An immersive litigator who connects with clients, as well as judge and jury
Rachel Adams is a partner in the firm’s Civil Litigation Practice Group, representing clients both in and outside the courtroom, experienced in disputes related to business torts, contract issues, and employment matters. Rachel represents a broad spectrum of clients, ranging from publicly traded companies and individual business owners to everyday people with a legal problem who just need a trusted lawyer. Her clients also include constitutional officers, state agencies, and universities.
Rachel has extensive experience litigating in courts and arbitrations across Virginia in state and federal court. She has handled all facets of trial work, including delivering opening statements and closing arguments, conducting direct and cross-examinations of lay and expert witnesses, and drafting and arguing motions. Rachel routinely handles cases in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA), commonly known as the “Rocket Docket”. She frequently serves as lead and local counsel in cases across all divisions of the EDVA.
Rachel also regularly acts as outside counsel to clients, advising them on ways to avoid litigation when possible. Clients rely on her to provide measured and thoughtful advice and, when necessary, to fiercely protect their rights.
Prior to joining ThompsonMcMullan, Rachel was a commercial litigation associate for an AmLaw 100 firm in Washington, D.C. While in law school at the University of Richmond School of Law, she served as the editor-in-chief of the University of Richmond Law Review.
She is an active member of the Virginia Bar Association, serving as CLE Committee Chair of the Young Lawyers Division, and the Richmond Bar Association, serving on the Administration of Justice Committee. Rachel is named among Virginia’s “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business Magazine, Super Lawyer’s Rising Stars List, and selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© “Ones to Watch” in the fields of commercial litigation and government relations practices.
Practices
Civil Litigation
Representative Experience
GENERAL CIVIL LITIGATION
- Represents clients in Virginia state and federal courts by drafting pre-trial motions and written responses to discovery, conducting depositions of individual and corporate representatives, and participating in all phases of trial, including opening statements, direct and cross examinations, closing arguments, and post-trial motions
- Represented developer of high-end condominium project sued in arbitration by condominium unit owners’ association and individual unit owners alleging breach of contract, breach of warranty, misrepresentation, and consumer protection act violations, resulting in an award of attorneys’ fees
- Defended automotive repair company against claims for breach of contract, fraud, and violations of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act
- Represented officer of a closely held corporation in shareholder derivative suit in federal court; drafted dispositive motion resulting in the court dismissing claims brought pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1964 (RICO)
- Represented a national hospitality company in nationwide class action in which plaintiffs alleged privacy and discrimination claims; drafted memoranda in support of motion for preliminary approval of class action settlement and joint motion for final approval of class action settlement
- Responded to civil investigative demands and inquiry letters from congressional committees, state attorneys general, and other government authorities in connection with congressional and state investigations
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND ELECTED OFFICIAL DEFENSE
- Defends government employees, constitutional officers, and elected officials in numerous Section 1983 lawsuits pending in state and federal courts
- Obtained dismissal of Monell claim, brought pursuant to Section 1983, against Sheriff’s Office related to conditions of local jail
- Obtained dismissal of gross negligence claims brought against Sheriff in Virginia state court
- Obtained outright dismissal of deliberate indifference claims and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) claims, brought pursuant to Section 1983, and gross and willful and wanton negligence claims under Virginia law, asserted against an ADA coordinator with Sheriff’s Office
- Defended and obtained outright dismissal of constitutional challenges to Virginia animal cruelty statutes, brought against local Sheriffs and Commonwealth’s Attorneys, on grounds that the plaintiffs lacked Article III standing to assert such claims
- Defended Sheriff and Sheriff’s deputy in action asserting violations of the plaintiffs’ Due Process rights and Fourth Amendment rights, under Section 1983, and state law claims for defamation, malicious prosecution, and tortious interference with contract and business expectancy, resulting in the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissing action in lieu of responding to motion to dismiss
Recognition
- Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© “Ones to Watch” in the fields of Commercial Litigation and Government Relations Practice (2023-2025), Energy Law (2024-2025)
- Selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars List, Business Litigation category (2023-2024)
- Virginia Business Magazine’s “Legal Elite,” Young Lawyer (Under 40) category (2021-2024)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming Lawyers List (2022)
Education
- University of Richmond School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2017
- Editor-in-Chief, Richmond Law Review
- American University, B.A., 2012
Admissions
- All Virginia Courts including the Supreme Court of Virginia
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Affiliations
- Richmond Bar Association
- Administration of Justice Committee (2024-2025)
- Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference
- Virginia Bar Association
- CLE Committee Chair, Young Lawyers Division
- Local Government Attorneys of Virginia
- Lewis F. Powell, Jr., American Inn of Court
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Virginia Finest Honoree (2021)
- Young Professional Leadership Council, Virginia Chapter
- Chair, Finest Committee, Young Professional Leadership Council (2023-2024)
- My Princess Project
- Board Member (2021)
- Former Head Coach, Girls on the Run of Greater Richmond (2015-2017)
- Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
- Associate Trustee (2019-2021)
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