LEONARD C. HEATH, JR.

Biography

Len is one of the lead trial attorneys at JBW&K. As a litigator, he has handled business, real estate, trust and estate, contract, personal injury and healthcare cases.  His practice is regional in scope, covering all of southeastern Virginia. His clients range from the very large (utilities and Fortune 500 companies) to the very small (sole proprietorships and individuals). Len's unique background as a graduate of both business school and law school is valuable to clients in making tough business and legal decisions that arise in litigation and risk management.

Len is one of the few attorneys in the area who has represented both insurance companies and injured parties.  In the early years of his practice, he focused on personal injury representing insurance companies.  He then began representing injured parties in personal injury claims as well as individuals against whom personal injury claims have been made and insurance coverage is insufficient to cover the claim.

Len's extensive litigation experience is also a valuable resource in representing the firm's healthcare clients. Len has experience in risk management, defending qui tam actions, handling Medicare and Medicaid issues, and assisting with overall compliance issues. In the field of healthcare his clients range from the very large (healthcare systems) to the very small (sole practitioners). Len has experience in handling both sides of medical malpractice claims (both plaintiff and defendant). By avoiding being a one dimensional healthcare law advocate, Len understands the intricacies and particular interests that arise in dealing on both the plaintiff and defense side of medical malpractice/risk management claims. This experience is extremely valuable to his healthcare clients.

Len currently serves as Chairman of the firm's Personal Injury Law Group and Healthcare Law Group.

Educational and Professional Background

• Business School at the College of William and Mary, B.B.A. (Business Administration  1982)
• Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary, J.D. (1986) where he served as a Member of the Board of Editors for the William and Mary Law Review
• Admitted to practice:
• All courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
• United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
• United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• Supreme Court of the United States

Activities and Affiliations

• Past President of the Newport News Bar Association (1997-98)
• Current Member of the Standing Committee for Legal Ethics for the Virginia State Bar (the nine lawyer committee appointed by the President of the Virginia State Bar which recommends changes to the rules of ethics for Virginia lawyers and also issues legal ethics opinions)
• Former Member of the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board, which is the panel appointed by Supreme Court of Virginia to oversee post-law school attorney education.  Mr. Heath served as Chairman of this Board from 1998 to 1999;
• Commissioner in Chancery for the Circuit Court of the City of Newport News, Virginia, which is an attorney appointed by the Circuit Court Judges to hear evidence and file a report with the Court in certain designated cases;
• Super Lawyer in Business Litigation (2008);
• Virginia's Legal Elite in Litigation (2007);
• Super Lawyer in Business Litigation (2007);
• Virginia's Legal Elite in Health Care law (2006);
• Super Lawyer in Business Litigation (2006);
• Virginia's Legal Elite in Litigation (2005);
• Newport News Bar Association
• Williamsburg Bar Association
• Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
• Virginia Bar Association