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.
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 significance of this recognition extends beyond individual honors. Best Lawyers chooses honorees through peer review, meaning the recognition reflects the respect of other attorneys rather than self-nomination or paid placement. 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.
Emroch & Kilduff also received a Tier 1 ranking for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms. That ranking, combined with the individual honors, signals that the firm's reputation is not limited to a single star attorney but is embedded across its practice. For clients seeking representation in serious injury cases, such peer-reviewed accolades can serve as a shorthand for credibility and experience, particularly in a field where outcomes often depend on the firm's resources and trial experience.
"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's history adds context to the recognition. Emroch & Kilduff 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.
In a legal market where clients often struggle to distinguish among firms, the Best Lawyers designations offer an independent, peer-driven measure of quality. The fact that four of five attorneys at Emroch & Kilduff have now earned that distinction suggests a consistent level of expertise that could influence how potential clients choose representation in complex personal injury matters.
