For the second consecutive year, Stephen P. Pfeiffer was recognized by The National Advocacy for DUI Defense (NAFDD), LLC, an organization that awards the nation’s best private Driving Under the Influence (DUI) attorneys.
NAFDD identifies the top criminal defense attorneys in each state based upon their experience, reputation, and achievements, among other factors. Those who are selected spend a significant portion of their practice representing individuals accused of DUI offenses (sometimes called DWI, DWII, OUI, OVI, OWI or OUII).
DUI law is a highly specialized field. Effective DUI attorneys navigate through many complex legal issues, including the lawfulness of stops, detentions, and arrests; the reliability of field sobriety tests; the accuracy of breath and blood testing methods, including retrograde extrapolations; and driver license ramifications and administrative hearings. The attorneys selected by NAFDD have distinguished themselves by demonstrating particularized knowledge, skill, experience, and expertise in each of these areas, among others.
NAFDD’s selection criteria are driven by a number of considerations. To meet minimum eligibility requirements, an attorney (1) must be licensed and in good standing with his or her state bar organization, (2) must be in private practice, (3) has to have practiced DUI law for at least seven years, and (4) must devote a significant portion of his or her practice to DUI defense. Additional factors include:
Total length of time the attorney has been practicing criminal law
Number of DUI clients the attorney has represented
Jury trial experience
Bench trial experience
DUI case results
Formal DUI training
DUI publications
DUI presentations
Available peer reviews
Available client reviews
DUI-related achievements and/or awards
History of ethical disciplinary actions
Stephen is a partner at Wolcott Rivers Gates, one of the oldest and largest law firms in Virginia Beach. Stephen has been published as a coauthor in the in the nationally recognized “Inside the Minds” series by Aspatore Books on The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases “A Practitioner’s Everyday Insight Into DWI/DUI Defense in Virginia”. Stephen has an AV® Preeminent Rating – the highest rating available from Martindale-Hubbell, the leading independent attorney rating entity. An AV® Rating signifies that the lawyer has reached the heights of professional excellence. Stephen was selected as a member of the National College of DUI Defense Attorneys and has been recognized as one of the top 100 DUI attorneys in Virginia by the National Advocacy for DUI Defense. Additionally, Stephen is consistently recognized as one of Virginia’s Legal Elite by Virginia Business Magazine as well as being selected as a “Rising Star” by Virginia Super Lawyers. Recently Stephen was selected as Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers for Virginia by the American Society of Legal Advocates. Additionally, Stephen is a founding member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys. Stephen was the American Bar Association’s 2007 National Champion in Legal Negotiations and serves as an adjunct professor at Regent University School of Law.
For more information about The National Advocacy for DUI Defense (NAFDD) and specific selection criteria for top DUI attorneys, visit www.nafdd.org.
The National Advocacy for DUI Defense understands that there is no easy way to separate an accomplished DUI attorney from the less experienced. By recognizing the best DUI attorneys in each state and across the nation, NAFDD validates professional excellence in the legal community. Its statewide selections serve as a valuable resource for clients looking for experienced and competent DUI defense counsel.
Stephen P. Pfeiffer can be reached at:
W O L C O T T | R I V E R S | G A T E S
200 Bendix Road, Suite 300
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
O: (757) 497-6633 | F: (757) 497-7267 | D: (757) 554-0258
pfeiffer@wolriv.com
