VADA Member Spotlight

This month’s spotlighted VADA member is Craig Gallagher of Furniss, Davis, Rashkind and Saunders, P.C., in Norfolk.  Craig is the co-author of the Virginia Insurance Case Finder.  He has been published in VADA’s The Journal of Civil Litigation and has served as a presenter at VADA seminars and events.  Craig is a graduate of James Madison University and the University of Richmond School of Law.

 

 1.       Where were you born? 

I’m a Virginia Beach native.

 2.       Tell us a little about yourself.  Spouse? Children? Pets?

I met my wife, Pam, in a hotel! (She was a desk clerk and I was a bellhop at the oceanfront one summer.)  We’ve been married 38 years.  Our son, Craig, Jr., is earning his Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience at UVA.  We recently lost our beloved family pet of 16 years, Arty the chihuahua.

3.         What type of law do you practice?

Like most of us in the VADA, I handle the defense of civil litigation, for a variety of insurers, and also for the Commonwealth and several localities.  I also handle coverage matters, and I’m very fortunate to have a mentor like Alan Rashkind, the insurance law guru.

 4.         How long have you been a member of VADA?

I’ve been in the VADA since I joined my firm in 1989.  Our firm has always had a strong connection to the VADA.  Firm founding member, Bob Furniss, served as VADA President in the early years of the Association, and an award in his name is presented annually by the VADA.  More recently, my law partner Jim Cales served as President (although I still suspect some sort of rigged election or gerrymandering was involved there).

5.         What have you enjoyed most about your time in VADA?

I’ve always felt a real sense of comradery among the membership of the VADA.  It’s been a great resource for sharing experiences unique to the defense bar.  I learn something new at every conference.

6.         What do you like most about practicing law?

Wealth and power beyond my wildest dreams.  Obviously, I’m kidding—I’m just a poor struggling insurance defense attorney!  The variety keeps the job interesting.  I’ve been in the back room of a funeral parlor (they cremated the wrong guy); one city closed a major tunnel for me so I could walk around and take pictures; I now know what’s in the Filet-O-Fish sandwich (don’t ask).  But, of course the best thing is winning that case nobody thought you could win.

7.         In what section of a bookstore is someone most likely to find you?

They still have bookstores?!?  You’ll just find me scrolling away on my phone like everybody else.

8.         What is your favorite food and drink?

I like seafood.  I’m a bourbon guy on occasion. Trying to quit soda, but I’ve got to have my Coke Zero.

9.         What is your favorite movie or television quote?

I love movies and have many favorite quotes, but I’ll go with the USS Indianapolis speech from Jaws:  Quint---" … So, eleven hundred men went into the water.  316 men come out.  Sharks took the rest.  June the 29^th, 1945.  Anyway, we delivered the bomb.”

10.       What is your favorite music?

I’ve always been a big Steely Dan fan.  I enjoy a real variety of music, and my “playlist” as the youngsters call it, would be mostly indie rock and first wave. 

 11.       What is at the top of your bucket list?

I’ve never really kept a bucket list, but in the short term, I’ll be getting a knee replacement soon, so I can get back out on the tennis court. 

12.       What is your favorite travel spot?

We love to go to Disney World.  Don’t let anyone talk you out of planning a $2,000 trip to Disney.  Trust me, that $3,000 will be the best $4,000 you ever spent.

13.       What was your undergraduate major?

Political Science/Business.

14.       What was the make and model of your first car?

The first car I bought for myself after I got out of school and started a job was a Nissan 300ZX Turbo, 5-speed two-seater.  Proud to say I was never “convicted” for speeding!

15.       If someone was to visit your office, one of the first things they would notice would be

My sofa is stacked full of my files.  I’m pretty sure nobody has ever actually used it for seating purposes.

16.       When you are not in the office, you like to …

Well, I played tennis all my life until my knee went wonky on me (*see # 11 above).  I play the drums and have been in various bands, and I love my stereo equipment.

17.       If you weren’t practicing law, you would be …

I think I might have enjoyed doing something in the entertainment biz.

18.       What is your idea of the perfect weekend?

A nice day at the beach, steaks on the grill, and go see a band at the oceanfront.

19.       What made you decide to become an attorney?

My dad was an attorney and I grew up hearing the good “war stories” so I decided to follow in the family footsteps.

20.       What advice would you give to someone who just passed the bar?

Be honest, with the Court, with your opponents, and with yourself.  It will allow you to sleep at night.  I’ve already seen lawyers getting in trouble with Artificial Intelligence.  The new generation of lawyers must quickly learn to navigate a brave new world of AI and the law.