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LYNCHBURG and DANVILLE, VA – PLDR Law begins 2025 by welcoming a new executive team to lead its strategy and operations as the Firm celebrates continued growth in the Central and Southern Virginia regions.
Steven Gould, based in PLDR's Danville office, begins his tenure as PLDR Law's President and Chief Executive Officer. Steven will oversee and manage all legal and business operations for the Firm, implementing strategies to realize the vision of the board of directors. "We are incredibly pleased that Steven has accepted this role," says outgoing president Scott Kowalski. "His approach to legal work, his community connectedness, and his ability to lift his colleagues to their highest potential is a rare combination. PLDR is fortunate to embark on a new phase of growth under his leadership."
Scott Kowalski, President of the Firm since April 2022, assumes the role of chairman of PLDR Law's board of directors, continuing to guide the Firm's strategy and focus on regional growth. Steven Gould comments on Scott Kowalski's impact: "As PLDR responds to the call to provide our clients and communities with the legal services they demand, we are eager to build on our recent successes. Scott's leadership the past two and a half years has ushered in a new era for PLDR Law, including the Firm’s expansion into Southern Virginia, and we are grateful that his vision will continue to shape our strategy through his new role as board chairman."
In addition, two other executive roles have been created and begin work in 2025.
Chad Mooney, PLDR's litigation practice leader, now serves as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President. "Chad has both a natural eye toward business development and a successful portfolio of marketing wins. PLDR is pleased to leverage his expertise in this space as we strengthen our business practices and anticipate continued growth," says Steven Gould.
PLDR Director Andrew Pearson will advise the Firm as its first Ethics Counsel. "When law firms experience the growth we have enjoyed, additional needs arise related to meeting our legal and ethical obligations," explains Gould. "Andrew fills this role for us with laser-sharp focus, cementing a strong ethical foundation upon which we can achieve our Firm's strategic vision and provide our clients with the representation they deserve."
"PLDR Law is a shining example of what law firms should be doing nowadays," Kowalski continues. "Strong business practices enhance our ability to provide exceptional legal services and successful outcomes for our clients. Our new structure readies us for this year's exciting opportunities. We remain grateful to all of our attorneys and staff as well as our clients, colleagues, and community partners for their support and dedication."
For additional information, please contact Megan Gould, PLDR Law's Chief Operating Officer, at mgould (at) pldrlaw.com or 434.846.2768.
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Eight PLDR Law attorneys have been named among Virginia’s “Legal Elite” for 2024 by Virginia Business magazine. Virginia Business annually polls more than 14,000 attorneys and more than 50 law firms in the Commonwealth, asking them to select from their peers the best lawyers in each practice category.
Scott W. Kowalski - Construction Law
Steven P. Gould - Labor and Employment
Chad A. Mooney - Civil Litigation
Jason W. Todd - Criminal Law
Mary B. Chamberlin - Family and Domestic Relations
Sarah W. Houck - Family and Domestic Relations
Frank W. Morrison - Family and Domestic Relations
Mark A. Burgin - Young Lawyer
We congratulate these members of our team and encourage you to reach out to us if you are interested in working with any of them. 434-846-2768
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PLDR Law to Launch January 1 with 16 Attorneys in Lynchburg, Danville Offices
LYNCHBURG and DANVILLE, VA – Petty, Livingston, Dawson & Richards, P.C. (“Petty Livingston”) and Southern Virginia Legal PLLC (“SoVa Legal”) today announced the merger of their firms, effective January 1, 2024, to become PLDR Law.
The combination of Petty Livingston and SoVa Legal will create a 16-lawyer firm operating from offices in Lynchburg and Danville and serving communities across Central and Southern Virginia.
This includes the addition of Holly Trent, an experienced health care attorney who most recently served as senior vice president and chief legal officer for Centra Health, who will join the firm’s employment law group and develop and lead the firm’s health care practice.
Scott Kowalski, President of Petty Livingston, said: “We are thrilled to announce this merger of two accomplished firms. Petty Livingston has experienced significant growth the last two years, and SoVa Legal has developed a tremendous reputation assisting clients who are helping to drive economic revitalization in the Danville area. By combining our resources and talents, we can expand our offerings to clients even further. The addition of Holly Trent is a key component of that expansion.”
Steven Gould, founder and managing attorney of SoVa Legal, said: “We have enjoyed a strong collaboration with the attorneys at Petty Livingston in recent years to supplement the business, employment, and estate planning services we offer to our clients. The opportunity to join forces allows us to ensure that the Danville market continues to be served by a robust, full-service firm that can grow with our community.”
Jim Richards, named partner with Petty Livingston, said: “More and more, the futures of communities across Central and Southern Virginia are linked to one another. Creating a truly regional firm that can meet the diverse needs of not just our cities but the towns and rural areas around us just makes sense.”
Holly Trent said: “I am excited to join the team at PLDR Law in January and to assist businesses and professionals across the region. Health care law is increasingly complex, and I look forward to using my experience across employment, regulatory, and health care matters to help clients navigate this world.”
Kowalski will serve as the president of the combined regional firm, and Gould will chair its transactional practice and manage the Danville office.
For additional information, please contact Megan Gould, PLDR Law's Chief Operating Officer, at mgould (at) pldrlaw.com or 919.428.4589.
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PLDR Law is pleased to announce that Scott W. Kowalski and Paul Feinman have been named to the 2023 Legal Elite in Construction Law and Bankruptcy/Creditors' Rights, respectively, by Virginia Business Magazine.
The 2023 Legal Elite list is Virginia Business magazine's 24th annual report, is determined by peer votes, and is divided into 21 specialties. Virginia Business polled thousands of attorneys in the Commonwealth asking them to select from their peers from the best lawyers in each practice category. PLDR Law is proud to offer legal services of the highest caliber to our region, both in these categories and in all of the practice areas we offer.
To connect with Scott and PLDR's Construction Law team, visit here, and to connect with Paul and our Creditors' Rights + Bankruptcy team, visit here.
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PLDR Law is pleased to announce that Scott W. Kowalski has been selected as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg for 2023-2024.
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We're thrilled that our very own Associate Attorney, Jason Todd, is a member of the Central Virginia United Way Board.
At PLDR, we believe in giving back to our community, and we're proud to share that we're taking part in the Central Virginia United Way Food Drive. As the fall season begins, let's come together to support those in need. Stay tuned for updates on how you can contribute to this fantastic cause.
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PLDR attorney Luke Malloy has joined the board of the Free Clinic of Central Virginia. The mission of the Free Clinic is to ensure high-quality, compassionate, and comprehensive healthcare for every member of our community. PLDR attorneys take time to give back to the community.
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PLDR was pleased to continue its support of the Corvias Foundation at an event in Pinehurst this week. The Corvias Foundation was founded in 2006 to provide scholarships and grants to children and spouses of deployed US servicemen and servicewomen. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $15 million in scholarships and grants to military-connected students to support their education, with scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. PLDR has been a sponsor of the Foundation for many years and we have been awed by the dedication and drive of these scholarship recipients to expand their education and to serve their communities.
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At the Lynchburg Bar Association's annual meeting, the Virginia Legal Aid Society awarded PLDR Law its annual Pro Bono Award in recognition of free legal services donated to citizens in the greater Lynchburg community. VLAS's Executive Director, David Neumeyer, said the value of the services exceeded $14,000. Also, Chad A. Mooney was recognized for his service as the LBA President for 2022-2023.
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PLDR is pleased to announce that Frank Morrison and Scott W. Kowalski have again been selected for inclusion in the Virginia Super Lawyers list for Family Law and Construction Litigation, respectively. This is a recognition that Frank and Scott have been honored to receive for a number of years. Attorneys selected for inclusion are nominated by their peers and recognized for their outstanding professional achievement in their area of practice.
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Scott Kowalski, along with Tom Wolf of Miles & Stockbridge, presented the Recent Developments in Construction and Public Contracts in Virginia to the Virginia State Bar's Annual Conference at the Boar's Head last weekend. Mark Burgin was a co-author on the Written Materials for the presentation.
