LYNCHBURG and DANVILLE, VA – Petty, Livingston, Dawson & Richards, P.C. (“Petty Livingston”) and Southern Virginia Legal PLLC (“SoVa Legal”) today announced the merger of their firms, effective January 1, 2024, to become PLDR Law.

The combination of Petty Livingston and SoVa Legal will create a 16-lawyer firm operating from offices in Lynchburg and Danville and serving communities across Central and Southern Virginia.

This includes the addition of Holly Trent, an experienced health care attorney who most recently served as senior vice president and chief legal officer for Centra Health, who will join the firm’s employment law group and develop and lead the firm’s health care practice.

Scott Kowalski, President of Petty Livingston, said: “We are thrilled to announce this merger of two accomplished firms. Petty Livingston has experienced significant growth the last two years, and SoVa Legal has developed a tremendous reputation assisting clients who are helping to drive economic revitalization in the Danville area. By combining our resources and talents, we can expand our offerings to clients even further. The addition of Holly Trent is a key component of that expansion.”

Steven Gould, founder and managing attorney of SoVa Legal, said: “We have enjoyed a strong collaboration with the attorneys at Petty Livingston in recent years to supplement the business, employment, and estate planning services we offer to our clients. The opportunity to join forces allows us to ensure that the Danville market continues to be served by a robust, full-service firm that can grow with our community.”

Jim Richards, named partner with Petty Livingston, said: “More and more, the futures of communities across Central and Southern Virginia are linked to one another. Creating a truly regional firm that can meet the diverse needs of not just our cities but the towns and rural areas around us just makes sense.”

Holly Trent said: “I am excited to join the team at PLDR Law in January and to assist businesses and professionals across the region. Health care law is increasingly complex, and I look forward to using my experience across employment, regulatory, and health care matters to help clients navigate this world.”

Kowalski will serve as the president of the combined regional firm, and Gould will chair its transactional practice and manage the Danville office.