MIDLOTHIAN, VA ( July 1, 2013 ) – The law firm of Owen & Owens is proud to announce that all four of its partners were voted by their peers for inclusion in the 2013 edition of Virginia Super Lawyers®. W. Joseph Owen III and Mary Burkey Owens were named to Virginia Super Lawyers. Samuel J. Kaufman and Kimberly A. Skiba were recognized as Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Stars.
Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 5% of licensed attorneys in Virginia are selected for inclusion by Super Lawyers after an extensive nomination, peer review and editorial research process.
Joe Owen was selected for Virginia Super Lawyers in the General Litigation and Criminal Defense categories. Owen is a successful trial lawyer representing individuals and businesses in civil and commercial litigation, criminal defense, personal injury, real estate, estate planning, corporate and construction law. He is chairman of the Drug Court Foundation of Chesterfield County and a statewide leader with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Owen is a founding member of North Star Community, which provides a Christ – centered approach to substance abuse recovery. In 2011 Owen was named one of the “Leaders in the Law” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly, recognizing him for his leadership in the legal profession and service to the community. Earlier this year, he was named the 2013 recipient of the Virginia State Bar’s Tradition of Excellence Award.
Mary Burkey Owens received the added distinction of being named one of the “Top 50 Women Super Lawyer” in Virginia, indicating she had one of the highest point totals in the nomination, research and blue ribbon review process. This is the fifth consecutive year that Owens has been named among the top 50 women. She was selected by Virginia Super Lawyers in the Family Law, Collaborative Law, and Estate Planning & Probate categories. Owens has handled complex custody, divorce, support and equitable distribution cases for over 25 years and has been trained both as a mediator and as a collaborative lawyer. She is a Page 2 founding member and former president of the Metro Richmond Family Law Bar and past president of the Chesterfield County Bar Association. In 2011 Owens was honored by Virginia Lawyers Weekly as one of the “Influential Women of Virginia” who are making notable contributions to their profession and community. She was also named to the 2013 edition of Best Lawyers in America and is listed in the Collaborative Law: Family Law category.
Sam Kaufman was named to Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Stars for the fifth consecutive year and is listed in the General Litigation, Business Litigation and Real Estate categories. He represents both businesses and individuals in general litigation, commercial litigation and real estate matters. Kaufman is the president of the University of Richmond Alumni Association and former national co – chair of the University of Richmond’s Annual Fund. He is also chairman of the Chesterfield County Economic Development Advisory Council. In 2012, he was honored as one of the “Top 40 Under 40” by Style Weekly Magazine and the National Trial Lawyers Association.
Kimberly Skiba was named to Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Stars for the third consecutive year and is listed in the Family Law and Estate Planning & Probate categories. Her practice focuses on domestic relations, and estate planning, litigation, and administration (probate). She is the Vice President of the Metropolitan Richmond Women’s Bar Association and a member of the Richmond Bar Association’s Communications Committee. She is a past co – chair of the Richmond Bench – Bar Conference and a past board member of Safe Harbor. In 2012, Skiba became the first recipient of the Richmond Bar Association’s “Young Lawyer of the Year” award, recognizing her for her excellence in the practice of law and her outstanding leadership qualities.
