the best in the category of Taxes / Estates / Trusts.
Benjamin J. Trichilo, a Senior Counsel of the firm, was recognized among the best in the area of Civil Litigation. Mr. Trichilo has more than 40 years of experience handling personal injury and workers’ compensation cases.
William J. Walsh, a Principal and member of the Executive Committee of the firm, was recognized among the Legal Elite in the area of Corporate Counsel. Mr. Walsh advises clients with regard to business and commercial matters, including corporate law, information technology, and intellectual property, and also dedicates a significant portion of his practice to clients in the hospitality industry.
