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    Philip L. Hatchett

    Biography

    Philip’s practice emphasizes business formation and financing, as well as estate planning, tax and wealth transfer. Philip was a certified public accountant before attending law school. A native of the Peninsula, Philip has enjoyed many professional long-term relationships.

    Representative Matters

    • Represented estate fiduciaries before the Internal Revenue Service
    • Served as counsel for creation of joint venture between client and Fortune 500
    • Represented multiple parties in contested estate administration matters including being the court-appointed attorney to the state’s largest defalcation
    • Represented and served as Virginia counsel in private-public military housing projects
    • Coordinated and organized multiple family partnerships and limited liability companies to expand management governess and financing opportunities

    Recognition & Honors

    • Best Lawyers in America, Trust and Estates, 2002-2025
    • Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation, Class of 2024
    • Oyster Point Rotary Club, Distinguished Member Award, 2022
    • Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, Humanitarian Award, 2018
    • Top Lawyers; CoVaBIZ, 2019-2021
    • Virginia’s Legal Elite, Taxes and Estates & Trust; Virginia Business Magazine, 2007-2010, 2012-2013, 2016, 2021-2024
    • American Red Cross, Hampton Roads Chapter Volunteer of the Year, 1996
    • Omicron Delta Kappa, 1983
    • The McNeil Law Society, University of Richmond, 1983
    • University of Richmond Law Review, 1982-1984
    • Virginia Duals Wrestling Tournament Grand Marshal, 2017

    Associations

    • Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center, Vice President, 2017-2018; Vice President, 2019-2020; President, 2023-present; Executive Committee, 2020-present
    • Hampton Roads Community Action Program, Board of Trustees, 2010-present; Executive Committee, 2014-present; Parliamentarian, 2020-present
    • Peninsula Estate Planning Council, 1988-Present; Board of Trustees, 2012-2021; Secretary, 2015; Treasurer, 2016; Vice President, 2017-2018; President, 2019-2020
    • City of Newport News Employees’ Retirement Board, Member, 1991-1998, 2001-2009, 2011-2021; Chairman, 1997-1998, 2007-2009, 2011-2012; Vice Chairman, 2013-2021
    • City of Newport News Investment Committee, Member, 2007-2016
    • Smart Beginnings of the Virginia Peninsula, Board of Directors, 2010-2018; Vice Chairman, 2011-2013; Chairman, 2013-2015; Secretary, 2017-2018
    • Virginia Living Museum, Board of Trustees, 2012-2019; Executive Committee, 2015-2019
    • Oyster Point Rotary Club, Member, 2005-present; Board of Trustees, 2013-2022
    • Newport News Bar Association, Member, 1998-present
    • Virginia Bar Association; Trust and Estates Section, Member, 1985-present
    • American Red Cross Hampton Roads Chapter, Board Member, 1986-1996; Chairman, 1994-1995; Volunteer of the Year, 1996
    • WHRO Board of Directors, Member, 2008-2014
    • Hampton Public Library Foundation, Trustee, 2003-2014
    • St. Andrews Episcopal Church Foundation, Trustee, 2002-2007, 2010-2015, 2017-2018; Chairman, 2005-2007 and 2017-present
    • St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Vestry, 2010-2012
    • The Chesapeake Retirement Advisory Board, Member, 2002-2008
    • Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation, Board of Directors, 1999-2008
    • Virginia Symphony, Board of Directors, 2000-2007
    • RBC Centura Bank Regional Advisory Board, Member 1998-2005; Co-Chairman, 2003-2005
    • Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society, General Counsel, 2017-present
    • Hampton Roads Civic Leaders Institute, Class of 2016
    • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Certified 1979
    • Marriage Commissioner, since 2004-present

    Court Admissions

    • Eastern District of Virginia, 1984
    • Federal Bar, 1984

    Education

    • Washington & Lee University; B.S., 1977
    • University of Richmond School of Law; J.D, 1984

    Past leadership positions

    • WHRO Foundation Board Member, 2001-2008
    • Regional Advisory Board RBC Centura Bank, 1998-2005; Co-Chairman, 2003-2005
    • Virginia Symphony; Board of Directors, 2000-2007
    • The Chesapeake Retirement Advisory Board, 2002-2008
    • Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation Board, 1998-2008
    • Hampton Roads Chapter of the American Red Cross Board; Member, 1986-1996; Chairman, 1994-1995
    • Peninsula-Williamsburg American Heart Association Walk Board; Member, 2000-2003; Chairman, 2002
    • Hampton Bar Association; Treasurer, 1988-1989

    Reported opinions and published articles

    • F. Garcia Enterprises v. Enterprise Ford Tractor, 253 Va. 104, 480 S.E.2d 497 (1997)
    • Brown v. Brown, 69 Va. App. 462, 820 S.E.2d 384 (2018)
    • Kingsmill Cmty. Servs. Ass’n v. Kings-Mill United, Inc., Record No. 150159, 2015 Va. Unpub. LEXIS 25 (Dec. 10, 2015)
    • Simonds v. Yancey, 7 Cir. CL1704240B-04 (2018)
    • Sizemore v. Smith, 7 Cir. CL1502689M-05(2016)
    • Saunders v. AMG National Trust Bank, 04 Cir. CL13009292 (2014)
    • McCall v. Elver, 7 Cir 01638TF, 73 Va. Cir. 328 (2007)
    • Davenport Exec. of the Estate of Walters v. Walters, 4 Cir. CH021854, 69 Va. Cir. 334 (2005)
    • Michael E. Mares v. Estate of David Murray, U.S. Bankruptcy Ct, Eastern Dist. of Va. (1993)

    Press & Publications