Whiteford Names Five New Partners
Date: January 2, 2026
Ross C. Allen. Mr. Allen is a litigation-focused attorney with a cross-disciplinary practice spanning real estate and corporate matters. He represents clients in litigation matters in Virginia’s Circuit Courts and in United States Federal District Courts throughout the country, bringing courtroom-tested judgment to complex business and real property conflicts. He also advises on and completes commercial real estate and corporate transactions, including purchase agreements, leasing, title, mechanic’s liens and zoning matters. Recognized as Virginia Business “Legal Elite,” Mr. Allen served as a past CLE Chair of the Chesterfield Bar Association and as an Area Representative for the Real Property Section of the Virgina State Bar. He is based in Richmond.
Robert N. Drewry. Mr. Drewry’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation for a variety of businesses and individuals. In connection with his litigation practice, he also advises clients on various governance and regulatory compliance matters. His experience spans several industries, disciplines and jurisdictions. In addition to his litigation practice, he has a particular focus on sports law and rapidly emerging industries, such as the gaming industry. Prior to private practice, Mr. Drewry served as an Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia, representing state agencies in administrative and civil matters, while also gaining experience with FOIA compliance, regulatory review, and appeals. He currently serves as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee for the Richmond Bar Association. He is based in Richmond.
Rafiq R. Gharbi. Mr. Gharbi counsels employers on labor and employment law and defends management against claims related to discrimination, wage and hour law, restrictive covenants and unfair labor practices. He regularly appears in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies such as the EEOC, NLRB and Department of Labor. His practice includes representing clients with local, national, and international presences, and he serves as general counsel to private companies, nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations. Recognized in Maryland Rising Stars for Employment Litigation: Defense, he provides practical guidance to a wide range of employers. A native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore and a Tunisian national, he is admitted to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Mr. Gharbi is based in Baltimore.
Claudia Lopez-Knapp. Ms. Lopez-Knapp is a litigation-focused attorney with a practice focused on representing condominium and homeowner associations and housing cooperatives. She guides clients through the full spectrum of governance issues—from day-to-day business operations, elections and governing documents interpretation to document amendments and covenant enforcement. In addition to her association work, she represents a diverse roster of non-association clients, advocating for them at every stage of the litigation process. She prosecutes and defends commercial and property disputes involving breach of contract, fraud, easements, warranty claims, adverse possession and breach of fiduciary duty. Admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Virginia, she is fluent in Spanish and is based in Falls Church.
Joshua D. Stiff. Mr. Stiff focuses on commercial litigation, bankruptcy, debtor and creditors’ rights, representing debtors, creditors, committees, trustees and other parties in liquidations, restructurings, workouts and distressed asset transactions. He has counseled a full range of parties in bankruptcy matters, including debtor businesses, debtor in possession lenders, equity holders, official committees of unsecured creditors, lessors, vendors and other creditors. He litigates all manner of bankruptcy and insolvency related proceedings, including director and officer liability, preference and fraudulent transfer actions, claims disputes and nondischargeability proceedings. Recognized as Virginia Business “Legal Elite” and Coastal Virginia “Top Lawyers,” his experience spans the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia bankruptcy and district courts. He is based in Virginia Beach.
About Whiteford: Whiteford provides a comprehensive range of business law and litigation services to clients ranging from innovative start-ups to middle market companies to Fortune 100 enterprises. With a growing East Coast footprint that includes offices in Delaware, D.C., Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina and Virginia, we serve clients regionally, nationally and internationally.