Woods Rogers: Providing Solutions
Woods Rogers has a long history with TAP. Michael J. Hertz, a principal with the firm, just came off a nine-year term serving on TAP’s Board of Directors. Thomas M. Winn III, the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Co-Chair, has served as counsel to TAP for a number of years. He’s focused primarily on helping the HR department with employment law issues.
“It’s an easy decision to support TAP,” says Mike. “Many people don’t realize that TAP has its hand in so many things.” He cites legal aid, elder care, HeadStart, a relationship with Habitat for Humanity, and other areas TAP administers, initially founded, or participates in as examples. “They’re just a giant driver of good.”
“We’ve been around a long time,” says Tom. “Our firm was founded in 1893 in Roanoke. We like to support the communities we serve, so we have active programs in all the communities where we have offices. But, if you’re going to support the Roanoke Valley, what better organization to support than TAP? TAP is a very easy choice when you’re trying to invest in the community because that’s what TAP’s all about.”
Over the years, Woods Rogers has grown its geographical reach. This included an historic merger in 2022 with Vandeventer Black in Norfolk. With this, government contracting and maritime law were added as practice groups and existing practice groups were strengthened. The merger created Virginia’s fifth largest law firm. It’s one that spans the entire Commonwealth. The firm has offices in Norfolk, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, and Roanoke.
The pair’s longevity with Woods Rogers says a lot about the culture. Tom joined the firm in 1993 as an attorney, after working there during college. Mike has been there since 2006. Both started their law practice with Woods Rogers and have stayed there since. “We care about our people, take care of our people,” says Mike. That includes non-lawyer staff. “It’s a collaborative, congenial atmosphere,” added Tom.
Services include the full range of business and professional legal issue support. Attorneys consult with each other across offices. This teamwork provides deep talent for solving challenges. “We really try to make the client problem or issue our own,” says Mike. He explains how much each attorney cares about the people they work with, whether that’s clients or firm team members. Tom cites responsiveness and customer service as practice hallmarks.
“In the years that I’ve worked with TAP, I’ve found the leadership to be excellent,” explains Tom. “There are so many tendrils into community needs that probably most people don’t know about. What a wonderful organization led by really caring, competent people. Our firm is in the business of helping our clients find solutions to problems. By supporting TAP, we’re doing something additional to help members of our community we likely wouldn’t be encountering professionally. We’re helping parts of the community that greatly need help but typically would be outside the scope of services we provide as a law firm.”
Tom’s history with Angela Penn, TAP’s President & CEO, goes back over twenty years. They participated in Leadership Roanoke Valley together. “I certainly thought the world of her back then and my respect for her as a person and as a leader has only grown since that time,” he says.
The firm has been a TAP investor for four years at the Inspire Level. As Mike stepped off the board at the end of 2023, fellow Woods Rogers partner Zach Agee stepped on to continue the firm’s leadership support. “Woods Rogers has been a staunch supporter of TAP over the years,” says Angela Penn. “It’s been tremendous to have the support of Tom, Mike, and now Zach, as well as other members of the firm along the way as we strive, together, to transform lives.”