Recent Notables
Recognition
The following Christian & Barton attorneys were included on the Virginia Business Legal Elite list for 2019: Christopher M. Gill, Michael C. Guanzon, W. David Harless, Jonathan M. Joseph, Craig T. Merritt, Robert D. Michaux, Michael W. Smith and Henry I Willett III.
Leadership
Christian & Barton litigation partner Ford Stephens was elected to a three-year term as a National Director on the board of directors for DRI, an organization of civil litigation defense attorneys and in-house counsel. Stephens is a member of DRI’s Membership Committee, is vice chair of the Insurance Roundtable Steering committee, and a former chair of the DRI Life, Health and Disability Committee. His practice focuses on insurance law, appeals and commercial litigation.
In the News
An article by Virginia Grigg on the changing definition of the unauthorized practice of law, “The Practice of Law or Not the Practice of Law, That is the Question,” was recently posted to the Wealth Strategies Journal, an online resource devoted to estate planning and administration topics.
Guanzon Joins the Firm's Corporate, Public Sector and Health Care Departments
Christian & Barton welcomes Michael C. Guanzon to the firm as a partner. Guanzon is an experienced business and commercial transaction attorney with a significant background in health law and regulatory matters. In his business practice he advises on general corporate, regulatory and securities matters; complex commercial transactions; and mergers and acquisitions. He currently serves as general counsel to a regional industrial facility authority and has deep public sector experience. This includes advice on matters such as Freedom of Information requests and compliance; open meeting, public procurement and conflict-of-interest laws; and economic development and employment issues municipalities face. His health law experience includes medical practice acquisitions; employment issues; contract review and negotiations; medical staff credentialing; and anti-kickback and HIPAA matters. Guanzon has held various senior leadership positions with the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Bar Association, and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Virginia. He holds degrees from the University of Richmond School of Law and the University of Virginia.
Recognition
The following Christian & Barton attorneys were selected for The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 recognition: J. Edward Betts (antitrust law); Peter E. Broadbent Jr. (trademark law); Christopher M. Gill (real estate law); W. David Harless (bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, employment law-management, litigation-labor & employment, personal injury litigation-defendants); R. Braxton Hill IV (commercial litigation, litigation-intellectual property); Paul W. Jacobs II (commercial litigation); Jonathan M. Joseph (health care); Craig T. Merritt (bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, First Amendment law, litigation-First Amendment, litigation-patent, media law); Louis R. Monacell (communications law, energy law); Edward L. Petrini (energy law); Michael W. Smith (bet-the-company litigation, commercial litigation, litigation-banking & finance, litigation-construction, litigation-intellectual property); E. Ford Stephens (insurance law, litigation-insurance); and C. Daniel Stevens (trusts and estates). According to Best Lawyers, the lists are compiled based on a peer review evaluation process.
Archived News & Notables
These items have been provided as an informational service and do not constitute legal counsel or advice, which can only be rendered in the context of specific factual situations. If a legal issue should arise, please contact an attorney listed or retain the assistance of other competent legal counsel. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case and results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case undertaken.