Chidi I. James and Wesley D. Allen

Blankingship & Keith. P.C. is pleased to announce that Chidi I. James has been named to the Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2018 class of “Leaders in the Law,” and Wesley D. Allen has been named to the publication’s 2018 class of “Up & Coming Lawyers.”

Now in its 13th year, the “Leaders in the Law” awards program recognizes the lawyers across the Commonwealth who are setting the standard for other lawyers in Virginia. “Leaders in are recognized for changing the law, serving the community, changing practice or improving Virginia’s justice system, among other accomplishments.

The “Up &Coming Lawyers” awards program recognizes lawyers in the Commonwealth who are making their mark within their first 10 years of practice. These are the lawyers who are the leaders of the profession in the future.

A partner with the firm, James’s practice consists of serious personal injury cases, including wrongful death, products liability and inadequate security cases. Before joining the firm, James served as a judicial law clerk to the judges of the Arlington County Circuit Court and completed the Judge Advocate General School Course at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. He currently serves as a reservist in the armed forces as the Staff Judge Advocate for the District of Columbia Air National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters in Washington, DC.

Allen’s practice focuses on civil litigation with an emphasis on education matters. He also has insurance defense experience, representing both corporate and individual clients in civil matters in state and federal courts throughout the Commonwealth and in the District of Columbia. Prior to practicing, Allen served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Mary Grace O’Brien of the Prince William County Circuit Court. He is an active member of the Fairfax Bar Association, where he has previously served on the Board of its Young Lawyers’ section, and currently serves as a co-chair of the Virginia State Bar’s Oliver Hill/Samuel Tucker Pre-Law Institute.

The honorees in both programs will be celebrated at a reception on Oct. 25 at the John Marshall Hotel in Richmond.

Blankingship& Keith, P.C. is a regional law firm serving clients throughout Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth, with 37 lawyers in offices in Fairfax and Manassas.