Allen & Allen: Our Story

1931

George E. Allen relocated his firm to Richmond, VA in 1931 and expanded the practice by bringing his three sons aboard. The name transitioned to Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen as a result. True to his character, Mr. Allen chose to make these major changes to his firm during the Great Depression because he believed that doing what was right and most beneficial for those he served was worth the risk. His choice proved a beneficial one and the relocation allowed the mission of the practice to reach more people in need of its services and also provided a broader variety of cases from which its attorneys gained invaluable experience.

1951

The Allen Law Firm challenged Ford Motor Company in a “David versus Goliath” product liability case (Mahone v. Ford Motor Company) in 1951. Thorough investigation of a car crash concluded that a tire failure and the serious injuries of those in the vehicle that resulted from it were caused by faulty manufacturing of the car’s steering components.

This landmark victory was influential in the decision to focus the firm’s practice exclusively on personal injury.

1964

In 1964, the American College of Trial Lawyers presented George E. Allen with the very first Griffin Bell Award for Courageous Advocacy. This award honors outstanding courage demonstrated by trial lawyers in unpopular or difficult cases. The standards for this award are so exceptional, that several years often pass before a new recipient is named. George E. Allen received this award for recognition of his untiring dedication to justice during his work defending a member of a minority group against unjust charges.

1973

George E. Allen, III, was the first of the 3rd generation of Allens to join the family practice in 1973. "Ted" Allen quickly earned a national reputation representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases, and in 1980, became the first member of the Virginia Bar to be Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

1988

George Allen, Jr., helped to found the Southern Trial Lawyers Association in 1988. The group exemplifies professionalism, and its high ethical standards echo those of Allen & Allen. The Southern Trial Lawyers Association also shares the Allen Law Firm’s mission to promote education and philanthropy within the community.

The prestigious STLA War Horse Award was presented to George Allen, Jr. in 1990. The award honors an attorney who has been actively practicing law for over 30 years, who is recognized as a top courtroom advocate, who has contributed significantly to the teaching of trial advocacy through seminars and educational programs, and who is considered a genuine leader and true character of his time.

W. Coleman Allen, Jr. carries on this legacy as the 2018 recipient of the STLA War Horse Award.

2005

The medical malpractice team of Allen & Allen won a record-setting verdict (Allen v. Mid-Atlantic Health Alliance, Inc., et al.) for a client in 2005 who was disabled due to undiagnosed swelling of the spinal cord.

The victory was recognized by Virginia Lawyers Weekly as the largest medical malpractice verdict in state history at that time.

2011

In 2011, more than 100 years after George E. Allen began his law firm, Scott Fitzgerald was the first 4th generation Allen to join the practice with a commitment to carry on its legacy of excellence.

4th generation Allen Philip Wilson “Wil” Van Winkle followed in his footsteps and joined the firm in 2018. Building on this tradition, Parker E. Allen joined the practice in 2021.

2013

In 2013, the Allen Law Firm broke its previous medical malpractice record (set in 2005) when we obtained a $25 million jury verdict for a client who was misdiagnosed for a heart condition. This outcome now stands as one of the largest medical malpractice verdicts in Virginia state court history.

2014

In 2014, a team of Allen & Allen attorneys obtained a $22 million settlement on behalf of a boy who suffered paralysis and brain injuries in a crash with a dump truck.

At the time, this recovery was the largest personal injury settlement in Virginia history involving a motor vehicle accident.

2018

In 2018, Edward L. Allen, a 30-year veteran at Allen & Allen and third generation Allen family member, was named president of the Allen Law Firm. Edward is the first Allen family member to hold this position since Elizabeth Allen completed her service in 2007.

An accomplished litigator and talented attorney, Edward plans to propel the Firm forward in its decades-long mission to protect the injured and ensure the continuation of the Firm’s focus on delivering a superior client experience built on compassion, integrity, and 100 years of legal expertise.

2022

Attorneys Trent S. Kerns and P. Christopher Guedri made Virginia history when they secured a $47.5 million settlement on behalf of a young person injured in a crash.

This is the largest financial recovery on behalf of a single personal injury victim in Virginia history.

2024

In 2024, Shareholder Jason W. Konvicka was named president of The Allen Law Firm. With nearly 25 years of service with Allen & Allen, he's a natural and exemplary leader.

He became the 40th president of the Melvin M. Belli Society, a prestigious legal organization. He was president of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association from 2019-2020, and serves on the board of directors for the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.