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Samuel W. Meekins Jr., a former President of the firm, has been with Wolcott River for over 30 years. During that time he has been principally involved in criminal and civil litigation. He has been the recipient of many awards and honors including selection as a “Legal Elite for civil litigation”, selection as a Virginia Super Lawyer in 2010 and 2011, and achieving an AV designation from Martindale Hubbell. Most recently Mr. Meekins was honored by the Virginia Beach Bar Association with the Joseph L. Lyle, Jr. PROFESSIONALISM award.
Mr. Meekins (known to his clients and friends as “Sam”) began his litigation career as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was recruited from there by Wolcott Rivers where he has since developed into the experienced trial counsel that he is today. In the criminal area he has defended everything from capital cases (including a nationally covered espionage trial in federal court) to reckless driving in state courts.
In the civil area Mr. Meekins has been equally prolific. He had successfully defended national companies in wrongful death cases where millions of dollars were on the line. He has extensive experience in will contests, fiduciary litigation, stockholder fights, lender liability disputes, and commercial lease and mortgage transactions. On the other hand he has successfully sued several localities on behalf of citizens aggrieved by the abuses of power and processes. Included is a suit to enforce Religious Land Use rights (RLUIPA) and one to challenge a proposed sale of a public roadway.
Mr. Meekins has served his country as a decorated Viet Nam War veteran. He has served his community as Chairman of the Virginia Beach City School Board, President of the Virginia Beach Central Business District Association, and campaign chairman for the American Heart Association, Tidewater Chapter. He has served his profession as Chairman of the Virginia State Bar Litigation Section, and is currently Vice-President of the Virginia State Bar Senior Lawyer’s Conference. He is a husband of 40 years with four now grown children all of which he is very proud.
Representative Cases
Hegwood v. Virginia Natural Gas, 256 Va. 362, 505 S.E.2d 372 (1998)
Favinger v. Ford Motor Co., 275 Va. 83, 654 S.E.2d 575 (2008)
Florence v. Roberts, 233 Va. 297, 355 S.E.2d 316 (1987)
United States v. Walker, 796 F.2d 43, 1986 (4th Cir. 1986)
Chase v. City of Portsmouth, 428 F.Supp. 2d 487 (E.D. Va. 2006)
Pitt, et al. v. City of Portsmouth. Virginia, et al. v. United States Department of Housing, 221 F.R.D. 438, (U.S. Dist. 2004)
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