Jonathan W. Gonzalez

Partner

  • Office Contact Info
  • Biography

    Jonathan Gonzalez is a Partner with GRSM. His practice focuses on litigation, including General Business Litigation and Estate and Trust Litigation.

    Jonathan has a background as a trial litigator in Virginia’s state and federal courts. Jonathan has represented both large and small businesses as well as individuals in various matters including construction disputes, complex government contracts litigation, and employment disputes through all stages of litigation and appeal. Jonathan also represents businesses in an array of contract disputes, as well as disputes involving claims for fraud, defamation, conspiracy, and tortious interference. He has also defended businesses against consumer protection claims, breach of warranty claims, and high-value products liability claims. In the employment context, Jonathan has defended employers against claims of discrimination, retaliation, and harassment under both federal and state laws. Jonathan has been retained by both insurance carriers and businesses which need assistance in complex business disputes. 

    Jonathan also provides representation in commercial and residential real estate litigation matters including assisting businesses, landlords, and community associations in dispute resolution and litigation, including landlord-tenant matters and both commercial and residential contract disputes. Jonathan also advises community associations on operations, covenants, and pre-litigation matters. He also litigates covenant enforcement and collections matters on behalf of community associations.

    In his estate litigation practice, Jonathan files and defends challenges to wills and trusts, which often includes the interpretation of estate planning documents including wills and trusts. He also litigates cases in which a decedent may not have had a formal estate plan or the status of an estate plan is in question. His practice also includes fiduciary disputes such as disputes related to trustees, powers of attorney, and advanced medical directives.

    Admissions

    • Virginia
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia

    Memberships

    • Virginia Bar Association
    • Richmond Bar Association
    • Williamsburg Bar Association
    • Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys

    Community Involvement

    • Richmond Forum and Manchester High School, Volunteer Debate Coach and Judge
    • Washington D.C. Urban Debate League (WUDL), Advisory Board Member and Volunteer Judge
  • Practice Areas
  • Representative Experience
    • Cynthia Bright v. Wal-Mart Stores East, LP – GV19-35179: Defense verdict on contributory negligence in Virginia Beach General District Court where Plaintiff tripped over pallet in garden center.
    • Red Top Cab of Arlington v. Smikle – GV19-6410: Defense verdict in Prince William County General District Court in an auto defense matter filed by taxi company related to an accident on private property.
    • Haskins v. Tillman – GV18-33002: Plaintiff’s verdict below insurance-appraised verdict range in low-speed head on collision accident in City of Richmond General District Court.
  • Publications & Presentations

    Publications

    • Virginia 2021 ALFA Transportation Compendium, ALFA International (2021)
    • Virginia 2019 Employment Law Update, National Business Institute (2019)
    • 2019 ALFA Insurance Law Compendium: Virginia, ALFA International (2019)
    • Putting the Illegal Wildlife Trade in the Cross-hairs: How the Global Conservation Crisis Demonstrates the Need for Lacey Act Enforcement of Foreign Laws, 41 Wm. & Mary Envtl. L. & Pol’y Rev. 321 (2017)

    Presentations

    COVID-19 Business Interruption Claims: Elegant Massage and Beyond, Virginia, Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (May 6, 2021)

  • Education

    Education

    J.D., cum laude, College of William & Mary, 2017

    B.A., cum laude, English and Political Science, University of South Florida, 2014

    Honors

    Recognized as a "Top Lawyer" by Coastal Virginia Magazine (2023-2024)

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