Department profile
McGuireWoods LLP

Litigation: Appellate

USA Guide 2026 : Virginia

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McGuireWoods LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by McGuireWoods LLP

Our 250 commercial litigators – the largest team in the firm – offer clients the skills, resources and decades of experience necessary to successfully resolve their most complex, high-stakes business disputes. Our team delivered a series of major victories in 2017 and continues to handle our clients’ most sophisticated business, commercial, class action, financial services and securities matters. We represent Fortune 50 clients in all areas of litigation, from bet-the-company class actions to investigations into individual customer disputes, and everything in between. We are especially strong in the securities, financial services, telecommunications and energy sectors. In each of these industries, we have served as effective business partners with our clients, demonstrated our courtroom prowess, proven our ability to avoid court when beneficial and showcased our strength in e-discovery.

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Litigation: Appellate - Virginia

What the Team is Known For

McGuireWoods is a preeminent local firm with a deep bench of litigators, offering international coverage for the full range of litigation services and is regarded highly for its handling of high exposure, high value disputes globally. The team offers deep expertise in general commercial, government investigation and white-collar criminal cases. It serves major clients in the financial, environmental, manufacturing and healthcare industries. The team also has a notable litigation practice in the energy and environment spaces.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • McGuireWoods defended a group of US retailers, including American Eagle, J Crew, The Gap and Kohl's, following a putative class action alleging the company's violated the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law by charging sales tax on face masks.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • McGuireWoods' advocacy is strategic, creative and kind. Their research and preparation leaves no stone unturned.

    Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

  • The litigation capabilities of the departments are superior. Communication between the department and corporate decision-makers is superior across the board.

    Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

  • McGuireWoods' respect for the client is exceptional - the client is exceptionally well included. The firm's writing for briefs and pleadings is most extraordinary. The research is first rate and the arguments in court are first rate.

    Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Brian Schmalzbach
    Brian Schmalzbach

    Brian Schmalzbach

    Brian Schmalzbach in an expert appellate attorney with a wealth of expertise in handling business appeals in state and federal courts nationwide.

    • Brian’s advocacy is strategic and creative.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • John Adams
    John Adams

    John Adams

    John Adams is held in high esteem for his handling of white-collar criminal defense mandates, maintaining a strong track record of success in both courtroom proceedings and government investigations. He frequently acts for major financial institutions and household-name companies.

    • John is the best. He's very smart and savvy - when it comes to overall strategy, he has a good insights and is good with big-picture strategy.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Laura Colombell Marshall
    Laura Colombell Marshall

    Laura Colombell Marshall

    Laura Colombell Marshall has substantial experience in internal investigations, DOJ and SEC proceedings, and fraud and abuse cases. Her client base includes real estate, finance, education and construction entities, as well as government contractors.

    • She's tremendous and great to work with. She's very conscientious and has great relationships with clients.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • She's fantastic!

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Matthew A. Fitzgerald
    Matthew A. Fitzgerald

    Matthew A. Fitzgerald

    Matthew Fitzgerald is co-leader of the firm's appeals and issues group. He expertly represents clients in complex appellate matters in both state and federal courts.

    • Matthew is a talented appellate litigator. He is able to grasp complex technical and legal matters quickly and translate difficult topics into easily-digestible concepts.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • Matthew has an amazing breadth of knowledge and experience in the appellate area – given his expertise, he is able to quickly weigh in on issues and think through nuanced strategic issues.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Robert W Loftin
    Robert W Loftin

    Robert W Loftin

    Robert Loftin is an experienced appellate lawyer who handles a range of cases across the corporate, energy and healthcare sectors.

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  • Benjamin L. Hatch
    Benjamin L. Hatch

    Benjamin L. Hatch

    Benjamin Hatch draws upon his experience as a federal prosecutor to advise clients on a range of government investigations and white-collar crime matters, including those with a national security element. He has particular expertise in the transportation sector.

    • Ben Hatch is excellent.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Jonathan Blank
    Jonathan Blank

    Jonathan Blank

    Jonathan Blank is often sought out by energy industry clients and has experience litigating a wide range of issues, including commercial and securities claims.

    • Jonathan is one of the best attorneys I have ever worked with.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • Jonathan Blank defines legal and personal excellence.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Kathleen Dougherty
    Kathleen Dougherty

    Kathleen Dougherty

    Kathleen Dougherty is a highly regarded criminal defense attorney who offers wide-ranging skills in handling internal and regulatory investigations and defending clients facing tax, healthcare, securities and False Claims Act fraud claims.

    • She's a tremendous lawyer and a former federal prosecutor. She's absolutely someone you want if you know that a case is going into litigation.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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Ranked Individuals at McGuireWoods LLP (8)

Virginia

  • Profile image of John Adams

    John Adams

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

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  • Profile image of Laura Colombell Marshall

    Laura Colombell Marshall

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

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  • Profile image of Benjamin L. Hatch

    Benjamin L. Hatch

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

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  • Profile image of Kathleen Dougherty

    Kathleen Dougherty

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

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Members

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