Vernon E. Inge, Jr.

One of Virginia's most respected trial lawyers, Vern Inge has built his career on decades of litigation successes. For a growing number of companies, he also serves as outside general counsel, advising them on their most significant and legally complex challenges. Increasingly, clients turn to him for guidance long before a dispute reaches a courtroom. His role as senior, trusted advisor has been recognized by leading organizations across a wide range of disciplines, including commercial litigation, banking and finance litigation, bankruptcy litigation, construction litigation municipal litigation, corporate law, real estate law, and entertainment and sports law.
 
A past President of the Richmond Bar Association and a Chambers USA–ranked litigator since 2019, Mr. Inge serves as outside general counsel for numerous small- to middle-market businesses, providing the continuous, senior-level counsel to companies traditionally reserved for in-house leadership: spotting issues before they escalate, coordinating specialized legal counsel, and serving as a single point of contact across litigation, transactions and regulatory matters. Matters on which he has recently advised include the defense of a chemical manufacturer against multimillion-dollar conspiracy claims; counseling a leading energy company through a confirmed Chapter 11 reorganization; representing European manufacturers in various business and litigation matters; and representing a celebrated university executive through years of high-stakes litigation to a very successful resolution.
 
In addition, Mr. Inge maintains a nationally recognized sports law practice — representing professional athletes, agents, and investors, including matters before the Major League Baseball Players Association and National Football League Players Association — and served as General Counsel to the Virginia State Golf Association for more than a decade. He teaches Sports and the Law as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Richmond School of Law.  

Recognitions

• Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, Virginia (2019–Present)
• Benchmark Litigation, Virginia (2014, 2016–Present)
• The Best Lawyers in America^®, Commercial Litigation,  Litigation - Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy, Construction and Municipal (2010–2027), Corporate Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2025-2027) Real Estate Law (2027)
  • "Lawyer of the Year" Richmond Litigation- Banking and Finance (2015); Richmond Litigation - Municipal (2021, 2026); Real Estate Law (2026)
• Virginia Super Lawyers^®, Business Litigation, Entertainment & Sports, Bankruptcy and Business Concerns (2012–Present)
• Virginia Business Magazine, "Legal Elite" in Banking & Finance Law (2013), Civil Litigation (2014–2016, 2020-2021, 2023-2024), Bankruptcy/Creditors’ Rights (2017–2019, 2022), Entertainment/Media/Sports Law (2025)
• Virginia State Bar Association, Pro Bono Service Honor Roll Member (2023-2026)
• The Virginia State Golf Association (VSGA), President's Award (2018)
• AV Preeminent^®: Martindale-Hubbell^® Peer Review Ratings™ (20+ years)
• Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Leaders in the Law (2025), Legal 250 Honoree- Business Litigation (2026)

Memberships & Activities

• Vice President: Virginia State Golf Association
• Former President: Richmond Bar Association; 2016-2017
• Member: Hanover County Bar Association
• Member: Virginia State Bar Association
• Member: American Bar Association
• Member: Sports Lawyers Association
• Member: Leadership Metro Richmond, Class of 2007
• Advisory Board Member: Virginia High School League, Inc.

Academic Experience

• Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law, Sports and The Law, University of Richmond School of Law, 2003–present
• Adjunct Instructor, Sports Law, Virginia Commonwealth University, Center for Sport Leadership, 2011–2013
• Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law, Lawyering Skills III (Trial Advocacy), University of Richmond School of Law, 2000–2009
• Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law, Sports Law, William and Mary School of Law, 2005–2007

• Represented a senior university executive in nearly four years of state and federal litigation against a major university, defending claims brought by the university while prosecuting the executive's multi-million dollar retirement-benefits and intellectual-property claims.
• Served as lead counsel to Meridien Energy, a full-service pipeline construction company, in its Chapter 11 reorganization; the plan of reorganization allowed the company to emerge as a going concern while preserving its litigation claims and eliminating opposing liabilities.
• Lead trial counsel successfully defending a chemical manufacturer against conspiracy and other claims exceeding $10 million.
• Served as special litigation counsel to the liquidating trustee in post-confirmation ERISA breach-of-fiduciary-duty litigation arising from New England Motor Freight's bankruptcy, pursuing claims against healthcare plan administrator.
• Lead counsel in many commercial real estate and tenancy disputes.
• Served as pro bono counsel in the corporate and real estate work supporting the City of Richmond's acquisition of three historic African American burial grounds, enabling their preservation, restoration, and use for community education.
• Represented a prominent former professional football player and media analyst in his appointment as head football coach at a Division I university.
• Represented the seller in the sale of a member-owned golf club to a private ownership group, an approximately $1.4 million transaction completed in 2022.
• Advises golf course and club owners, lenders, and members on golf-facility restructurings and sales nationwide.
• Represents professional athletes, agents, and investors in contract, investment, and litigation matters, including proceedings before the Major League Baseball Players Association and National Football League Players Association, with clients including leading athletes and some of the highest profile sports agents in the business.
• Represents numerous small- to middle-market companies as their outside General Counsel.

Co-Presenter, “March NIL Madness: Students, Athletes, Employees, Hired Talent,” Webinar, University of Richmond School of Law, April 10, 2025

Quoted, "In Its Latest Public Filings, Liberty U. Blasts the President Who Turned It Into a Billion-Dollar Behemoth,” by The Chronicle of Higher Education, June 29, 2022

Presenter, “Continuing the Fight to Ensure Equality and Social Justice: Name, Image and Likeness in Sports,” Webinar, Old Dominion Bar Association, February 2, 2022

Speaker, HOOS TALKIN, 910 AM/105.1 FM The FAN, WRNL, January 24, 2022

Co-Presenter, “Play through: COVID-related challenges for the golf industry,” Webinar, Virginia State Golf Association, May 4, 2020

Quoted, "Longtime LeClairRyan attorney to lead Baltimore firm’s new Richmond office," Richmond BizSense, July 30, 2018

Mentioned, "Revamped Cross Bros. market set to relaunch," Richmond BizSense, May 7, 2018

Quoted, "Developer files counterclaim in alley scrap," Richmond BizSense, May 11, 2017

Quoted, "Developers’ beef over alleyway spills into court," Richmond BizSense, March 27, 2017

Quoted, "Kickers look to take over City Stadium; $20M in upgrades planned," Richmond BizSense, November 17, 2016

“Professional Sports: Protecting from the Peril” CPE presentation hosted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, June 29, 2016

Quoted, “Deflategate Judges Seem to Buy into the NFL’s Smear Campaign Against Tom Brady,” Forbes, March 4, 2016

Quoted, “The NFL Faces Legal Obstacle In Its Peyton Manning HGH Investigation,” Forbes, January 27, 2016

Quoted, "Financial firm’s bankrupt shell settles two lawsuits," Richmond BizSense, October 20, 2015

“Briefs on Recent Cases of Interest to Local Government Attorneys”, Local Government of Attorneys of Virginia Fall 2015 Conference at The Hotel Roanoke, October 15, 2015

Quoted, “Roger Goodell’s Power May Not Take A Hit After Deflategate Ruling,” Forbes, September 3, 2015

Quoted, “The Deflategate Verdict is a Victory for Common Sense,” Boston Magazine, September 3, 2015

Quoted, “A Deflategate Settlement Wouldn’t Benefit Tom Brady or the NFL,” Boston Magazine, August 20, 2015

Quoted, "Years later, lawsuits and debt still haunt investment firm deal," Richmond BizSense, April 27, 2015

Quoted, “Student or Employee?” Virginia Business, June 28, 2014

Mentioned, "Debt dispute hits shell of former downtown firm," Richmond BizSense, May 21, 2014

Mentioned, "Trolley dispute rerouted to courthouse," Richmond BizSense, February 19, 2013

Quoted, “Roseland hopes solution lies in sub-division,” Richmond BizSense, February 4, 2013

Mentioned, "How a relationship went off the rails," Richmond BizSense, November 8, 2012

Mentioned, "Former NBA player sued in Richmond," Richmond BizSense, August 30, 2012

“Risk Management for Athlete Safety and To Protect Facilities from Spectator Lawsuits,” Sports Litigation Alert, July 15, 2012

Quoted, “Dominion Club to press ahead,” Richmond-Times Dispatch, December 8, 2011

Quoted, “Dominion is almost out of the sand trap,” Richmond BizSense, December 7, 2011

Quoted, “Dominion Club plan to reorganize in limbo,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 11, 2011

Quoted, “County banks on city for reservoir land,” Tidewater Review, March 26, 2008