THE VERBENA ASKEW LAW FIRM, P.C., is dedicated to representing clients throughout the greater Hampton Roads area. The firm was founded by former Circuit Court Judge and former Newport News City Attorney, Verbena M. Askew. As a Hampton native, she attended Hampton public schools, completed requirements for her under-graduate degree at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and received her law degree from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. Over the years, the firm has proven it is “a fighter” and winner for its clients - $16 Million verdict as the lead firm in a business fraud case; $3.5 Million verdict in a defamation case; $500,000 in a wrongful death case and $585,000 in a gross negligence case. Whether a case goes to trial, settles at mediation, or is resolved through alternative dispute resolution, THE VERBENA ASKEW LAW FIRM, P.C., will provide effective, committed and results-oriented representation for you, your family and friends.

Malik Drake is a practicing lawyer in the state of Virginia. Attorney Drake received his J.D. from the George Mason University School of Law in 2001.

Charles B. Lustig joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers as an attorney in January, 2020. Charles grew up in Norfolk, Virginia and received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia. He has been practicing law in Virginia for more than 30 years and has extensive experience helping injured clients in both trial and appellate courts. Mr. Lustig has handled cases in nearly every circuit court in Tidewater, Virginia including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton and Newport News. In his spare time, Charles is an avid U.V.A. sports fan and enjoys bicycling and live music.

Founding attorney Anne K. Baldridge has rich experience in public health, law and international development. She also started and ran a successful health start up. Her broad experience complemented by her skills and experience in estate planning make her uniquely qualified to assist small business owners, those with international ties and anyone interfacing with the health system.

Mary Nerino is a practicing lawyer in the state of Virginia who handles criminal cases. She has tried cases in assault, drug charges, domestic violence, gun charges, prostitution, solicitation, sex crimes, and theft.

John Cooper is a veteran of personal injury law practice in Virginia. A native Virginian, he was raised in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. He has more than 30 years of experience handling personal injury cases and recently handled the largest auto accident settlement in 2010, according to VA Lawyers Weekly. The award provided $3.5 million to a child whose young father died when the vehicle he was a passenger in was rear-ended by a careless truck driver.

Jim Hurley has been practicing law throughout Virginia for more than two-and-a-half decades. During his career, he has tried more than 100 jury trials — a staggering number — and handled hundreds more that were settled out of court. He is guided by the principle that the client is in charge of his or her case and should be kept fully aware of the litigation process. Jim has been awarded an AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating given, for his practice of law. He was named in Virginia Super Lawyers in 2014-2020. Jim lives in the Larchmont area of Norfolk. He is married to Pam, a Norfolk schoolteacher and has two children who are presently studying at college. Every year, Jim Hurley supports countless good causes in the Hampton Roads area and further afield.

Michael Salasky built a successful personal injury practice over the course of 40 years representing countless people who were needlessly hurt through no fault of their own. It was and is his privilege to right these wrongs for his clients. His efforts resulted in many millions of dollars being awarded to his clients for their proven injuries. Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, Michael attended Norfolk Academy and graduated college from Tufts University in Boston where he received a B.A. in English. He received his law degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in 1977. For several years he worked as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Norfolk and prosecuted all varieties of criminal cases, from traffic matters to murder cases. After a two year stint as an associate in a private law office, he opened his own law practice in 1982. Before concentrating his work on injury cases, Michael gained a wealth of experience over the years handling divorce and custody matters, real estate, collections, bankruptcy, construction law, contract matters, criminal cases and other disputes. His practice is currently focused on representing injured parties. Over the years he has participated in the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, served as a judge on City of Norfolk grievance panels, and served local civic organizations. He is married to Prue Salasky, who is a retired educator, journalist and editorial writer. They have three daughters.