Since joining Robert E. Long & Associates, Ltd., Rob has been responsible for handling a large portion of the firm’s contested divorce cases, which often involve children.
Although he advocates reasonable settlements between the parties in order to finalize matters “quickly, civilly, and affordably”, he won’t be pressured into taking a bad settlement offer if a contested trial is more likely to produce a favorable outcome for his client.
Rob also routinely handles “stand alone” custody, visitation, and child support cases in cities and counties all across the Commonwealth, and has worked with a widely varied client base which includes homemakers, single fathers, step-parents, grandparents, and active-duty military service members.
Criminal matters are also a large part of Rob’s practice at the firm. He has been retained as private Defense Counsel for defendants all over Virginia who face traffic tickets, DUIs, misdemeanors, probation violation hearings, and parole hearings – all the way up to Class One Felonies which, if convicted, can carry life sentences. No matter the charge, Rob works hard to seek a dismissal by putting his clients in the strongest position possible at trial, including all of the necessary witnesses and evidence, or, if a trial is not in his client’s best interest, by working with the Commonwealth Attorney (prosecutor) to secure as favorable a plea agreement as possible.
Rob has also worked with numerous individuals and business involved in civil litigation – as both Plaintiff’s and Defendant’s Counsel. He is experienced in a wide range of other matters as well, including drafting contracts and leases, forming Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and 501(c)3 non-profit organizations, real estate and construction disputes, and personal injury suits.
Combining Business and the Law
Prior to earning his Juris Doctor from the Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Rob obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Marketing from Andrews University, located in Berrien Springs, Michigan. During his undergraduate studies, he assisted local businesses in learning how to market more effectively to their target audience, developing their web presences, and formulating and implementing advertising strategies. Now, as a practicing attorney, Rob uses the marketing and advertising skills he developed at Andrews to position his clients in the most favorable light before the Judge or Jury at trial.
Rob moved to Hampton Roads after finishing his studies at Andrews. Shortly after, he joined Electronic Systems, Inc. in Virginia Beach as a Computer Solutions Consultant and Account Manager. During his tenure in the information technology field, he managed large network upgrades and installation projects in both the public and private sectors, and provided clients with custom-tailored hardware, software, and security products designed to fit their individual budget and timeframe requirements. This valuable experience gained at ESI helped prepare Rob for working on complex lawsuits and interacting with multiple points of contact and government entities during his criminal and civil litigation as an attorney.
Ultimately, Rob left ESI to pursue his dream of becoming an attorney. He placed in the top ten percent of test takers on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and was offered a generous scholarship from nearby Regent University in Virginia Beach.
Rob’s primary focuses during his legal studies at Regent were tax and estate planning and drafting contracts, trusts, and wills. In addition, Rob had the opportunity to study in the United Kingdom at the University of Oxford as part of Regent’s Anglo-American Constitutionalism program.
In the summer before his final year of law school, Rob accepted an internship offer from Robert E. Long & Associates, Ltd., where he assisted the firm’s attorneys in criminal, civil, divorce, and child custody cases. This internship led to the firm hiring him immediately upon graduation from Regent. After passing the Virginia Bar Exam on his first attempt Rob promptly joined the firm as a full-time attorney.
Rob has had many opportunities to put his tax and estate planning education to good use. During his tenure at the firm, Rob has drafted wills and trusts and administered estates with net worths of millions of dollars. Regardless of finances, however, Rob works every client to help them determine which estate planning tools are the best fit to maximize their assets and meet their individual needs. Rob has also been invited to speak at estate planning/wealth management seminars by Bayport Credit Union and the National Council of Negro Women.
Rob currently serves as a certified Guardian ad Litem for incapacitated adults. As Guardian ad Litem, Rob does a thorough investigation into the physical and mental health of his client, the client’s finances, and other assets, as well as the family dynamic. He then makes a recommendation to the Court as to which individual or entity is in the best position to care for the client as Guardian and Conservator going forward.
Rob also assists families in establishing Guardians and Conservators as Petitioner’s Counsel when the need arises. Additionally, Rob is a court-qualified Defense Counsel for individuals who face civil commitment hearings after they have been held under a Temporary Detention Order (TDO) and routinely works in this capacity at Riverside Behavioral Health Center and the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Putting His Client’s Needs First
Rob consistently strives to make his legal services convenient and affordable for all his clients. Although he primarily meets with clients in his downtown Hampton office during normal business hours, he can often accommodate Southside Hampton Roads clients by meeting them at a mutually agreeable location nearer their homes since he lives in Virginia Beach. Phone conferences are also available if clients are out of the area or are unable to come into the office. He also offers after-hours consultations by appointment.
