2007 Man of the Year
Gary W. Kendall has practiced law in Virginia and throughout the Southeast for the past 30 years. After graduating from law school a the University of Richmond in 1976, he began practicing with the law firm of Michie Hamlett Lowry Rasmussen & Tweel, PLLC in Charlottesville, Virginia where he is a senior partner.
Mr. Kendall has served as a trial lawyer representing consumers and working people for most of his career. He is a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, The Southern Trail Lawyers Association, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He has served in national leadership roles in all of these organizations and is a member of the National Board of Directors of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
For the last 20 years, Gary has devoted countless hours as an unpaid volunteer in the Legislature of Virginia and Congress to promote laws protecting working people and their right to a safe work place. he has actively participated in the political arena to raise money and get out the vote for labor endorsed candidates and friends of working people. He has regularly provided free advice and legal services to members of the AFL-CIO. At the same time, Gary's firm has recovered some of the largest jury verdicts in Virginia for injured workers. In 1996, the Virginia State AFL-CIO awarded him the Paul Askew Community Services Award for his contributions to working people. For 30 years he has been a lawyer on the side of people and a friend to labor.