Once Upon a Time, 20 Years Ago

Twenty years ago today, seven lawyers opened a new law firm in Virginia. Michael Goodman, one of our founding members, recalled that first day:  “I was outside of the shiny and new Markel American Building where we were the first tenants on our very first day. The phones in the office were not yet connected, so I was on my cellphone, madly calling clients to let them know that our doors were open; to send their cases our way; that we were here to provide cost-effective legal services in a culture where we took our clients and their woes seriously, but not ourselves.”

The name has changed over the years, and many wonderful attorneys and staff have left their mark on where Goodman Allen Donnelly is today – ranked as one of Virginia’s 100 Largest Law Firms, according to Virginia Lawyers Weekly. As we have evolved from our initial focus on medical malpractice to providing a full range of legal services, we remain committed to providing legal solutions that are cost-efficient, innovative, and client-centric. “At the end of the day, what we wanted was a good name in the community”, said Goodman.

Today, we take the opportunity to reflect on our history, look to our future, and express our gratitude to the Goodman Allen Donnelly family.  This morning, all of our employees were treated to cookie gift boxes as a tasty token of the firm’s appreciation for their hard work. In the weeks and years ahead, we will continue our commitment to providing exceptional legal services in a collaborative, collegial work environment.