Michael Goodove has devoted his career to helping injured people. Michael specializes in automobile negligence, medical malpractice, product liability, premises liability, admiralty, worker’s compensation as well as complex civil litigation cases. Michael was selected as the 2014 class of “Leaders in the Law” and recognized by Virginia Lawyers Weekly as setting the standard for other lawyers and as a highly accomplished attorney. He has been recognized by Virginia Business Magazine as a Legal Elite Attorney in the Hampton Roads Business Observer in 1999 as one of “The Top Legal Beagles in Hampton Roads”, by the local CBS affiliate, News Channel 3, as a “Community Star”, and by Inside Business Magazine in 2005 as one of the Top Forty under 40 in the Hampton Roads Community. He was selected as a “Super Lawyer” in Virginia in the area of plaintiff’s personal injury law by the Law and Politics and Richmond Magazine Publications. Additionally he was named as a “Rising Star” as one of the top young lawyers in Virginia in 2007, by Virginia Business Magazine. Michael was nominated and selected as the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” by The National Trial Lawyers. Michael was selected as a fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation, which is an honor conferred on a small number of Virginia lawyers with integrity and character who are outstanding in their profession and communities.  He has also been selected as a “Top Lawyer” in the area of Civil Litigation by Coastal Virginia Magazine.

As President of the Southside Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving since (“MADD”) 1992, Michael continues assisting victims of impaired drivers on a daily basis. Michael received the MADD 20th Anniversary Difference Maker Award in 2000. He has handled numerous cases against drunk drivers often pursuing offenders above the insurance coverages. In one case, Michael required a drunk driver to personally pay for a fund established at the victim’s elementary school library to purchase books special to the victim. He prides himself on his hands on personal approach to representing his clients.
Selected as a member of the 2014 class of “Leaders in the Law” and recognized by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly as setting the standard for other lawyers and as a highly accomplished attorney. Selected as a 2014 fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation, which is an honor conferred on a small number of Virginia Lawyers with integrity and character who are outstanding in their profession and communities. Listed by Virginia Business Magazine in 2004 and 2007 as the “Legal Elite–The Best in the Business”, Awarded “2004 Virginia Legal Elite”, “Virginia’s Legal Elite 2007” by Virginia Business Magazine; Listed by the Hampton Roads Business Observer in 1999, as one of “The Top Legal Beagles in Hampton Roads.”; Awarded “Community Star” recognition by News Channel 3, the local CBS news affiliate; “Top Forty under 40” Award by Inside Business Magazine in 2005; Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) 20th Anniversary Difference Maker Award in 2000; Selected as a “Super Lawyer” in Virginia in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and named as a “Rising Star” as one of the Top Young Lawyers in Virginia in 2007 in the area of plaintiff’s personal injury law by the Law and Politics and Richmond Magazine Publications. Selected as the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.

Virginia Beach, Norfolk-Portsmouth and American Bar Associations; Virginia State Bar; Virginia Trial Lawyers Association; The American Association for Justice; Mothers Against Drunk Driving(MADD); The National Trial Lawyers.

“Demonstrative Evidence: Silent Witness,” The Journal, Summer 1999; West Group Practice Guide, “Handling an Automobile Negligence Case in Virginia”, Chapter 9; “Tips for an Effective Closing Argument in a Soft Tissue Injury Case,” Virginia Trial Lawyers, November 1995; “Tips for Effective Opening and Closing Arguments in Soft Tissue, Low Impact Cases,” The Journal, Fall 1997; “Tips for Maximizing a Punitive Damage Recovery in a DUI Case.” The Journal, Volume 19, Number 4 (2008). Editor, The Journal, 1998-2002.

“There’s a Killer on the Road: Punitive Damages in Drunk Driving Cases,” Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, February 2001; “Maximizing Recovery in Auto Accident Cases: Using Punitive Damages Against Drunk Drivers to Enhance Full Recovery”, VTLA, May 2002. Punitive Damages in Drunk Driving Cases Retreat, Virginia Trial Lawyers, December 2003, Co-chairman. “Basic Medicine: Essentials for the Trial Lawyer”, 2005 Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Advocacy Seminar in Norfolk and Fairfax. Chairman, Virginia Trial Lawyers’ 2006 Tort Law Seminar, Proving Punitive Damages in DUI Cases–Anatomy of a DUI Punitive Damage Case in Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke and Fairfax. Maximizing Personal Injury Settlements and Obtaining Punitive Damages Against Drunk Drivers, Virginia Beach Bar Association Seminar, February 2011.  “Evidence for the Trial Lawyer”, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, October 2017.

Other Activities President, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 1992 – present; MADD 20th Anniversary Difference Maker Award, 2000. Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Legislative Key Contacts Committee 2003, Litigation Support Committee 2009, Membership Committee 2010, 2011. Member, Community Advisory Council for the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board. Vice Chairman, Southern Bank–Hampton Roads Regional Advisory Board

Hyman v. Food Lion, Inc., 1994 U.S. App. LEXIS 12498 (1994); Clohessy v. Weiler, 462 S.E.2d 94 (1995); Rusher v. Lowe’s Home Ctrs., Inc. 1996 U.S. App. LEXIS 20219 (4th Cir. 1996).

Norfolk, Virginia
Lifelong Resident of Hampton Roads