John D. Padgett, managing partner of McGuireWoods’ Norfolk office, has been appointed by the German government as honorary consul for Virginia’s Hampton Roads region. He formally received his appointment from Peter Wittig, Germany’s ambassador to the United States, at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Honorary consular officers are volunteers who support and complement the work of the German Embassy and eight consulates general throughout the United States. In this role, Padgett will promote German-U.S. relations in Eastern Virginia, work closely with businesses that have German ties, and assist U.S. and German citizens in the region with legal and consular issues related to Germany.
Padgett, leader of McGuireWoods’ transportation industry team, represents some of the largest transportation and terminal operations in the United States. He also advises corporations on the nuances of international trade and U.S. customs compliance issues and provides litigation support to the firm’s corporate and maritime clients.
Padgett is a longtime leader in the Hampton Roads business community and is active in civic affairs. He serves as the chairman of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance and as a board member and past chair of the Hampton Roads Chambers of Commerce. He also chairs the Tidewater Community College Board.
“The opportunity to work with the German Embassy and to provide services to the German community in this region is a great honor,” Padgett said. “Hampton Roads, Virginia, is home to a large community of businesses and individuals with strong ties to Germany, and I hope to nurture the already significant relationships between our countries as honorary consul.”
“We are very happy that John has been appointed honorary consul of Germany in Norfolk,” Wittig said. “We greatly appreciate that he will be our partner in shaping ties between our countries and providing consular services to Germans and Americans in the region. We look forward to working with him and to fostering relations between Germany and Hampton Roads.”