Category: STG&U News

Elizabeth K. Ufkes Appointed to Executive Board of the Virginia Beach Bar Association

Swartz, Taliaferro, Goodove & Ufkes, PC is pleased to announce that attorney Elizabeth K. Ufkes has been appointed to the Executive Board of the Virginia Beach Bar Association (VBBA) and was sworn in at the Association’s annual Holiday Meeting.

This appointment recognizes Elizabeth’s ongoing commitment to the legal profession, to the courts, and to the Virginia Beach community. It also reflects the growing role she plays as a leader in the local bar and as a representative of our firm in the broader legal community.

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About the Virginia Beach Bar Association

Founded in 1957, the Virginia Beach Bar Association is a voluntary bar organization serving more than 500 attorneys who practice in and around Virginia Beach. The VBBA exists to promote justice, advance legal knowledge, uphold high ethical standards, and foster fellowship among its members. It also provides continuing legal education and supports resources such as the local law library for the benefit of both the legal community and the public. 

The VBBA has been recognized statewide for its impact. In 2022, it was named Bar Association of the Year by the Virginia State Bar’s Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations, in part for its commitment to public service projects and professional development for its members. 

The Association sponsors pro bono and community programs as well, including initiatives that provide representation for vulnerable residents in local courts.

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What the Executive Board Does

The Executive Board of the VBBA serves as the Association’s governing body. Board members help guide the mission of the organization, set priorities for programming, and oversee key efforts such as continuing legal education, member services, and community initiatives.

Members of the Executive Board typically serve over a multi year cycle and rotate through leadership roles, which allows them to gain a deep understanding of both the Association and the needs of the local bench and bar.

Serving on the Executive Board means helping to:

• Support high standards of professionalism and ethics in the local legal community
  
• Plan educational programs and events for attorneys
  
• Strengthen relationships among lawyers, judges, and court staff in Virginia Beach
  
• Promote public service and access to justice through VBBA sponsored projects
  

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What This Appointment Means for Our Firm and Our Clients

Elizabeth’s appointment to the Executive Board is an honor both for her and for Swartz, Taliaferro, Goodove & Ufkes, PC. It places her in a position to help shape the work of one of the most active and respected local bar associations in Virginia.

For our firm and our clients, this role:

• Keeps us closely connected to developments in the Virginia Beach courts and local legal community
  
• Reinforces our commitment to professionalism, integrity, and service
  
• Allows our firm to contribute directly to programs that support continuing legal education and access to justice in Hampton Roads
  

Elizabeth already brings these values to her work as a personal injury attorney. Her service on the Executive Board further reflects the trust that her colleagues place in her judgment, leadership, and dedication to the practice of law.We congratulate Elizabeth on this achievement and are proud to have her representing Swartz, Taliaferro, Goodove & Ufkes, PC on the Executive Board of the Virginia Beach Bar Association.

At the Norfolk law firm of Swartz, Taliaferro, Goodove & Ufkes (STGU), we are honored to celebrate Elizabeth K. Ufkes, who has been selected as one of the 2025 Go To Negligence Attorneys by Virginia Lawyers Weekly.

This recognition is earned through her steadfast commitment to clients, colleagues, and the legal community. According to the feature, Elizabeth is “best known for: clients and colleagues trust me for my honesty, transparency, and straightforward approach while advocating confidently and respectfully.”

Choosing to focus on personal injury law, Elizabeth explains that it is “intellectually challenging and rewarding, helping clients achieve fair outcomes during difficult times.” Whether representing someone who has suffered a minor collision or handling a wrongful death matter, she approaches each case with the same level of personal attention and dedication.

Her leadership extends beyond the courtroom. She serves on the Virginia State Bar Second District Disciplinary Committee, co-chairs the General District Court Committee of the Virginia Beach Bar Association, is a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, and serves as President of the REACH Board. In her community, she coaches youth basketball.

What makes Elizabeth a standout leader in her field? She notes that she “embodies professionalism through loyalty, dependability, and dedication to keeping clients informed and supported.” This commitment to legal excellence, to clients, and to the community is what makes her recognition so well deserved.

For the team at STGU, having Elizabeth honored in this way reflects not just on one attorney but on the firm’s broader values: to fight fiercely for our clients, to communicate clearly, and to treat every case with respect and care.

If you or a loved one have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you can trust that Elizabeth and the team at Swartz, Taliaferro, Goodove & Ufkes are ready to help you seek the fair outcome you deserve.

We are proud to announce that attorney Jeffrey A. Swartz, partner at Swartz, Taliaferro, Swartz & Goodove, P.C., has been recognized by his peers in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for his high-caliber work in Criminal Defense: General Practice.

Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review, representing the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues. Since its founding in 1981, Best Lawyers has become widely regarded as the most credible measure of legal integrity and excellence.

This recognition reflects Jeffrey’s dedication, professional skill, and the respect he has earned within the legal community. Please join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved honor.

Swartz, Taliaferro, Goodove & Ufkes, PC today announced that Elizabeth Kalocay Ufkes has been named a partner and now joins the firm’s title. Ufkes, who has been with the firm since 2012, has represented thousands of clients in plaintiff-side personal injury matters, including motor vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, products liability, premises cases, and wrongful death.

“Beth is a proven trial lawyer with a steady record of results and client care. Adding her name to the firm reflects what our clients already know. She leads from the front,” said partner Michael Goodove.

“I am honored to join the partnership and continue our work serving injured clients in Norfolk and across Hampton Roads,” said Ufkes. “Our team fights for fair outcomes and brings the resources and skill these cases demand.” 

Ufkes has been selected to Super Lawyers every year from 2020 through 2025 and was recognized by Virginia Lawyers Weekly as one of Virginia’s “Go To Lawyers” for Negligence Law in 2024. She earned her B.A. from the College of William & Mary and her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and has practiced in Virginia since 2005. 

With the rebrand, the firm’s leadership underscores its long-standing focus on plaintiff personal injury, medical malpractice, criminal defense, products liability, and complex litigation. The team has recovered millions for clients and continues to serve individuals and families throughout Norfolk and the broader Hampton Roads region. This announcement aligns with current best practices for integrating new partners, including clear role definition, visible client-facing messaging, and consistent brand rollout across web, social, and directory listings.

We are proud to announce that Attorney Elizabeth Ufkes has been named one of Virginia’s “Go To Lawyers” for Negligence Law by Virginia Lawyers Weekly.

This prestigious honor recognizes Ms. Ufkes’ expertise and dedication to personal injury law, particularly her outstanding work advocating for plaintiffs.

The Virginia Lawyers Weekly “Go To Lawyers” program highlights top attorneys across the Commonwealth who exemplify leadership and excellence in their areas of practice. A “Go To Lawyer” is described as:

• A recognized expert in their field with a deep understanding of the nuances of case law, statutes, and regulations.
• An experienced attorney with a proven track record of success.
• A trusted professional to whom other lawyers confidently refer clients.
• A creative thinker who identifies and explores all options for their clients.
• The first name recommended when someone needs help in a specific legal area.

Ms. Ufkes’ selection as a “Go To Lawyer” reflects her unwavering commitment to her clients and her reputation as a leader in negligence law. This recognition is a testament to her skill, dedication, and the respect she has earned within the legal community.

We congratulate Elizabeth on this well-deserved honor and are proud to have her as part of our team.

We are thrilled to share some exciting news! Swartz, Taliaferro, Goodove & Ufkes has been awarded the Platinum Award in the ‘Criminal Law and Lawyers’ category in the Community Votes Norfolk 2024. This prestigious recognition highlights the dedication and hard work of our entire team in delivering top-tier legal services to the Norfolk community.

Community Votes is an annual program that recognizes outstanding businesses and professionals who make a significant impact in their fields. It’s a true reflection of community support, as the results are driven by votes from local residents. To have earned this recognition means so much to us, and we are deeply honored by the trust our community places in us.

In addition to the Platinum Award for our firm, two of our attorneys received individual honors:

• Gold Award: Jeffrey A. Swartz
• Bronze Award: William L. Taliaferro

These individual awards are a testament to the expertise and commitment of our team members. We want to express our gratitude to everyone who voted and supported us—we are proud to serve this wonderful community.

Check out the full list of winners here: Community Votes Norfolk.