Steven G. Popps, a partner in McGuireWoods’ Business & Securities Litigation Department, has been appointed Deputy Attorney General of the Civil Division by Virginia Attorney General-Elect Jason Miyares. Popps will begin his duties when the Attorney General-elect is sworn in on Jan. 15, 2022.
Popps has more than a decade of experience representing businesses and executives in high-stakes disputes. He handles government investigations, fiduciary litigation, and receivership actions and negotiations, particularly related to commercial real estate. Popps also advises on political law issues, including the Federal Election Campaign Act and the Lobbying Disclosure Act. His last day at McGuireWoods will be Jan. 14.
Before joining McGuireWoods, Popps clerked for U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson of the Eastern District of Virginia. In law school, Popps was lead articles editor of the William and Mary Law Review, and before law school, he worked on the staff of then-U.S. Sen. John W. Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Popps serves on the Bar Association of the City of Richmond’s finance committee and on the William & Mary Law School Alumni Association board’s nominating committee. In 2019, the judges of the Eastern District of Virginia appointed him to a merit selection panel that identified and recommended candidates for a vacant U.S. magistrate judge position.
Among his numerous honors, The Best Lawyers in America recognized Popps for commercial litigation and Virginia Business magazine named him to its Legal Elite list for business law.
“It is a tremendous honor to serve as a deputy attorney general for the Commonwealth of Virginia. I am grateful for my years at McGuireWoods and for the support and camaraderie of my exceptional colleagues,” Popps said.
Partner Jonathan Blank, chair of McGuireWoods’ Business & Securities Litigation Department, said, “Steven’s litigation skills are top-notch and we are thrilled his talents will now benefit the citizens of Virginia. We wish him all the best as he enters public service.”
McGuireWoods managing partner Tracy Walker added: “Steven is an outstanding lawyer and a strong leader. The Attorney General’s Office and the Commonwealth will be well served by Steven in his new role.”