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Andrew McRoberts Picked as Leader in the Law

Published on: 10/04/2010

Andrew R. McRoberts been selected by Virginia Lawyers Weekly as a "Leader in the Law," the paper announced recently.

McRoberts will be cited at an October 21 event in Richmond for his participation in and use of online social media in informing clients about legal issues in municipal law. The publication announced its slate of recipients about a month ago after a nomination process identified several hundred candidates across the state.

"We think this recognition is a solid endorsement of Andrew's online conversations," noted Local Government Practice Chair Daniel M. Siegel.

"Using online social media, he has opened up topics and issues facing local governments to the comments and observations of lawyers, elected officials and managers," he explained, "and his ability to reach such a large group with fast changing news and information adds true value to the public discourse."

McRoberts, a former county attorney and past president of the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, has a wide network around the state of opinion leaders who are interested in his observations and expertise, explained Siegel. In order to keep these professionals abreast of developments in the field, online tools like blogs, LinkedIn.com and Twitter are both effective and efficient, he said.

McRoberts is the managing editor of VaLocalityLaw.com, the Sands Anderson municipal law blog, and maintains his Twitter conversation online in two broadcasts: @VaLocalitylaw and @AndrewMcRoberts as well as updates clients and connections through his accounts with  LinkedIn.com and MartindaleConnected.com.

According to the nomination form for McRoberts, he earned his recognition "[f]or his diligence in illuminating legal issues of importance to Virginia's local governments and innovation in the use of online social media as a tool for frequent and robust communication with clients and interested legal audiences."

Founded nearly 170 years ago, Sands Anderson has 70 lawyers practicing among its offices in Richmond, Christiansburg, Fredericksburg and McLean, Virginia, and Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2011, it was ranked 11th in the Virginia Lawyers Weekly annual listing of the state's largest law firms. Sands Anderson provides a full range of legal services to corporations and businesses, healthcare providers, financial institutions, state and local governments, the insurance industry and individuals.