Disputanta Lawyers

Richard grew up in Petersburg, Virginia. He graduated from American University in 2005 and received his J.D. from the Washington College of Law at American University in 2011. While in law school, Richard was a member of the Mock Trial Honor Society and served as the Society's President from 2010-2011. He also interned for the ACLU of the Nation's Capital and clerked for the Montgomery County Office of the Public Defender. Currently, Richard focuses his practice on helping the injured and disabled.

Amanda is a director and the Chair of the McCandlish Holton Workers' Compensation Practice Group. Her practice is primarily focused on advising employers and insurance carriers on the defense and resolution of workers’ compensation claims.

Amanda handles all aspects of workers’ compensation litigation, including discovery, hearings, settlement, appeal, and mediation. Amanda regularly represents employers and carriers before the Workers’ Compensation Commission and before the Virginia Court of Appeals. Amanda provides guidance on advanced matters such as liens and subrogation, child support, and Medicare, and regularly facilitates settlement of matters that involve such concerns. In addition to advising...

Matt Ballard of Ballard Law Firm was born and raised in Hampton, Virginia. He graduated from Kecoughtan High School and received his Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Tech before earning his Juris Doctor from the College of William and Mary School of Law. After an internship at the National Labor Relations Board, Division of Judges, in Washington, DC, employment at the Law Firm of Jenkins & Rhea in Charlottesville, and six years of service as a prosecutor at the Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney office, he joined the Smith Law Firm, where he practiced from 2010 to 2023. Licensed...