W. Thomas Chappell

Thomas focuses his litigation practice on appeals, trusts and estates, community associations, and real estate. Thomas has significant trial experience and frequently appears in courtrooms throughout Hampton Roads. A former appellate law clerk for a justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, Thomas regularly handles complex matters requiring advanced legal analysis, research, and writing.

Thomas represents clients statewide in appeals before the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Supreme Court of Virginia, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In addition to handling appeals arising from the firm’s trial matters, he also collaborates with trial counsel at other firms as appellate consultant or counsel.

• 5800 HVB, LLC v. Harbour View Commerce Ass’n, Inc., Record No. 0625-23-1, 2024 Va. App. LEXIS 359 (Va. Ct. App., June 25, 2024) (successfully represented appellee community association).
• Episcopal Diocese of S. Va. v. Marshall, 81 Va. App. 255 (2024) (successfully represented appellants in complex appeal concerning ecclesiastical abstention).
• Cartograf USA, Inc. v. Comerica Bank, 85 Va. App. 1 (2025) (successfully represented an appellee in a judicial sale matter).
• Eye Consultants of N. Va., P.C. v. Shaw-McDonald, 304 Va. 164 (2025) (medical malpractice standing matter).
• Ellis v. Jolley, 923 S.E.2d 304 (Va. 2025) (represented amici in sovereign immunity matter).
• Hardcastle v. Hardcastle, No. 21-2018, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 14460 (4th Cir., June 8, 2023) (successfully represented appellee in complex trust matter).
• SPM Mgmt. LLC v. Motor Yacht Sea Ayre V, 756 Fed. Appx. 304 (4th Cir., Dec. 20, 2018) (successfully represented appellees in maritime lien matter).
• Martinka v. PHI Grp., Inc., No. 1990-22-4, 2024 Va. App. LEXIS 394 (Va. Ct. App., July 16, 2024) (successfully represented appellees in appeal of ruling of the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission).
• Woodle v. Woodle, CL17-2253, 104 Va. Cir. 440 (Va. Beach City, Aug. 3, 2017) (successfully represented petitioners seeking to admit will to probate pursuant to Va. Code § 64.2-404).

Recognition

Clerkships

Hon. S. Bernard Goodwyn, Supreme Court of Virginia (2014-2016)

Education

University of Richmond School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude

• Order of the Coif
• John Marshall Scholar
• Law Review Member
• McNeill Law Society

William & Mary, B.A., magna cum laude, Government and Economics

Admissions

Virginia

United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia

U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia

• Chesapeake Bar Association, President (2025-2026)
• Virginia Bar Association, Appellate Council
• Community Association Institute Virginia Legislative Action Committee
• Community Association Institute, Southeastern Virginia Chapter
• James Kent American Inn of Court, Executive Committee

Thomas Chappell & Sophie L. Arnold, Steer Clear of Having Your Appeal “Black Flagged” by a Procedural Misstep in the Court of Appeals of Virginia or the Supreme Court of Virginia, 37 J. Civ. Litig. 531 (Winter 2025-2026).

Thomas Chappell & Alli M. Mentch, What to Watch for at Trial in Virginia Courts to Avoid Having Your Appeal “Disqualified” or “Sent to the Rear”, 35 J. Civ. Litig. 581 (Winter 2023-2024)

Thomas Chappell, An Appeal of Right–Navigating the New Court of Appeals of Virginia, VBA Journal 24 (Fall 2022).