Flora Pettit proudly announces that thirteen of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 “Legal Elite” survey conducted annually by Virginia Business magazine. Statewide, only 4.9% or 1,605 lawyers of the approximately 32,631 active Virginia State Bar members were named this year.

The honored lawyers and the expertise for which they were recognized are Patrick C. Asplin (Intellectual Property), Michael E. Derdeyn (Civil Litigation) Ashley T. Hart (Young Lawyer), Richard H. Howard-Smith (Taxes/Estates/Trusts), Marc A. Peritz (Appellate Law) Seth J. Ragosta (Family Law/Domestic Relations), Scott M. Raney (Real Estate/Land Use), Nancy R. Schlichting (Bankruptcy Creditors Rights), Jennifer E. Shirkey (Taxes/Estates/Trusts), Andrew B. Stockment (Cybersecurity/Data Privacy/Technology), Christopher R. Tate (Construction Law), Matthew Von Schuch (Taxes/Estates/Trusts) and Cathleen P. Welsh (Labor/Employment Law).

Flora Pettit is a business and litigation law firm with offices in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg, Virginia. With its 27 attorneys specializing in over 22 diverse practice areas, Flora Pettit serves clients throughout Virginia and beyond in both routine and complex transactional and litigation matters. Flora Pettit’s attorneys are also regularly included on Virginia Super Lawyers® and Best Lawyers in America® lists.

Phone: (434) 979-1400
Fax: (434) 977-5109
530 East Main Street
P.O. Box 2057
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902

Phone: (540) 437-3100
Fax: (540) 437-3101
90 North Main Street, Suite 201
P.O. Box 1287
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22803