Rick helps people with a variety of legal issues, ranging from business formation to criminal and traffic defense. He is originally from New Jersey, but moved to Virginia to pursue an undergraduate degree in finance at Virginia Tech. From Blacksburg, he set out for Athens, Georgia where he completed law school at The University of Georgia in 1991. Shortly after graduation, he joined the law firm of Copenhaver, Ellet & Derrico.
Not only is Rick a very capable attorney, but he also possesses both the compassion necessary to truly care for his clients and a down-to-earth demeanor that allows him to relate to those he represents. He continuously pushes for the best possible outcome for his clients and has been told by clients that they appreciate how relentless he is in defending their rights.
When not practicing law, Rick stays active by supporting the community, spending time with his family, and playing rugby. He’s currently a member of the Roanoke Rugby Football Club and volunteers his time at the Commonwealth Catholic Charities and the Legal Aid Society.
Bar Admissions
- Virginia, 1991
- Georgia, 1991
- U.S. District Court Western District of Virginia, 1991
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1991
Education
- University of Georgia School of Law, Athens, Georgia
- J.D. – 1991
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- B.S. (Magna Cum Laude) – 1988
- Major: Finance
Representative Cases
- Stanley v. Webber, 260 Va. 90 (Va. Supreme 2000)
- Peggy A. Musselman v. The Glass Works, LLC, 260 Va. 342 (Va. Supreme 2000)
Representative Clients
- Thompson Family Chiropractic
- Branch Banking & Trust Company of Virginia
- SynaptiCad, Inc. (Software Development)
- Morco Construction, Inc.
- Cundiff Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
- Southern Comfort Construction, Inc.
- Commonwealth Catholic Charities
- Bread Craft, Inc.
- ERBO Construction, Inc.
- Hanging Rock Estates Homeowners Association
- KNI Investments LLC
- Moyer Medical, Inc.
- Star City Interpreters, Inc.
- Fidelity National Title Insurance Co.
- Investors Title Company
- First American Title Insurance Co.
Classes/Seminars
- Adjunct Faculty, Business Law, Corporations, Business Organizations, Mary Baldwin College and Virginia Western Community College
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Roanoke Bar Association, Past Member, Board of Directors
- American Bar Association, Member
- Virginia State Bar, Member
- State Bar of Georgia, Member
- Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Past Chairman, Board
- Legal Aid Society, Director, 2003 – Present
- Total Action Against Poverty, Director, 2002 – 2008
- U.S. Naval Institute
- Roanoke Rugby Football Club
Pro Bono Activities
- Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley
- Commonwealth Catholic Charities
- St. Andrews Catholic Church
Fraternities/Sororities
- Beta Gamma Sigma
- Phi Delta Phi