Biography

Janeen has been practicing primarily insurance defense since her admission to the Virginia Bar in 1994. Prior to joining Chadwick Washington in 2021, Janeen was an equity partner at Kalbaugh, Pfund and Messersmith, P.C. where she practiced for 25 years, focusing primarily on handling catastrophic accident cases including trucking accidents, traumatic brain injury claims and wrongful death cases.

Janeen has tried over 150 first chair jury trials in state and federal courts, has handled multiple appeals, and has successfully mediated hundreds of cases. Janeen handles a variety of insurance-related cases including product liability, premises liability, sexual assault, construction defect, business automobile liability and motor carrier cases as well as insurance coverage matters. Janeen is a frequent lecturer for industry associations and insurance carriers on a variety of topics related to defense litigation and insurance issues.Janeen joined Chadwick Washington in 2021, heading a team of litigation specialists. She and her team handle insurance defense cases as well as major community association litigation including cases involving fair housing, construction defect, and contract disputes. Janeen has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and was recognized as Virginia Business’ 2020 legal elite in civil litigation.

Janeen understands that litigation can be complex and sometimes overwhelming, even for the most sophisticated clients. She believes that constant communication and collaboration is the key to being an effective advocate and providing positive results for her clients.When not practicing law, Janeen enjoys traveling, playing golf badly, spending time with her family, including her two lazy rescue hounds, and hiking the National Parks.

Education

• Virginia Tech, B.A., Communications Studies, 1989
• University of Richmond School of Law, J.D., 1994
• 1992 Moot Court Winner
• National Moot Court Team
• 1994 Faculty Recommendation
• Member of the Order of the Barristers

Admitted

• Virginia State Bar
• United States Supreme Court
• 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
• United States District Court, Western District of Virginia

Professional associations

• Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (VADA)
• Virginia Bar Association
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Community Associations Institute