Flora Pettit is pleased to announce that four of its attorneys have been honored by selection for inclusion in the 2023 Virginia Super Lawyers list, a Thomson Reuters business. Three of Flora Pettit’s attorneys have been recognized for inclusion in the “Virginia Super Lawyers” list and one of its attorneys has been named to the “Virginia Rising Stars” list. Super Lawyers annually selects lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement through a rigorous process that includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. To be selected as a Rising Star, lawyers must either be 40 years old or younger, or have been in practice for 10 years or fewer.

The selected lawyers and the area of law for which they were recognized are:

MICHAEL E. DERDEYN (GENERAL LITIGATION) – Mike Derdeyn has a diverse business and real estate litigation practice representing clients in litigation before federal and state courts, including the Virginia Supreme Court and in dispute resolution proceedings. Mike’s litigation experience includes litigating claims for individuals and for businesses in the areas of commercial litigation, real estate, construction, landlord-tenant law, employment, shareholder and other commercial disputes.

BILL SHMIDHEISER (BUSINESS LITIGATION) – Bill Shmidheiser specializes in complicated financial messes, including disputes among shareholders and partners in businesses, divorces, real estate disputes, and representation of creditors in foreclosures, difficult collections, bankruptcies and workouts. Bill has substantial trial experience as lead counsel in scores of commercial cases, both jury and non-jury trials

CATHLEEN P. WELSH (EMPLOYMENT & LABOR) – Cathy Welsh helps clients work through complicated employment situations including investigating employee misconduct; understanding and managing employee leaves of absence and requests for accommodation; I-9 and immigration law compliance, exempt/nonexempt classification and pay procedures; and employee discipline and termination. She has assisted clients of all sizes from small businesses not covered by most federal employment laws to healthcare, manufacturing and hospitality clients with thousands of employees. She has also represented governmental employers and federal contractors who have additional compliance obligations.

ASHLEY T. HART (VIRGINIA RISING STARS – CIVIL LITIGATION DEFENSE) – Ashley Hart focuses her practice in the areas of commercial litigation and insurance coverage and defense. She has litigated cases across Virginia, in both state and federal courts, involving issues such as personal injury defense, products liability, workers’ compensation, breach of contract, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, and trademark infringement. Ashley takes a detail-oriented approach to her cases and embraces analyzing complex legal questions..