Melissa Katz

I am a civil trial attorney licensed to practice in state and federal courts throughout Virginia and in D.C. I am "AV" rated by Martindale-Hubbell and recognized as a AV Preeminent Attorney as well as by a Virginia and Washington DC Super Lawyer and Virginia's Top Rated Lawyers. My areas of practice include tort law (complex personal injury/motor vehicle accidents/slip and fall/premises liability/defective products/construction accidents, and common carrier defense). I primarily defend individuals, self-insured entities, and companies in civil actions. I am a member of the DC Defense Lawyers Association, DRI and the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys ("VADA"). I am a Past President of VADA and a regular contributor to the VADA Defense LIne. I was appointed several years ago by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia to serve and am a present member of the Virginia Model Jury Instructions Committee. I am a Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation and serve on the Executive Board of the Fairfax Law Foundation as Treasurer. I attended the University of Virginia and obtained my undergraduate degree in American Government. After attending the University of Richmond School of Law, I clerked for Justice Leroy Rountree Hassell during his first year on the Virginia Supreme Court before joining my present firm. I was a CrossFit enthusiast, having previously co-owned two boxes with my husband and serving as a certified Level I and II coach. Now, I enjoy Orange Theory Fitness and exploring the Norwegian 4x4 . I also enjoy hiking, mountain biking, walking my dogs, volunteering at the Humane Society of Fairfax, training and running 1/2 marathons and marathons with my daughters. Harrisonburg and Richmond 2025 races are on our horizon.