Two partners at Richmond personal injury firm Emroch & Kilduff have been named to The Best Lawyers in America for the first time, a recognition that carries weight because it is earned through peer review rather than self-nomination or paid placement. Christopher L. Spinelli and Philip S. "Ward" Marstiller Jr. were both recognized in the 2027 edition for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in Richmond.
The announcement matters beyond the individual honors because it shows that a firm known for decades of plaintiff-side work is not relying on a single generation of name partners to carry its reputation. 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 means that clients seeking representation in complex injury matters now have four attorneys at the same firm whose peers have independently rated them among the top practitioners in their field.
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, a ratio that few plaintiff-side firms of any size can match.
Emroch & Kilduff also received a Tier 1 ranking for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms. That combination of individual and firm-wide recognition suggests a consistent standard of practice rather than isolated pockets of excellence. For injured Virginians deciding where to turn after a serious accident or act of medical negligence, the practical implication is that peer-reviewed validation now extends across nearly the entire roster, not just its most senior members.
"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."
Best Lawyers chooses honorees through peer review. 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. That selectivity is why first-time inclusion for Spinelli and Marstiller is more than a line on a biography; it is an external signal that the firm's bench strength extends well beyond its founding names.
The recognition also comes as Emroch & Kilduff continues a practice model that has defined it 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 and 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. In a legal market where defense firms often tout their size and resources, a plaintiff-only practice earning this level of peer recognition offers a counterargument: specialization and longevity can produce the kind of courtroom experience that other lawyers respect.
