Author Archives: Protorae Law

1. Protorae Law Welcomes New Attorneys David Knasel and Justine Sennott to Trusts and Estates Practice

   November 2, 2018 4:27 pm Leave a Comment

   Protorae Law PLLC is pleased to announce the addition of new member David M. Knasel and staff attorney Justine M. Sennott to the firm’s Trusts and Estates practice.

   As head of the Trusts and Estates practice, Dave focuses on estate planning and administration, while also practicing in the areas of Corporate and Business Entities, and Business Transactions where he assists clients with business succession planning.  Prior to joining Protorae, Dave founded and ran his own law practice, at Dominion Legal PLC, focused on estate and business law.  Dave has a passion for assisting business owners create integrated plans for their families, personal wealth, and businesses. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Virginia, where he earned both his B.A. and J.D. degrees.

   Justine’s estate planning practice includes wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and advance Medical directives. She has extensive estate administration experience in Fairfax and Arlington Counties, with decedent’s estates ranging in value from several million dollars to insolvency. Prior to joining Protorae, Justine worked at Dominion Legal PLC in addition to serving as a Trust Officer for The Northern Trust Company in Chicago, Illinois. Justine earned an LL.M. in Taxation from DePaul University College of Law, a J.D. from Marquette University School of Law and a B.A., cum laude, from Marquette University.

   “Dave’s 25 years of experience offers clients the opportunity to align their personal and business objectives—whether its strategic business succession planning, or personal family planning,” said managing member James B. Kinsel.  “We are pleased to welcome Dave and Justine’s talents and expertise to serve as the driving force for this practice area.”

   The firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice provides estate planning services that include wealth transfers, business successions, and spousal support, along with incapacity, charitable, special needs, and legacy protection planning.  The Trusts and Estates team also works closely with our Business Transactions practice to ensure that both personal and business objectives are aligned for clients who require strategic business succession planning.  The Trusts and Estates Practice offers administration services in addition to trusts and estates litigation.

   Established in 2010, Protorae Law is a Tysons, Virginia based business law firm which focuses its practice on Government Contracts, Corporate & Business Entities, Employment Law, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, Real Estate and Land Use, Architecture, Engineering & Construction Law, Trusts and Estates and Business Litigation.

2. Government Contracts Partner Devon Hewitt Appointed as SECAF General Counsel

   August 23, 2018 2:44 pm Leave a Comment

   On Tuesday, August 21, 2018, Protorae Law’s Government Contracts partner Devon Hewitt was appointed as the Small and Emerging Contractors Advisory Forum’s (SECAF) General Counsel for the upcoming 2018 – 2019 year.  Prior to her appointment, Hewitt has served on the SECAF Board of Directors for five years, playing an active role in the organization’s annual Government Contractor Awards Gala which the firm also sponsors.

   “I am honored to have been appointed SECAF’s General Counsel. SECAF champions the “little guy” which is essential in an industry dominated by giants. I’m happy that I get to continue to be part of that mission in this new role,” said Hewitt.

   Founded in 2001, SECAF enables small and emerging government contractors to achieve maximum growth rates in a highly competitive marketplace. Providing members with access to government agencies, thought leaders and industry experts as well as advocacy opportunities and education, the group is an important resource for a growing company.  SECAF also serves medium to large government contractors, providing invaluable introductions to specialized small businesses that enable the overall contracting community to work successfully together.  With more than 350 members, the organization boasts one of the highest retention rates in the Washington, DC metropolitan region.

3. Protorae Law Recognized Among Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s Largest Law Firms for 2018

   May 22, 2018 1:17 pm Leave a Comment

   For the third consecutive year Protorae Law, which was founded in 2010, was named one of “Virginia’s Largest Law Firms” for 2018 by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. This annual survey identifies the 75 largest law firms across Virginia.

   Over the past year Protorae Law has added five attorneys across three practice areas and recently completed an office expansion to accommodate its rapid growth.

4. Two Protorae Law Attorneys Recognized Among the 2018 Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

   April 23, 2018 12:52 pm Leave a Comment

   Protorae Law is pleased to announce that two attorneys were selected to the 2018 Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars listing: Member Antigone G. Peyton, Super Lawyer and Member Rebecca Bricken Segal, Rising Star.  Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

   Antigone Peyton leads the firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology Law practice. She focuses on complex privacy and cybersecurity issues, and data management projects for billion dollar corporations, in addition to IP portfolio management and growth strategies which include patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights.

   Rebecca Segal is a seasoned attorney focuses on business litigation, advising large, mid-tier, and small companies on business disputes by facilitating problem solving both inside and outside the courtroom. Segal Co-Chairs the firm’s Business Litigation practice.

   Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area.

5. Eight Protorae Law Attorneys Recognized Among 2017 Virginia Legal Elite

   December 7, 2017 1:09 pm Leave a Comment

   Virginia Business magazine, in association with the Virginia Bar Association, has named eight Protorae Law partners across six practice areas to its 2017 Virginia Legal Elite listing.

   • Brian F. Chandler– Labor/Employment
   • John H. Hawthorne– Real Estate/Land Use
   • Devon E. Hewitt– Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative
   • Kathleen A. Kelley– Business Law
   • James B. Kinsel– Civil Litigation
   • Kandis M. Koustenis– Intellectual Property
   • Antigone G. Peyton– Intellectual Property
   • Rebecca Bricken Segal– Young Lawyer

   Attorneys throughout the state were asked to nominate their peers in 18 practice categories.

   “Our firm is honored to have attorneys recognized among the Virginia Business Legal Elite for a third consecutive year. We continually strive to address our clients’ sophisticated legal needs in business transactions and disputes, and we appreciate being recognized for our services,” said Managing Member James Kinsel.

6. Protorae Law Recognized Among Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s Largest Law Firms for 2017

   May 3, 2017 4:05 pm Leave a Comment

   Protorae Law, which was founded in 2010, was named one of “Virginia’s Largest Law Firms” for 2017 by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. This annual survey identifies the 75 largest law firms across Virginia.

   Over the past year Protorae Law has added nine attorneys across five practice areas.  This growth also included the addition of two practice areas: Architecture, Engineering & Construction Law, and Intellectual Property and Technology Law.

7. Four Protorae Law Attorneys Recognized in 2017 Virginia & Washington DC Super Lawyers and Rising Star Listings

   April 24, 2017 4:24 pm Leave a Comment

   Protorae Law is pleased to announce that four attorneys were selected to the 2017 Virginia & Washington DC Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists: Member Antigone G. Peyton, Super Lawyer; Member Rebecca Bricken Segal, Rising Star; Senior Counsel Alison R. Mullins, Rising Star; and Associate Aaron C. Cummings, Rising Star. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

   Antigone Peyton leads the firm’s Intellectual Property and Technology Law practice. She focuses on IP litigation and portfolio management including growth strategies involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights. Her litigation and counseling practices also include unfair competition, DMCA violations, computer fraud, and technology law issues including social media, IoT, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.

   Rebecca Segal is a seasoned attorney focuses on business litigation, advising large, mid-tier, and small companies on business disputes by facilitating problem solving both inside and outside the courtroom. Segal Co-Chairs the firm’s Business Litigation practice.

    

   Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area.

8. Five Protorae Law Attorneys Recognized Among 2016 Virginia Legal Elite

   December 12, 2016 6:35 pm Leave a Comment

   Virginia Business magazine, in association with the Virginia Bar Association, has named five Protorae Law partners across five practice areas to its 2016 Virginia Legal Elite listing.

   • Brian F. Chandler– Labor/Employment
   • John H. Hawthorne– Real Estate/Land Use
   • Devon E. Hewitt– Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative
   • James B. Kinsel– Civil Litigation
   • Rebecca Bricken Segal– Young Lawyer

   Attorneys throughout the state were asked to nominate their peers in 18 practice categories.

   “It is a great honor for Protorae Law to have so many of its attorneys recognized by Virginia Business as Legal Elite.  We work hard to gain the respect of the business community for our service and appreciate this recognition,” said Managing Member Brian Chandler.

9. Two Protorae Law Attorneys Named as 2016 Rising Stars by Super Lawyers

   June 7, 2016 9:11 am Leave a Comment

   Protorae Law attorney’s Rebecca Bricken Segal and Aaron C. Cummings were both recognized as “Rising Stars” in the 2016 Washington DC and Virginia Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

   Ms. Segal, a seasoned attorney who focuses on business litigation, advises large, mid-tier, and small companies on business disputes by facilitating problem solving both inside and outside the courtroom. In 2015, Ms. Segal served as lead trial counsel in a two-week jury trial resulting in a multi-million dollar verdict for an international telecom business.

   Mr. Cummings focuses his practice on litigation matters including breach of contract actions, commercial disputes, business tort cases, and government contracts. He has successfully represented Fortune 100 companies, state governments, hedge funds, emerging technology companies, and nonprofit organizations in high-stakes litigation at the trial and appellate level in state and federal courts.

   Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area.

10. Protorae Law Co-Founder Brian Chandler Guest on Executive Leaders Radio

    April 28, 2016 3:37 pm Leave a Comment

    Protorae Law Co-Founder Brian Chandler was interviewed as a guest on the March 24^th, 2016 taping of Executive Leaders Radio.

    Executive Leaders Radio is dedicated to honoring individuals who have risen to leadership roles through hard work and dedication. This highly popular radio program shares the stories and wisdom of leaders with a diverse listener audience with the goal of helping others achieve the level of success.

    Executive Leaders Radio is broadcast on WFED 1500AM Sundays from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM and streams live at federalnewsradio.com.  Federal News Radio is heard throughout the Greater Metropolitan Washington Area at 1500 AM and in Frederick, Maryland at 820 AM.