News
Michael E. Derdeyn selected to Boyd-Graves Conference
Flora Pettit is honored to announce that Michael E. Derdeyn has been selected as a member of the Boyd-Graves Conference. The Boyd-Graves Conference is an invitation-only group of leading lawyers, judges and law professors who meet annually, and by consensus of its membership recommend changes to the Code of Virginia and the Rules of Court relating to state court civil litigation. Mike is honored to serve as a member of the Boyd-Graves Conference.
Mike's practice focuses on the areas of real estate litigation, commercial litigation, and general business law. Mike’s litigation experience includes litigating claims for individuals and businesses in the areas of real estate (including actions to quiet title, boundary disputes, and easement disputes), construction, landlord-tenant, and commercial disputes. Mike regularly presents at continuing legal education seminars on real estate litigation issues.
Flora Pettit is a business and litigation law firm with 24 attorneys specializing in over 22 diverse practice areas. Flora Pettit attorneys excel at solving their clients’ toughest and most complex issues. Flora Pettit serves the Commonwealth of Virginia from offices in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg.
Michael E. Derdeyn Sworn in as Substitute Judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit
Flora Pettit is proud to announce that Mike Derdeyn was sworn in as a substitute judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit. The 16th Judicial Circuit of Virginia is a state trial court of general jurisdiction serving the city of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Louisa, Madison, and Orange. Mike’s appointment lasts for six years. Mike will continue with his busy private practice while taking some time to engage in this important public service.
Flora Pettit Attorneys named in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers In America
Flora Pettit announces that seven of its lawyers were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. The attorneys listed include Michael E. Derdeyn, John W. Flora, Richard H. Howard-Smith, Donald D. Long, Marc A. Peritz, Jennifer E. Shirkey, and Cathleen P. Welsh.
Flora Pettit Attorneys Selected to Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Star Lists
Flora Pettit is pleased to announce that four of its attorneys have been honored by selection for inclusion in the 2026 Virginia Super Lawyers lists. 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.
Thirteen Flora Pettit Lawyers Named “Legal Elite”
Flora Pettit proudly announces that thirteen of its attorneys have been named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2025 “Legal Elite,” an honor given to only 4.9 percent of the approximately 32,631 active Virginia State Bar members. The recognized attorneys represent a wide range of practice areas, including Intellectual Property, Civil Litigation, Family Law, Real Estate, Appellate Law, Labor and Employment, Cybersecurity and Technology, Construction Law, and Taxes, Estates, and Trusts.
Flora Pettit Attorneys Named in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
Flora Pettit announces that eight of its lawyers were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. The attorneys listed include Michael E. Derdeyn, John W. Flora, Richard H. Howard-Smith, Donald D. Long, Marc A. Peritz, Jennifer E. Shirkey, Cathleen P. Welsh, and J. Page Williams.
Flora Pettit Attorneys Honored
Flora Pettit is pleased to announce that three of its attorneys have been honored by selection for inclusion in the 2025 Virginia Super Lawyers list, a Thomson Reuters business. Two of Flora Pettit’s attorneys have been recognized for inclusion in the “Virginia Super Lawyers” list and one of its attorneys has been named…
Eleven Flora Pettit Lawyers Named “Legal Elite”
Flora Pettit proudly announces that eleven of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2024 “Legal Elite” survey conducted annually by Virginia Business magazine. Statewide, only 4.7% or 1,530 lawyers of the approximately 32,507 active Virginia State Bar members were named this year.
Flora Pettit Attorneys Named in 2025 Best Lawyers in America Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch In America John W. Flora Named Best Lawyers 2025 “Lawyer Of The Year”
Flora Pettit announces that eight of its lawyers were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America® and one of its attorneys has been named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America list (COPYRIGHT 2013 BY WOODWARD/WHITE, INC., OF AIKEN, SC). The attorneys listed include Michael E. Derdeyn, John W. Flora, Richard H. Howard-Smith, Donald D. Long, Marc A. Peritz, Jennifer E. Shirkey, Elizabeth C. Southall, Cathleen P. Welsh, and J. Page Williams.
Mike Derdeyn Consulted Regarding Deed Restrictions
Mike Derdeyn was interviewed by Law360, Portfolio Media. Inc., regarding his experience with the enforcement of deed restrictions in Virginia.
Flora Pettit Attorneys Named in 2024 Best Lawyers in America® Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
Flora Pettit announces that nine of its lawyers were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in America®
Flora Pettit Attorneys Honored by Selection for Inclusion in the 2023 Virginia Super Lawyers List
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.
Eleven Flora Pettit Lawyers Named “Legal Elite”
Flora Pettit proudly announces that eleven of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2022 “Legal Elite” survey conducted annually by Virginia Business magazine.
Flora Pettit Attorneys Honored by Selection for Inclusion in the 2022 Virginia Super Lawyers List
Flora Pettit is pleased to announce that five of its attorneys have been honored by selection for inclusion in the 2022 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 two of its attorneys have 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.
Eight Flora Pettit Lawyers Named “Legal Elite”
Flora Pettit proudly announces that eight of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2021 “Legal Elite” survey conducted annually by Virginia Business magazine. Statewide, only 4.08% or 1,271 lawyers of the approximately 31,151 active Virginia State Bar members were named this year.
Eight Flora Pettit Attorneys Honored by Best Lawyers in America
Flora Pettit announces that eight of its lawyers were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers in America®. (COPYRIGHT 2013 BY WOODWARD/WHITE, INC., OF AIKEN, SC). The attorneys listed include Michael E. Derdeyn, John W. Flora, Richard H. Howard- Smith, Donald D. Long, Jennifer E. Shirkey, Bill Shmidheiser, Cathleen P. Welsh and J. Page Williams.
Flora Pettit Attorneys Honored
Flora Pettit is pleased to announce that six of its attorneys have been honored by selection for inclusion in the 2021 Virginia Super Lawyers list, a Thomson Reuters business. Four of Flora Pettit’s attorneys have been recognized for inclusion in the “Virginia Super Lawyers” list and two of its attorneys have 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.
Fourteen Flora Pettit Lawyers Named “Legal Elite”
Flora Pettit proudly announces that fourteen of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2020 “Legal Elite” survey conducted annually by Virginia Business magazine. Statewide, only 4.2% or 1,377 lawyers of the approximately 32,314 active Virginia State Bar members were named this year.
Nine Flora Pettit Attorneys Named in the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers in America
Flora Pettit announces that nine of its lawyers were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2021 edition of Best Lawyers in America®.
Flora Pettit is Pleased to Announce that Four of its Attorneys Have Been Honored by Selection for Inclusion in the 2020 Virginia Super Lawyers List
Flora Pettit is pleased to announce that four of its attorneys have been honored by selection for inclusion in the 2020 Virginia Super Lawyers list, a Thomson Reuters business.