Flora Pettit Attorneys Selected to Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Star Lists

Flora Pettit is pleased to announce that four of its attorneys have been honored by selection for inclusion in the 2026 Virginia Super Lawyers lists.  Three of Flora Pettit’s attorneys have been recognized for inclusion in the “Virginia Super Lawyers” list and one of its attorneys has been named to the “Virginia Rising Stars” list.
Super Lawyers is a rating service of lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The top 5% of the lawyers in Virginia are selected by Super Lawyers.  To be selected as a Rising Star, Super Lawyers only selects the top 2.5% of the lawyers in Virginia and they must either be 40 years old or younger, or have been in practice for 10 years or fewer.   
The selected lawyers and the area of law for which they were recognized are: 
MICHAEL E. DERDEYN (GENERAL LITIGATION) – Mike Derdeyn has a diverse business and real estate litigation practice representing clients in litigation before federal and state courts, including the Virginia Supreme Court and in dispute resolution proceedings. Mike’s litigation experience includes litigating claims for individuals and for businesses in the areas of commercial litigation, real estate, construction, landlord-tenant law, employment, shareholder and other commercial disputes.
SETH J. RAGOSTA (FAMILY LAW) – Seth Ragosta focuses his practice on family law, litigation compliance and commercial litigation. His work in family law includes all issues related to separation or divorce matters including division of assets, custody and support. Seth also counsels institutional clients regarding subpoena responses, privacy and privilege protection, government investigations and other corporate litigation-related needs.  Seth was also elected to the Board of Governors of the Family Law Section of the Virginia State Bar in 2025.
CATHLEEN P. WELSH (EMPLOYMENT & LABOR) – Cathy Welsh helps clients work through complicated employment situations including investigating employee misconduct; understanding and managing employee leaves of absence and requests for accommodation; I-9 and immigration law compliance, exempt/nonexempt classification and pay procedures; and employee discipline and termination. She has assisted clients of all sizes from small businesses not covered by most federal employment laws to healthcare, manufacturing and hospitality clients with thousands of employees.
ASHLEY T. HART (VIRGINIA RISING STARS – BUSINESS LITIGATION) – Ashley Hart focuses her practice in the areas of commercial litigation and insurance coverage and defense.  She has litigated cases across Virginia, in both state and federal courts, involving issues such as personal injury defense, products liability, workers’ compensation, breach of contract, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, and trademark infringement.  Ashley takes a detail-oriented approach to her cases and embraces analyzing complex legal questions.