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Cullen Seltzer’s practice focuses on litigation matters, including commercial disputes, defense of government officials and agencies in Freedom of Information, civil rights, and other state and local government matters, as well as business torts, such as defamation and tortious interference with business affairs, white collar criminal defense, and estate litigation. 

For more than 20 years, Cullen has represented businesses, government entities, and individuals in commercial disputes, white collar criminal defense matters, government investigations, and trust and estate disputes and related claims. He is known for bringing ingenuity, honesty, and in-depth knowledge to each matter, ensuring his clients recieve solutions tailored to their unique needs and circumssances. His practice includes helping to design and implement settlements in mass tort and mass claim litigation.

Cullen has represented claims administrators and trustees in drug and medical device litigation, class action settlements, and private settlements involving thousands of claimants and billions of dollars.  His work includes designing claims procedures, establishing benefit criteria, negotiating insurance coverage, and managing claims facilities. His significant experience and his love of the law have helped him create original, forward-thinking solutions to address his clients’ specific goals.

Cullen is an adjunct professor at the University of Richmond School of Law where he has taught appellate advocacy and courses on ethics in civil and criminal litigation.

When he’s not in the office, Cullen enjoys running, reading, and traveling with family and friends.

Education & Admissions

Education

University of Richmond
J.D., T.C. Williams School of Law, 1993

Mary Washington College
B.A., cum laude, International Affairs, Pi Gamma Mu, Pi Sigma Alpha 1990

Admissions

Virginia

U.S. Supreme Court

U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

U. S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia

U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio

U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia

U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Clerkships

Law Clerk to the Hon. James W. Benton, Jr. in the Virginia Court of Appeals Richmond, Virginia, 1993 - 1994

Honors & Recognitions

Super Lawyers®, Civil Litigation: Defense 2009-2024

Best Lawyers in America® in Mass Tort Litigation, 2011-2024

“Legal Elite”, Virginia Business magazine, Appellate Law, Civil Litigation, 2011 - 2022, Criminal Law, 2023

Leader in the Law, Virginia Lawyer's Media 2016

Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, 2008

Affiliations

Community

Congregation Beth Ahabah, Vice President (2023 - Present), Board of Managers (2014 - 2019)

Sports Backers, Member Development Board (2018 - 2020)

Weinstein Jewish Community Center, Board member (2010 - 2024), President/Chairman (2013 - 2016)

Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, Enterprise Circle Steering Committee Chairman, (2012 - 2017), Board Member (2008 - 2012)

Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, Board of Directors (2009 - 2015), Past-Chairman, General Counsel (2016 - present)

Grove-Crest Colonial Place Neighborhood Association, President (1998 - 2002)

Carrico Center for Pro Bono Service, Volunteer attorney representing indigents on appeal (2009 - present)

Professional

Virginia State Bar Council (2019 - present)

Virginia State Bar, Third District Disciplinary Committee (2003 - 2010)

The Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council (2016 - 2024)

Governor's Executive Branch Ethics Commission (2014 - 2016)

Virginia State Bar, Harry Carrico Professionalism Course Faculty (2008 - 2011)

American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Mass Torts Subcommittee (2000 - 2009)

Richmond Bar Association (1999 - present), Ex oficio Board member (2023 - present)

John Marshall Inn of Court (1997 - 2009), Past President (2005 - 2006)

University of Richmond School of Law, Adjunct Faculty, Appellate Advocacy, Ethics in Criminal Litigation, Ethics in Civil Litigation (2001 - present) 

News & Insights

Insights

The Fall of Affirmative Action in Higher Education and the Coming Workplace Revolution
Virginia Mercury, June 2023

Why Incorporating By Reference Is Rarely Good Practice - Law360
Law360, April 9, 2024

Google Knows Where You've Been. Should It Tell the Police?
Slate, May 2022

The Emmett Till Antilynching Act doesn’t change the law very much. That’s OK.
Virginia Mercury, April 2022

Citizen’s Arrest in Virginia: Legal but Risky
Westlaw Today powered by Reuters, November 2021

Irony is Dead: Woman Depicting Peace Triumphing Over Tyranny Jailed for Indecent Exposure
ACLU of Virginia, March 2019

You Can’t Buy the “Raspberry Beret” MP3 at the Secondhand Store
Slate, December 2018

The End of the Unpaid Internship
Slate, June 2013

Lessons Learned from Implementing a Class Action Settlement
Mass Torts, Volume 8, Number 3, Spring 2010

News

Events & Speaking Engagements

Recent Developments in Legal Ethics (Sands Anderson, September 28, 2023 and October 4, 2023)

Recent Developments in Legal Ethics (Sands Anderson, September 28, 2022 and October 6, 2022)

Recent Developments in Legal Ethics (Sands Anderson, September 21, 2021)

Recent Developments in Legal Ethics (Sands Anderson, September 16, 2020; Henrico County Bar Association, October 7, 2020)

Recent Developments in Legal Ethics (Sands Anderson, September 17, 2019; Henrico County Bar Association, October 15, 2019)

recent Developments in Legal Ethics (Sands Anderson, September 11, 2018)

FOIA For Newly Appointed Chiefs And Deputy Chiefs Of Police, Virginia Association Of Chiefs Of Police (Glen Allen, Virginia, March 28, 2018).

FOIA Rules And Procedures, Newly Elected Officials Seminar (Sands Anderson PC, December 8, 2017).

The Three P's Of Criminal Appeals: Procedure, Process And Practice (University Of Richmond Law Over Lunch Presented By Carrico Center For Pro Bono Service November 9, 2017)

Settling Police Liability Claims (Nbi Seminar September 22, 2017)

Recent Develops In Legal Ethics (Sands Anderson)(2016, September 13, 2017)

Exculpatory Evidence And Internal Affairs Police Investigations (Virginia Chiefs Of Police Association, January 26, 2017)

Use Of Force By Police Officers: A Summary Of Important Legal Principles (Richmond Police Academy, December, 9, 2016)

Making An Appellate Record (Richmond Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference – Oct. 20, 2016)

Virginia Conflict of Interests Act (Seminar for Newly Elected Members of Local Government – Sands Anderson – December 4, 2015)

Case Law Developments Affecting Local Governments (LGA Conference – Sept. 20, 2014)

Affirmative Use of Virginia Public Records Act in FOIA Cases (LGA Conference - June 27, 2014)

Creating a Board that Delivers (Virginia League of Social Services Executives - May 9, 2013)

Professionalism in the Practice of Law (Carrico Professionalism Course – 2011)

  • “I love the creativity in our work. I love helping people when they’re starting a new adventure. I want to help people when they’re in a jam.”

    Cullen Seltzer
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