Thursday, March 19, 2026
1:15pm to 2:15pm - Norfolk Courthouse First Floor Training Room
Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members
Summary:
Despite Dante's sharp pen, he needed Virgil to guide him through the 9 circles of Hell. No matter how seasoned a quick-witted lawyer is with trial work, he may be entrapped by the perils of litigating the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia and the technical missteps that could harm or doom your appeal. Throughout this CLE, we will act as your Virgil and help you prepare for your journey through the spooky appellate underworld.
Presenters: W. Thomas Chappell, Woods Rogers, Sophie L. Arnold, Woods Rogers
W. Thomas Chappell
Thomas is a civil litigator. Much of his practice focuses on representing clients on appeal before the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Supreme Court of Virginia, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. A former appellate law clerk for a justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, Thomas takes pride in his legal writing, analysis, and research. He frequently writes and presents on appellate advocacy. In addition to involvement in cases on appeal where the firm was counsel at trial, Thomas also has served as appellate counsel in matters tried by other law firms and enjoys partnering with outside attorneys as an appellate consultant.
Thomas also has an active civil trial practice. He focuses much of that practice on trusts and estates litigation, real estate litigation, and commercial litigation. He also has experience with land use matters and representing community associations. He frequently appears in courts throughout Virginia, especially in the Hampton Roads area.
Outside of work, most of Thomas's time is happily spent with his family doing things such as going to the beach, the library, the Norfolk Zoo, and William & Mary sporting events.
Experience
· Appellate counsel in cases before the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Supreme Court of Virginia, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
· Litigation counsel in trusts and estates disputes.
· Litigation counsel in commercial and residential landlord-tenant disputes.
Sophie L. Arnold
Sophie's practice focuses on litigation and dispute resolution.
Prior to joining Woods Rogers, Sophie served as a law clerk to the Honorable Tasha D. Scott and the Honorable Everett A. Martin, Jr., in the Norfolk Circuit Court.
While attending the University of Richmond School of Law, Sophie was a copy editor for the Journal of Law and Technology, and received both the Law Faculty Award in Intellectual Property and a CALI Award of Excellence in Copyright Law and Trademark Law. She completed law school with a certificate in Intellectual Property.
During law school, Sophie was a member of the Intellectual Property Clinic, and she loved the topic and doing client facing work. Since completing her clerkship, Sophie has found that litigation is where she thrives, whether it be contract or tort claims, or the niche world of intellectual property.
Sophie grew up in central Florida in a small community and completed her undergraduate degree in Literature. She originally believed that she might pursue a career in education, as much of her family has, but decided to take the LSAT on a whim and went to law school instead. Once Sophie got to Virginia, she fell in love with the seasons and people, and decided to relocate here permanently with her husband.
Disclaimer
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