Two partners at the Richmond personal injury firm Emroch & Kilduff have been named to The Best Lawyers in America for the first time. Christopher L. Spinelli and Philip S. "Ward" Marstiller Jr. were both recognized in the 2027 edition for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in Richmond.
Spinelli handles medical malpractice and serious injury cases for the firm. Marstiller focuses on personal injury cases, and Virginia Super Lawyers has recognized him since 2013. Their inclusion marks the first time either attorney has appeared on the Best Lawyers list.
Two of their colleagues were already on the list. William B. Kilduff, a named partner who has been with the firm since 1979, has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2010. He is recognized for Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Edward J. McNelis III was recognized for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in both the 2026 and 2027 editions. With these additions, four of the firm's five attorneys now hold Best Lawyers recognition.
The recognition matters because Best Lawyers is widely regarded as a definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States. Honorees are selected through a rigorous peer-review process, meaning that other attorneys judge the caliber of their work. For the 33rd edition, released Aug. 20, 2026, more than 32,000 lawyers submitted 3.8 million evaluations. The list covers about the top 5 percent of practicing attorneys in the U.S., and Best Lawyers called this year's edition the most selective in the award's history.
For clients in Northern Virginia and the surrounding areas, including Fairfax and Arlington counties, the implications are significant. When choosing legal representation for a personal injury or medical malpractice case, peer recognition can serve as a trusted indicator of an attorney's skill and reputation. The fact that four of Emroch & Kilduff's five attorneys have achieved this honor suggests a deep bench of experienced litigators, which can be crucial in complex cases that require substantial resources and expertise.
Emroch & Kilduff also received a Tier 1 ranking for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms. "Chris and Ward have done this work the right way for a long time, and it means something when other lawyers notice," said Howard Bullock, managing partner of Emroch & Kilduff. "Bill and Ed set that standard here years ago. Seeing four of our attorneys on this list tells me we're still holding to it."
The firm has represented injured people in Virginia for more than 50 years. Walter H. Emroch founded the firm in 1970, and it has used its current name since 1998. The firm represents only injured people. It never represents insurance companies, corporations or hospitals. Its attorneys handle car and truck accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death and other serious injury cases from offices in Richmond and Tappahannock, and they have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured Virginians.
This latest recognition reinforces the firm's standing as a leading advocate for plaintiffs in Virginia. For residents of Northern Virginia, it signals that they have access to attorneys who are consistently recognized by their peers for their dedication and success in personal injury litigation.
