Attorney Profiles

John Chapman "Chap" Petersen is a partner with Surovell, Markle, Isaacs & Levy specializing in trial practice. He has been practicing law since 1994 and is licensed in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Over the course of his career, Chap Petersen has tried over one hundred cases, including over twenty-five jury trials. The majority of these cases have been civil actions ranging from personal injury to breaches of contract. He has successfully represented hundreds of small business and minority clients. In 2006, he won a trial verdict from a Federal jury for defamation in a case that was conducted largely in Korean.

Chap Petersen has tried cases in state and Federal courts in nearly every jurisdiction in the Washington, D.C. area. He has also represented clients in appeals before the Virginia Supreme Court, the Virginia Court of Appeals, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and the federal Fourth Circuit.

In addition to his practice, Chap Petersen represents Fairfax County and its subdivisions as a Virginia State Senator. He sites on the following standing committees: Transportation, Privileges and Elections, General Laws and Natural Resources. Chap Petersen was elected to the State Senate in 2007. Prior to that election, he represented the Fairfax community as State Delegate (2002-2006) and City Councilman (1998-2002). While a State Delegate, Chap Petersen served as the House minority whip.

Chap Petersen grew up in Fairfax City. He is a graduate of Fairfax High School, Williams College and the University of Virginia Law School. He sits on the Boards of the Virginia Economic Bridge, the Fairfax County Good News Jail and Prison Ministry, and the Kingsley Commons Community Partnership.

Areas of Practice

• Commercial Litigation
• Landlord and Tenant Disputes
• Breach of Contract
• Business Torts
• Real Estate Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Personal Injury - Plaintiff

Bar Admissions

• Virginia
• Maryland
• District of Columbia

Education

• University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, Virginia, 1994
  J.D.
  
  
• Williams College, 1990
  
  
• Fairfax High School, 1986
  
  

Past Employment Positions

• Bracewell & Giuliani LLC (Reston and D.C. offices)