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Four Pender & Coward Attorneys Recognized in 2013 Best Lawyers in America

01/03/13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 16, 2012

Virginia Beach, Va. – Four Pender & Coward attorneys have been selected to be included in The Best Lawyers in America, 19th Edition for outstanding work in their individual practice areas: Jo Ann Blair-Davis – Trusts and Estates; Richard E. Garriott Jr. – Family Law, Daniel M. Schieble – Personal Injury Litigation; and E. Diane Thompson – Trusts and Estates. Additionally, Thompson has also been voted Lawyer of the Yearby peers in her practice area.

Best Lawyers is the oldest and most highly respected peer review guide to the legal profession worldwide. The international program represents over 70 countries and is known for its relationships with the most prestigious lawyers from all over the world. The selection for Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous survey comprised of nearly 4 million confidential evaluations by the top attorneys in the country.

Jo Ann Blair-Davis, a firm shareholder, focuses her practice in the areas of Estate and Gift Tax Planning, Estate Administration and Probate and Succession Planning for Small Businesses. She has also been listed in “The Best Lawyers In America” since 1995.

Richard E. Garriott, Jr., a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, focuses his practice on Family Law, Domestic Relations and Litigation. He isAV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated and has been recognized as both a Virginia Super Lawyer (2011 and 2012) and as one of Virginia’s Legal Elite by Virginia Business Magazinein the Family/Domestic Relations category (2011). Additionally, he was honored among only 28 lawyers statewide as part of the 2009 Class of Leaders in the Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly.

Daniel M. Schieble, a firm shareholder and Officer and Director of the firm, focuses his practice on Personal Injury Litigation. He is also an author and lecturer of various professional and continuing legal education programs, including Successful Defense of Traumatic Brain Injury Claimsand Trying Cases in Virginia – Exhibits, Experts and Visual Aids.

E. Diane Thompson, a firm shareholder, focuses on the areas of Estate Planning, Trust and Estate Administration, Fiduciary Income Taxation, Federal Estate and Gift Taxation and Post-mortem Tax and Disclaimer Planning. She has been listed as a Virginia Super Lawyer each year since 2006 and has been recognized among the Legal Elite by Virginia Business. This is Thompson’s 20th year as a Best Lawyer in Trusts and Estates.

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About Pender & Coward

Pender & Coward is a full-service hometown law firm serving all of Hampton Roads, Virginia since 1889. With offices in Chesapeake, Suffolk and Virginia Beach, its more than 30 attorneys have extensive expertise representing individuals, families, small and medium sized businesses, national and regional corporations, municipalities, state constitutional officers and other governmental entities, financial institutions and other business entities of all kinds. For more information, visit www.pendercoward.com.