Vernon E. Inge, Jr.

Vernon E. Inge, Jr.

PARTNER
RICHMOND
T: 804.977.3301
F: 804.977.3291

Mr. Inge focuses his practice on commercial litigation, including creditors' rights and banking/lender litigation for both debtors and creditors, local government litigation, construction litigation and sports law. He is a past President of the Richmond Bar Association.
 
Mr. Inge’s sports law practice focuses on the representation of professional athletes and sports agents with their special needs in legal matters such as litigation, bankruptcies and legal issues surrounding investments.  His practice heavily involves the golf industry.  He has represented owners, clubs, lenders and members in successful financial restructuring of courses and clubs. He also has represented numerous professional players, agents and investors. Mr. Inge served as General Counsel to the Virginia State Golf Association, Inc., for over a decade and is now on the Board of Directors of that organization.

Recognitions

  • Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, Virginia, Band 2 (2019–Present)
  • Benchmark Litigation, Virginia Construction "Litigation Star" (2014, 2016–Present)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation,  Litigation - Banking & Finance, Litigation - Bankruptcy, Litigation - Construction, and Litigation - Municipal (2010–Present); Richmond Litigation- Banking and Finance "Lawyer of the Year" (2015); Richmond Litigation - Municipal "Lawyer of the Year" (2021)
  • 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) and Bankruptcy/Creditors’ Rights (2017–2019, 2022)
  • The Virginia State Golf Association (VSGA), President's Award (2018)
  • AV Preeminent®: Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ (20+ years)
 

Memberships & Activities

  • Member: Richmond Bar Association; President, 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 Assistant Professor of Law, Lawyering Skills III (Trial Advocacy), University of Richmond School of Law, 2000–2009
  • Adjunct Instructor, Sports Law, Virginia Commonwealth University, Center for Sport Leadership, 2011–2013
  • Best Lawyers Designation
  • Benchmark Litigation Designation
  • Chambers and Partners Designation
PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS

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

ARTICLES

Client Alert: FTC Proposal to Ban All Non-Compete Clauses – Legal Update

Non-compete clauses impact approximately one in five American employees or 30 million people. The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently proposed a ban on non-compete clauses in employment agreements. On January 11, 2023, Whiteford published an Alert on this proposal, but here’s an update about what you need to know regarding the ban and reports of recent FTC action to enforce these restrictions. 

Client Alert: Your Corporation Could be Sued Virtually Anywhere – New Personal Jurisdiction Decision Causes Concern

Companies are now subject to jurisdiction in places that do not have a significant relationship to the dispute.

The Century-old Supreme Court case, Pennsylvania Fire Insurance v. Gold Issue Mining, established the “consent in registration” principle that states can exercise jurisdiction over corporations not headquartered or incorporated in the state as long as they register to do business there. On June 27, 2023, in Mallory v. Norfolk Southern, the Supreme Court held that a Pennsylvania state trial court could exercise personal jurisdiction over a non-Pennsylvania company in a suit arising out of non-Pennsylvania conduct due to this consent. Companies registered to do business in a state can now be sued in that state even when the state has little or no connection to the case.

Client Alert: A Gift for NCAA Athletes? The NLRB Finds Merit for Employee-Athletes

On December 15, 2022, The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) handed down a finding of merit in Case 31-CA-290326 brought by the National College Players Association (“NCPA”) on behalf of men’s and women’s basketball and football players that charged the University of Southern California (“USC”), the PAC-12 Conference (“PAC-12”) and the National Collegiate Athletics Association (“NCAA”) with an unfair labor practice, alleging they had systematically misclassified players as “student-athlete” nonemployees instead of employees to prevent the athletes from realizing their rights under the National Labor Relations Act.

Client Alert: COVID-19 Class Action

COVID-19’s widespread health and economic crisis is tailor made for class action litigation.  We’re already seeing numerous class actions filed only two months after widely dispersed disease was first seen around the U.S.  Not only are class actions proliferating, but they include subjects which vary widely from the typical consumer and shareholder matters we typically see.

Richmond’s BizSense on the Move by Inge and Booker to Whiteford

On July 30, leading Richmond-area business publication BizSense led with a story about the move to Whiteford, Taylor & Preston by prominent Richmond litigators Vernon Inge and Corey Booker: “A veteran local lawyer says he’s in search of the ‘A-team’ of area attorneys as he begins to build a large regional law firm’s first Richmond office.”


PRESENTATIONS

Webinar: Playing Through: COVID-Related Challenges for the Golf Industry

A panel presentation by the Virginia State Golf Association (“VSGA”) and Whiteford, Taylor & Preston on the leading operational, business and legal challenges facing the golf industry during the COVID pandemic.  Insights and strategies from VSGA leadership and Whiteford lawyers experienced in advising on key employment, financial and management issues.

NEWS

36 Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that thirty-six of its attorneys are listed among the 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

13 Whiteford Lawyers Recognized by Benchmark Litigation in 2024

Benchmark Litigation, the widely respected guide to leading litigation firms and lawyers, has announced that thirteen Whiteford attorneys have been named 2024 “Litigation Stars,” “Future Stars,” “Labor and Employment Stars,” and “40 & Under” in DC, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia (*new recognition in 2024).

A Record 87 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2024, Ten Selected as “Ones to Watch”

87 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 (copyright 2023 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). New practice areas of recognition include CleanTech Law and Entertainment and Sports Law. The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the Best Lawyers website, at bestlawfirms.com.

16 Whiteford Lawyers Recognized by Benchmark Litigation in 2023

Benchmark Litigation, the widely respected guide to leading litigation firms and lawyers, has announced that sixteen Whiteford attorneys have been named 2023 “Litigation Stars,” “Future Stars,” “Labor and Employment Stars,” and “40 & Under Hotlist” in DC, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

73 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2023, Six Selected as “Lawyer of the Year”

73 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 (copyright 2022 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

Chambers Honors Whiteford in 14 Practice Areas

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has once again ranked the firm highly in its 2022 list of leading firms and business lawyers. This year’s recognition includes 29 attorneys in 14 practice areas at the National and State level.

16 Whiteford Lawyers Recognized by Benchmark Litigation

Benchmark Litigation, the widely respected guide to leading litigation firms and lawyers has announced that sixteen Whiteford attorneys have been named 2022 “Litigation Stars,” “Future Stars,” “Labor and Employment Stars,” and “40 & Under Hotlist” in DC, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

75 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2022, Eight Named “Ones to Watch”

A record 75 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 (copyright 2021 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

Chambers Honors Whiteford in 11 Practice Areas

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has once again ranked the firm highly in its 2021 list of leading firms and business lawyers. This year’s recognition includes 25 attorneys in 11 practice areas in 3 states and the District of Columbia.

71 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2021, Six Named “Lawyer of the Year”

A record 71 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021 (copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

Chambers Honors Whiteford in 10 Practice Areas

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has once again ranked the firm highly in its 2020 list of leading firms and business lawyers. This year’s recognition includes 23 attorneys in 10 practice areas in 3 states and the District of Columbia.

A Record 11 Whiteford Lawyers Recognized as Benchmark Litigation Stars

Earlier this year, Benchmark Litigation named Whiteford, Taylor & Preston its 2019 “Maryland Law Firm of the Year.” Today, the widely respected guide to leading litigation firms and lawyers has announced that a record eleven Whiteford attorneys have been named 2020 “Litigation Stars” and “Future Stars” in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
 

Leading Litigators Join Whiteford, Taylor & Preston in New Richmond Office

Whiteford Taylor & Preston announced today that preeminent Richmond-based litigators Vernon E. Inge, Jr., and Corey Simpson Booker have joined the firm, resident in its new Richmond office.  Mr. Inge is a commercial litigation, bankruptcy and sports law attorney with a national profile.  Ms. Booker is a highly experienced commercial and bankruptcy litigator.  The Richmond office is the firm’s sixteenth and, along with offices in Northern Virginia and Roanoke, its third in Virginia.