S. W. Dawson, Esq., is the founder and managing member of Dawson, P.L.C. Mr. Dawson specializes in bespoke litigation strategies, particularly in the realm of state and federal criminal defense. Mr. Dawson regularly represents clients throughout the entire Commonwealth of Virginia, but maintains his most active presence in the Hampton Roads and Northern Neck regions of Virginia. Over the course of his career, Mr. Dawson has successfully defended countless Virginians and visitors who have faced serious felony or misdemeanor charges in either state or federal court. He has successfully defended clients facing the most serious allegations imaginable, to include: homicide, money laundering, fraud, narcotics violations, rape, driving under the influence (DUI/DWI) and more. Mr. Dawson has also represented clients all over the United States in asset forfeiture cases (which are matters in which the Government attempts to seize and keep a citizen's property). Mr. Dawson also helps clients both in prosecuting and defending claims for monetary damages. Mr. Dawson particularly enjoys collecting debts owed to businesses and individuals. Active in his professional community, Mr. Dawson is a member of the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Northern Neck Bar Association, and he has lectured on legal topics for several organizations. He sits on the board of directors of Norfolk Festevents, Ltd., and GraceInside, a prison ministry founded in 1920. In recognition of his accomplishments, Mr. Dawson has been recognized for many years in peer-to-peer review publications such as Virginia Super Lawyer Magazine, Virginia Business Magazine, and Coastal Virginia Magazine, among others. Mr. Dawson holds a license to practice law before all Virginia state courts, the United States District Courts for the Eastern District and Western District of Virginia, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Since 1983, Attorney George Albiston has been representing injured people who have suffered serious and permanent injuries. His practice has included all types of cases, including wrongful death, brain injury, and other serious injuries. George's focus has always been on trying to help those injured or bereaved by the negligence of others. He came to understand that this practice involves helping people during the most difficult time in their lives, financially, physically, and emotionally. George has always done that with compassion and understanding. He has been recognized by his peers for personal injury in Best Lawyers in America from 2011-2021, Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury 2011-2021, Virginia Legal Elite 2011-20211, and the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers from 2012-2021

Charles B. Lustig joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers as an attorney in January, 2020. Charles grew up in Norfolk, Virginia and received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia. He has been practicing law in Virginia for more than 30 years and has extensive experience helping injured clients in both trial and appellate courts. Mr. Lustig has handled cases in nearly every circuit court in Tidewater, Virginia including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton and Newport News. In his spare time, Charles is an avid U.V.A. sports fan and enjoys bicycling and live music.

Jim Hurley has been practicing law throughout Virginia for more than two-and-a-half decades. During his career, he has tried more than 100 jury trials — a staggering number — and handled hundreds more that were settled out of court. He is guided by the principle that the client is in charge of his or her case and should be kept fully aware of the litigation process. Jim has been awarded an AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating given, for his practice of law. He was named in Virginia Super Lawyers in 2014-2020. Jim lives in the Larchmont area of Norfolk. He is married to Pam, a Norfolk schoolteacher and has two children who are presently studying at college. Every year, Jim Hurley supports countless good causes in the Hampton Roads area and further afield.

Michael Salasky built a successful personal injury practice over the course of 40 years representing countless people who were needlessly hurt through no fault of their own. It was and is his privilege to right these wrongs for his clients. His efforts resulted in many millions of dollars being awarded to his clients for their proven injuries. Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, Michael attended Norfolk Academy and graduated college from Tufts University in Boston where he received a B.A. in English. He received his law degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in 1977. For several years he worked as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Norfolk and prosecuted all varieties of criminal cases, from traffic matters to murder cases. After a two year stint as an associate in a private law office, he opened his own law practice in 1982. Before concentrating his work on injury cases, Michael gained a wealth of experience over the years handling divorce and custody matters, real estate, collections, bankruptcy, construction law, contract matters, criminal cases and other disputes. His practice is currently focused on representing injured parties. Over the years he has participated in the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, served as a judge on City of Norfolk grievance panels, and served local civic organizations. He is married to Prue Salasky, who is a retired educator, journalist and editorial writer. They have three daughters.

Joe has been practicing injury law for over 31 years in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area. He is admitted to practice law in both Virginia and North Carolina. He has also successfully represented injured victims on a ‘pro hac vice’ basis in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Maryland, and Florida. Joe earned his B.A. at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, in 1984. He is a graduate of the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at William & Mary, where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1987. Joe was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., but he has spent most of his life in the Hampton Roads area, having grown up in the Churchland area of Portsmouth and the Western Branch area of Chesapeake. He graduated from Western Branch High School in 1980. He currently resides in Norfolk, VA with his wife, two daughters, and their Australian Shepard, ‘Luna’ Outside of law practice, Joe enjoys engaging in religious studies, playing guitar, writing and recording music in his music studio, mountain biking, snow skiing, and just spending time with his family at home. Joe says his favorite part of practicing law is, “when it is crystal clear that the client you are helping is in dire need of your services. You realize that if the two of you had not been brought together, this person would likely be making choices that would have severe adverse consequences for him or her. It feels really good when you can present an injured client with advice and a plan of action that puts him or her on the right path to a successful future, a new start, and financial security. Just knowing that the client is sleeping better at night—with fewer clouds of worry and doubt that were there before you came along— that helps me sleep better as well."

Paul Thomas is an experienced lawyer proudly serving Virginia Beach, Virginia and the neighboring communities. He practices law in the following areas: Personal Injury, Traffic law including DUI, Domestic Law and Condo Association Law.

John Cooper is a veteran of personal injury law practice in Virginia. A native Virginian, he was raised in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. He has more than 30 years of experience handling personal injury cases and recently handled the largest auto accident settlement in 2010, according to VA Lawyers Weekly. The award provided $3.5 million to a child whose young father died when the vehicle he was a passenger in was rear-ended by a careless truck driver.

Michelle Mordue Helms is a distinguished DUI/DWI, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury and Family Law attorney who routinely handles cases throughout Hampton Roads and the surrounding areas. Her dedication to her clients, extensive knowledge of the law and her understanding of the applications of the law are what sets her apart from other lawyers. Attorney Helms has litigation experience in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, General District Court, and Circuit Court for all of Hampton Roads. Additionally, she has appeared in the Virginia Appellate Court and the Virginia Supreme Court. She has an outstanding reputation and is well respected. Michelle Mordue Helms began 31 years ago as a Paralegal working with some of the best and most aggressive law firms in New York. Once she received her law degree in New York, she practiced law with some of those same attorneys. Making a move to Virginia Beach, she got her law license in the state of Virginia and began practicing with some of the top law firms in the Hampton Roads area. She opened her private law firm several years ago. As head counsel, Attorney Helms makes each and every case important, focusing with confidence and determination to get the best outcome possible.

Brain injuries are devastating and life changing not only for the victim, but for their loved ones as well. Stephen M. Smith, Esq., the founder of Brain Injury Law Center, is an internationally recognized expert in traumatic brain injury litigation. He handles and assists with lawsuits and settlements across the United States and the world. If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury and are experiencing difficulties, contact him to learn about your rights by calling 757-650-9818.