2026 Chambers USA Rankings Recognize 18 Hirschler Attorneys and Seven Practice Categories

06.05.2026

Hirschler is excited to announce that 18 attorneys were included in the 2026 edition of the prestigious Chambers USA annual rankings, which offer client-driven insights on America's top business lawyers. Additionally, Hirschler was recognized among top-ranked firms across seven regional departments, including in Virginia’s Bankruptcy / Restructuring, Construction, and Litigation: General Commercial practice categories; in Virginia’s Northern region for Real Estate: Zoning / Land Use; and, in Virginia’s Southern region for its Corporate / M&A, Real Estate, and Real Estate: Zoning / Land Use practices.

“The Chambers USA Guide reflects the feedback and input of our clients and peers within the legal community, which is a top priority our firm,” said Courtney Paulk, president of Hirschler. “We are grateful to our clients for the opportunity to work with them and for the supportive comments they shared that led to our inclusion across practice areas, which is deeply meaningful to us as a firm. We’re always focused on ensuring we have the best talent available in the areas that matter for our clients, and this list of recognized Hirschler attorneys and practices validates those efforts and the need to continue elevating our services.”

Full details of the firm’s rankings and client feedback are available online here. The Hirschler attorneys recognized in the 2026 Chambers USA guide, along with the practice areas in which they were selected and further insight from Chambers’ research, are included below:

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Charles Payne, Real Estate: Zoning / Land Use

Richmond, Virginia

Kelly J. Bundy, Construction

Jeffrey P. Geiger, Real Estate: Zoning / Land Use

Lisa J. Hedrick, Corporate / M&A

Andrew M. Lohmann, Corporate / M&A

Courtney M. Paulk, Construction

Emily M. Scott, Litigation: General Commercial

Andrew P. Sherrod, Labor & Employment

Brandt H. Stitzer, Real Estate

Nathaniel L. Story, Construction

Robert R. Vieth, Litigation: General Commercial

James L. Weinberg, Corporate / M&A

Tysons, Virginia

Mihir V. Elchuri, Litigation: General Commercial

Lawrence A. Katz, Bankruptcy / Restructuring 

Stephen E. Leach, Bankruptcy / Restructuring 

Matthew G. Roberts, Real Estate: Zoning / Land Use

David I. Swan, Bankruptcy / Restructuring

M. Jay Yurow, Real Estate

Corporate / M&A

Hirschler’s Corporate M&A practice is recognized for its broad, midmarket-focused practice and strengths in investment management for institutional investors, mergers and acquisitions and ancillary areas like tax, franchising and estate planning. One respondent said “Hirschler is an incredible businessperson's firm. The team knows exactly the issues to hone in on, and don’t waste time on things that aren’t important. Its business judgment is impeccable.” Another said “Hirschler has experts in all facets of M&A and extensive contacts internationally to support cross-border work.” Another client said, “Hirschler is extremely helpful in navigating the realities of our businesses.”

Hirschler Executive Vice President Andrew M. Lohmann was noted for ably handling a wide variety of corporate transactions, including M&A and private equity transactions on behalf of both buyers and sellers. M&A Partner Lisa J. Hedrick was noted by Chambers for “her expertise in M&A and private equity transactions,” with a client commenting, “Lisa is outstanding and is always extremely knowledgeable and responsive.” James L. Weinberg was recognized for being “a great leader and incredible with clients.”

Real Estate

Hirschler’s Real Estate practice is recognized by Chambers as an experienced real estate outfit that offers strength in development, transactional, land use and zoning matters. Noted for its high level of activity on significant developments regionally and, particularly, experience in the representation of lenders. Commentators said, “The Hirschler team is extremely knowledgeable in the Richmond market, helps navigate our projects through the right contacts and has excellent soft skills beyond just the facts.” Another commentor added

“Hirschler has extraordinary experience. The team seems to have an answer and strategy for every issue that comes up.”

Individually, James W. Theobald, partner, was recognized for his “extensive experience acting for developers on zoning and land use matters.” Brandt Stitzer, partner, was also praised for his comprehensiveness and service, with a client saying, “Brandt is an exceptional attorney doing a myriad of complex transactional work who has a very strong understanding of the market.” Jeffrey Geiger was noted for his experience in the energy sector, with one client referring to him as “an experienced attorney who helps clients navigate complex rezonings, entitlements and land use matters.” Partner M. Jay Yurow “is an excellent lawyer at dealing with transactions,” noted one responder.

Real Estate: Zoning / Land Use

Hirschler was recognized in the Real Estate: Zoning / Land Use category in the Northern and Southern regions of Virginia, with Chambers highlighting the firm’s frequent counsel across property types on a wide range of zoning and land use matters, including rezonings, special exceptions and other entitlement and approval mandates. In addition to its work on mixed-use, residential and commercial developments, the firm also brings significant experience related to the approval process for data centers and medical real estate properties.

This year marks the first time the firm has been ranked in Northern Virginia for Zoning and Land Use, with Fredericksburg-based Partner Charles Payne also earning his first ranking in the prestigious publication. One referee noted “The Hirschler team is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to land use in Northern Virginia.”

In Southern Virginia, Richmond-based Partner Jeffrey Geiger has been promoted to Band 1 ranking, making him one of only two attorneys in the region to earn this top tier. Partner Matthew G. Roberts was noted as a highly regarded land use and zoning lawyer who “always has a path forward when navigating challenges.”

Construction

Chambers recognized Hirschler’s Construction practice as “a well-regarded construction practice which advises clients throughout the lifecycle of a project,” and one that offers a very deep bench of attorneys for a varied client base, including contractors, developers and owners. Chambers also noted that “Hirschler can take problems that seem complex and distill them to the core issues.”

Individually, Chambers distinguished partner Nathaniel L. Story for handling all facets of construction work, while being “responsive, knowledgeable and practical in his approach.” Chambers also notes Hirschler President Courtney M. Paulk for her considerable experience in construction matters, and one respondent addressed her service in saying she “stands out for her ability to factor in our unique business structures and needs when making recommendations.” Partner Kelly J. Bundy was recognized as a notable practitioner known for her counsel of owners, contractors and design professionals in contract drafting and negotiation, as well as construction claims and regulatory compliance. One commentator noted that she “is responsive, efficient and extremely good at what she does.”

Litigation: General Commercial

Discussing Hirschler’s Commercial Litigation practice, Chambers said “Hirschler offers clients a strong bench of attorneys capable of handling sophisticated business litigation matters, such as M&A and contract disputes. The team advises clients from a broad spectrum of industries, with a notable presence in the real estate and construction sectors. It also has additional expertise in healthcare and employment litigation.”

Individually, Partner Robert R. Vieth earned praise for his representation “of clients in high-stakes commercial disputes, such as those arising from real estate and corporate transactions as well as corporate governance and trade secrets concerns.” Litigation Section Chair Emily Scott was noted for her work advising clients in the healthcare sector. Partner Mihir Elchuri “is always prepared, confident and extremely responsive, in addition to being a brilliant legal mind,” noted one responder.

Bankruptcy / Restructuring

Chambers praised Hirschler’s Bankruptcy / Restructuring group as “an established practice noted for its creditors’ rights expertise, as well as its representation of debtors” and as “a leading firm for midmarket bankruptcies in the state and well-suited to serving as local counsel on larger cases.” The practice is noted for its creditors’ rights work and representation of debtors when handling Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 matters, as well as out-of-court restructuring, bankruptcy litigation and Section 363 asset sales. Those interviewed by Chambers noted that “They handle matters thoroughly and efficiently,” as well as being “smart, dedicated professionals with integrity and compassion.” Another said, “The lawyers at Hirschler provide practical advice, from both legal and business perspectives.”

Individually, Partner David Swan was praised for his ability to “provide high-quality, timely and proactive service that includes grounded advice and not just theory.” Partner Stephen Leach received praise for his counsel on Chapter 11 proceedings, creditors’ rights issues and asset sales, with one client saying, “Stephen Leach has a wealth of experience advising debtors and trustees.” Lawrence A. Katz, partner, was recognized for his broad bankruptcy practice and experience acting as a Chapter 11 trustee. “He has extensive experience and provides a great service to his clients,” one respondent said.

Labor and Employment

Employment Law Practice Group Leader Andrew P. Sherrod was recognized for how “his clarity, responsiveness and practical approach make complex issues far more manageable and support timely, compliant decisions.”

About Chambers USA

Chambers USA is one of the most distinguished guides to law firms and lawyers across the country. Every year, Chambers & Partners conducts thousands of in-depth interviews with clients to assess the reputations of business lawyers. Top firms and lawyers are ranked, and their merits described – usually in the words of their clients that are interviewed by the Chamber’s research staff. It is the weight of client interviews that gives Chambers & Partners’ guides their highly valued credibility and reliability. 

About Hirschler

Hirschler is a national-caliber law firm based in Virginia. Invested in our clients and their success, our attorneys deliver smart solutions to important and often-complex legal issues. We are distinct in our deliberate service focus, partner involvement in client matters, and ability to deliver legal excellence and business efficiency. For more information, please contact Director of Business Development, Selena A. Browne.