Michael Stark, an associate in McGuireWoods’ Business & Securities Litigation Department in Richmond, joined firm client Smithfield Foods as corporate counsel on Dec. 11, 2020. In this role he helps manage Smithfield’s litigation docket. Stark joins McGuireWoods alumna Tennille Checkovich, who has served as Smithfield’s deputy general counsel for litigation since October 2020.
At McGuireWoods, Stark’s practice focused on class action litigation with an emphasis on cases involving high-exposure punitive damages claims. He argued and won appeals and dispositive motions in state and federal court and helped clients secure favorable outcomes during and before trial.
Stark does pro bono work through the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Legal Aid Justice Center’s Just Children Program. He has served as pro bono counsel to incarcerated juveniles and to plaintiffs in federal civil rights cases.
Before joining McGuireWoods, Stark served as a law clerk for Judge Stephanie Thacker of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.
“McGuireWoods lives its core values. The friends, colleagues and memories I made here will last a lifetime,” Stark said. “I am a much better lawyer, and person, for having worked at McGuireWoods. I cannot thank this firm enough.”
“Michael has been a valued member of our department,” said partner Jonathan Blank, chair of McGuireWoods’ Business & Securities Litigation Department. “We will miss his hard work and dedication on behalf of our firm, but we look forward to working with him in his new role.”