Troutman Sanders Names New Managing Partner in Richmond
RICHMOND, Va. – January 2, 2019 – Partner Brooks Smith, a veteran environmental and natural resources attorney, has been named managing partner of Troutman Sanders’ Richmond office. Smith succeeds John West, who has led the Richmond office since 2011 and will now chair the firm’s Business Litigation department.
“We are grateful for the strategic leadership that John has provided in Richmond and believe him well-suited to lead the firm’s Business Litigation team. We are confident that Brooks will help drive the firm to new heights in the region and beyond,” said Steve Lewis, firm-wide managing partner.
Smith, who joined the firm in 2013, is involved in some of the biggest energy and infrastructure projects in Virginia and has deep ties to the local community. He previously chaired the Richmond Business Council, Richmond CultureWorks, Richmond Public Library Foundation and the VCU Rice Rivers Center, was a founding member of Capital Region Land Conservancy, and is active on the boards of the Valentine, Richmond Jazz Society and Art on Wheels, among others. For six years, he contributed commentaries to WCVE Public Radio as part of a series called Rediscovering Richmond, and he speaks regularly to community audiences, including guest lectures at both VCU and the University of Richmond.
“I learned ‘servant leadership’ from LMR (Leadership Metro Richmond) and hope to apply it to my new role as managing partner of our Richmond office, creating new collaborations and opportunities within the firm, across our diverse client base, and throughout our local community,” Smith said. “Many of our Richmond clients are deeply connected to the community, as well, and we strive to be their trusted partners, both professionally and civically.”
Smith is nationally recognized for his environmental and energy work and has written and spoken extensively on developments arising under the Clean Water Act and other environmental laws. In 2015, the National Law Journal named Smith among its inaugural list of "50 Energy & Environment Trailblazers.”
Troutman Sanders’ Richmond office opened in 2001, but its roots date back more than a century through its Virginia predecessor, Mays & Valentine. Today, the full-service office caters to clients in virtually every sector with local, national and even international reach. Like Smith, Richmond attorneys are well-connected to local businesses, governmental circles, economic development, culture, arts and charitable organizations.
About Troutman Sanders
With a diverse practice mix, workforce and footprint, Troutman Sanders has cultivated its reputation for a higher commitment to client care for over 120 years. Ideally positioned to
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