A trusted problem-solver, litigator for business, individual, and government clients
Over the years, Billy Tunner has built a reputation with clients as the one who stays calm in the face of mounting pressure and adversarial forces. Large national companies, government attorneys, insurance companies, and professionals trust Billy for his counsel and success litigating in Virginia’s state and federal courts, and before state agencies. “I love what I do,” says Billy, respected by his peers as one of the Commonwealth’s top litigators. “I could not imagine doing anything else for a living. It is such an honor and a privilege to be selected by someone to be their lawyer, and it’s a solemn responsibility I take very seriously.”
Lead counsel in over 45 jury trials through verdict and countless bench trials and hearings, Billy is trusted by a diverse set of clients, including large and small companies, Virginia’s constitutional officers, state agencies, universities, and licensed professionals — plus everyday people with a legal problem who just need a loyal lawyer. “No matter the client, they all face challenges of trying to get a fair and just result in an antagonistic, adversarial legal system,” he says.
“Every case has similarities in terms of procedure and process, but each one is unique,” Billy says. “I enjoy the problem-solving aspects and building a strategy that creates a path to success in a case.”
Billy also serves as outside general counsel to business clients, advising on employment, risk management, and contractual matters.
In 2020, Billy was elected President of the firm and began his term January 1, 2021.
In February 2014, Billy was appointed Special Counsel to the Opportunity Educational Institution by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe. Billy is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, named in Virginia Business magazine as one of the Legal Elite in civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution, and is regularly named in Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers for his work in civil litigation in Virginia. He was selected as a Leader in the Law 2022 honoree by Virginia Lawyers Weekly and featured in the 2024 Virginia Lawyers Weekly Managing Partner Spotlight.
Practices
Bankruptcy, Creditors' Rights, and Restructuring
Civil Litigation
- Commercial, Contract, and Corporate Governance Disputes
- Federal Courts and Local Counsel Practice
- Government, Public Official, and Municipal Liability Defense
- Insurance Coverage Disputes
- Property, Casualty, and Business Liability Defense
- Real Estate and Land Use Disputes
Professional Licensure, Administrative, and Regulatory Disputes
Representative Experience
- Defense of businesses, corporations, insured and self-insured entities, and individuals in defamation, catastrophic bodily injury, fiduciary duty, and wrongful death suits
- Representation of local Electoral Boards and Registrars in Voting Rights and Election Law litigation
- Defense of Virginia and North Carolina Sheriffs, Court Clerks, Commonwealth’s Attorneys, Police Officers, and other Constitutional Officers in §1983 civil rights, excessive force, wrongful death, employment, and other common law claims
- Representation of engineers, physicians, nurses, and other professionals before state licensing disciplinary boards
- Representation of home health care companies in Medicaid Fraud Appeals (DMAS)
- Representation of assisted living facilities in licensing appeals
- Defense of attorneys before the Virginia State Bar
- Defense of mortgage lenders, mortgage servicers, consumer lenders, banks, and other financial services companies in federal and state consumer protection related claims
- Advising business clients as outside general counsel in the areas of risk management, employment agreements, and contracts
- Representation of individuals in catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims
Representative cases
- Washington v. Marks, the defense of a police officer in an excessive force case
- Cameron Building v. Virginia State University, representing the university in the defense of a $1.5 million breach of lease case that was settled before trail for pennies on the dollar
- Estate of Jaymycheal Mitchell v. Hampton Roads Regional Jail, in the defense of jail officers in the wrongful death case of a young man who died at the jail
- In Re: Anthony Spencer, defending a prosecutor before the Virginia State Bar
- In Re: Chris Abate, defending the CEO of a Fortune 500 company before the Board of Accountancy
- Schintzius et al v. Showalter, defending the City of Richmond Registrar in an election challenge in federal court; the case was dismissed after a trial
Recognition
- AV Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of Commercial Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (2013-2025); “Lawyer of the Year” for Richmond, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (2025)
- Virginia Business Magazine’s “Legal Elite”, Civil Litigation category (2009-2013, 2015-2024), Legislative/Administrative/Regulatory category (2014)
- Selected to Super Lawyers Virginia list, Civil Litigation: Defense category (2007-2014, 2024); Business Litigation category (2015-2023); Top Business Litigation Lawyer (2020); Top 50 Richmond (2012, 2015); Business Edition (2012); Top 100 (2012-2013, 2015); Rising Star (2007)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law List (2022)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly Managing Partners Spotlight (2024)
Education
- University of Richmond School of Law, J.D.
- Washington & Lee, Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy, Pi Kappa Alpha
Admissions
- All Virginia courts including the Supreme Court of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia
- U.S Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia
Affiliations
- Virginia State Bar
- The Defense Research Institute
- West Richmond Businessmen’s Association
- Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
- The Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
- Legislative Affairs Committee member
- Richmond Bar Association
- Membership Committee
- Past member of the CLE Committee
- Lewis F. Powell, Jr., American Inn of Court
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
- Virginia House of Delegates House Ethics Advisory Panel (2020-2024)
- Local Government Attorneys of Virginia
- Virginia Squash Racquets Association, Board Member
- Richmond Little League, Board of Directors
Billy Tunner and Rachel Adams to Present at 2024 VARJ Annual Conference