Sylvia focuses her practice on defending clients in mass tort, environmental, public nuisance claims, and other complex civil litigation in state and federal courts. She has substantial experience in all phases of motion practice and trial preparation. Before joining McGuireWoods, Sylvia served as a law clerk for the Honorable Rebecca Beach Smith, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.
During law school, Sylvia served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Roger L. Gregory of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and was executive editor for the University of Richmond Law Review. Upon graduation, she received the T.C. Williams Law School Scholarship Award, presented to the graduating student who made the most significant contribution to legal scholarship. Before law school, Sylvia worked in education, teaching English in France and social studies in Bronx, New York.
Represents successor to lead pigment manufacturer. Won dismissal of over 150 claims under Wisconsin’s risk contribution doctrine in Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Represents Big Three automaker in products liability cases concerning the use of asbestos in friction products.
Represents municipality against federal environmental claims and public nuisance in federal court.
Represented railroad company as punitive damages counsel in personal injury actions.
Named to "Pro Bono Service Honor Roll," Virginia Access to Justice Commission, 2022
Named to "Virginia Rising Stars," Class Action/Mass Torts, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2022