Leading Litigator John Erbach Joins Whiteford in Richmond
Date: September 14, 2026
Mr. Erbach’s intellectual property practice includes patent infringement, trade secret litigation and other complex technology-related disputes. He also represents businesses and individuals in a range of complex commercial matters and is consistently named to Virginia Business magazine’s “Legal Elite.”
In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Erbach serves as outside general counsel to small and medium-sized businesses, advising clients on commercial disputes, employment matters, dispute resolution and other day-to-day legal needs. He also regularly serves as local counsel for national and international law firms with matters pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
"John is the kind of lawyer clients want trying their case — someone who has actually stood in front of a jury and won," said Vern Inge, Managing Partner of Whiteford's Richmond office. "His standing with the Eastern District of Virginia bar and his experience serving as local counsel for firms around the country make him an immediate asset to our clients, and a great fit as we continue to grow Whiteford's presence throughout the Commonwealth."
Outside of his practice, Mr. Erbach is the President-Elect of the Federal Bar Association’s Richmond Chapter for 2026-2027, having recently co-chaired the chapter’s national convention committee that brought the FBA’s national convention to Richmond, and a member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. He is also active in the Greater Richmond community, having served a four-year term representing the Dale District of Chesterfield County, Virginia on the county’s School Board.