We are proud to announce that nine attorneys from Allen & Allen have been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers® in America, a prestigious honor based on peer review. In addition, two of our attorneys have been selected for the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America list. We are especially honored to share that shareholder Derrick L. Walker has been recognized as the 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in Richmond, VA. We congratulate all of our recognized attorneys for their outstanding achievements and continued commitment to excellence in the legal profession.
Our 2026 Best Lawyers honorees include: 
- Edward L. Allen
- Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs
- P. Christopher Guedri
- Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs
- Product Liability Litigation- Plaintiffs
- Paul D. Hux
- Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs
- Jason W. Konvicka
- Medical Malpractice Law- Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs
- Bridget N. Long
- Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs
- Malcolm P. McConnell III
- Medical Malpractice Law- Plaintiffs
- Courtney A. Van Winkle
- Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs
- Derrick L. Walker
- Medical Malpractice Law- Plaintiffs
- Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs
- David M. Williams
- Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs
Our Ones to Watch honorees include: 
- Christopher J. Toepp
- Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs
- Product Liability – Plaintiffs
- Medical Malpractice Law- Plaintiffs
- Robert C. T. Reed
- Personal Injury Litigation- Plaintiffs
2026 “Lawyer of the Year”, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, Richmond, VA 
- Derrick L. Walker
Best Lawyers
Edward L. Allen
Edward L. Allen is a member of the third generation of the Allen family. He played a key role in leading Allen & Allen’s strategic expansion into Northern Virginia. Edward is a former president of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and has been consistently selected for inclusion in Virginia Super Lawyers since 2011. This marks the 15th consecutive year Edward has been honored by Best Lawyers, a testament to his dedication, skill, and impact in the field of personal injury law. A past recipient of the prestigious “Lawyer of the Year” award for Personal Injury Litigation, Edward has a proven track record of success in both state and federal courts.
P. Christopher Guedri
P. Christopher Guedri is of counsel. He is recognized for his continued excellence in the field of personal injury law. In the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America, Chris is honored for his work in both Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation and Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation.
As an honoree for Best Lawyers since 1995, Christopher has built a career handling cases involving truck accidents, product defects, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries. His work has led to numerous substantial verdicts and settlements, including a record-setting $47.5 million settlement. Other career highlights include cases resulting in settlements of $42 million and $22 million.
Paul D. Hux
Paul D. Hux, managing attorney of Allen & Allen’s Chesterfield office, has once again been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America. Paul’s practice focuses on automobile accidents, truck accidents, and premises liability cases. Paul has been named among Best Lawyers since 2021 and was included in the Best Lawyers: Litigation Edition in 2020. He has also been recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers every year since 2010 and was honored as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Virginia by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
Jason W. Konvicka
Jason W. Konvicka, managing attorney of the Richmond office and the President of Allen & Allen, has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America for his work in Plaintiffs Medical Malpractice Law and Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation. A Best Lawyers honoree since 2009, Jason is respected for his work in cases involving commercial trucking defendants, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and wrongful death. He was selected as one of the Top 10 Trucking Lawyers in Virginia by The National Trial Lawyers. His notable results include a $42 million settlement, a $29.445 million jury verdict, and several other significant recoveries.
Bridget N. Long
Bridget N. Long is the managing attorney of the Mechanicsville office. She has been listed as a Super Lawyer consecutively since 2008 and has been recognized as a Virginia Super Lawyer since 2014. Bridget passionately supports the legal community. She has served as president of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA), been a member of the Board of Governors for VTLA since 2008, and served as Chair of the American Association for Justice Women Trial Lawyers Caucus in 2024. Bridget has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2002 and is recognized this year for her work in Personal Injury Litigation.
Malcolm P. McConnell
Malcolm P. McConnell has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2007 and is recognized for Medical Malpractice Plaintiffs Law. He has been listed as a Super Lawyer since 2007. Best Lawyers in America named him ‘Richmond’s Medical Malpractice Plaintiffs Lawyer of the Year’ in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2024.
Courtney A. Van Winkle
Courtney A. Van Winkle is a member of the third generation of the Allen family. Courtney regularly handles cases in the areas of automobile and truck accidents, brain injury, and wrongful death. Based in the firm’s Richmond office, she serves clients throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2019, she was named to the Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2019 class of Influential Women of Law. Courtney is a former president of the Virginia Women Attorneys Association – Richmond Chapter and is an active member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.
Derrick L. Walker
Derrick L. Walker has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 2017, as well as by Best Lawyers in America – Litigation Edition in 2020. Derrick received the 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” designation for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs. A recognition given to one attorney in each practice area and geographic location, this is a prestigious recognition. Derrick focuses his practice on cases involving wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, nursing home negligence, and medical malpractice. A respected leader in the legal community, he currently serves as Treasurer of the American Association for Justice and is the President of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.
David M. Williams
David M. Williams is the managing attorney of both Allen & Allen’s Stafford and Fredericksburg offices. He has extensive experience litigating a wide range of personal injury cases in both state and federal courts and has successfully argued before the Virginia Supreme Court. This is David’s second year being recognized by Best Lawyers in America. David is known for his strategic advocacy and commitment to securing justice for his clients.
Ones to Watch
Robert C. T. Reed
Robert C. T. Reed, is based in the firm’s Richmond office. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers for three consecutive years, and is highly experienced in motor vehicle insurance law. He focuses his practice on cases involving automobile and trucking accidents, product liability, and premises liability.
Christopher J. Toepp
Christopher J. Toepp, based in Allen & Allen’s Fredericksburg and Richmond offices, has been with the firm since 2012 and a shareholder since 2021. He has been recognized as one of Virginia’s Super Lawyers since 2017 and was named to Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite in civil litigation from 2014 – 2018. Christopher handles a broad range of personal injury cases, including automobile, trucking, and motorcycle accidents.
