Bernard has more than 45 years of experience advising clients in a full range of business law transactions, estate planning, and estate and trust administration. His primary areas of focus also include trusts and estates, acquisitions and divestitures, taxation, and education-related issues.
He began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, serving for almost four years under the acting District Attorney Frank Hogan. He joined the Lynchburg firm of Edmunds & Williams in 1973. Bernard’s early practice included corporate litigation, workers’ compensation, insurance defense, and construction/contract litigation. He also represented many clients in real estate-related matters.
After several years of practice at Edmunds & Williams, Bernard went on to study accounting at Lynchburg College. He changed his area of practice focus to corporate law and trust and estates. He joined Woods Rogers when the two firms merged in October of 2016.
Virginia Super Lawyers has recognized Bernard as one of the top five percent of Virginia lawyers in Business Law for many years. He has also been recognized by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for “Civil Litigation and Business Law”. He holds an AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell “Peer Rating”.
Bernard’s community outreach has included service on the boards of directors of many community organizations, including Randolph College, the University of Virginia Alumni Association, United Way of Central Virginia, and Point of Honor, a historic home on the James River that now serves as a museum.
Recognition
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Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 70 WRVB Attorneys
August 17, 2023 -
Nine WRVB Attorneys Named 2023 Lynchburg “Top Lawyers”
January 18, 2023 -
WRVB Attorneys Make Major Showing in Best Lawyers in America
August 16, 2022 -
Nine Woods Rogers Attorneys Named Lynchburg “Top Lawyers”
January 12, 2022 -
Forty-four Woods Rogers Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers for 2022
August 19, 2021 -
Eight Woods Rogers Attorneys Named Lynchburg “Top Lawyers”
January 7, 2021 -
Forty-one Woods Rogers Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for 2021
August 20, 2020 -
Ten Woods Rogers Attorneys Named Lynchburg “Top Lawyers”
January 10, 2020 -
Thirty-nine Woods Rogers Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for 2020
August 16, 2019 -
Thirty-nine Woods Rogers Attorneys Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America
August 16, 2018 -
Thirty-six Woods Rogers Attorneys Are Recognized by Best Lawyers in America
August 15, 2017