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Margaret F. Hardy

Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

As President of Sands Anderson, Margaret Hardy brings 25 years of leadership experience when advising clients and guiding our firm’s growth and vision.

Margaret is a skilled attorney, combining her legal talents with a genuine belief in the value of working together, motivating each other, and learning from one another. Margaret strategically guides operations and supports her clients’ successes with forethought and positive leadership.

In addition to serving as President, Margaret is the Fredericksburg office leader and serves healthcare clients, local governments, and businesses with complete legal support. A registered nurse, Margaret applies her experience when representing her health care clients in medical malpractice actions and investigations and proceedings before the Department of Health Professions. Her creative legal solutions can further help businesses and professionals facing litigation to look ahead and proactively address their unique needs.

Margaret also works with Treasurers across the Commonwealth in the collection of delinquent real estate taxes. She and her team in the Fredericksburg office have  recovered millions of dollars of real estate taxes for local governments across Virginia.

Outside of the office, Margaret is a hobby farmer raising Angora goats. She uses their fleece for spinning and hand-dying mohair yarn to use for her fiber art, including weaving and knitting. She also enjoys riding motorcycles.

Education & Admissions

Education

College of William & Mary
J.D., 1995

Old Dominion University
M.B.A., 1993

University of Richmond
B.S., 1986

Johnston-Willis Hospital School of Nursing
Nursing Diploma, 1979

Admissions

Virginia

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

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

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

Honors & Recognitions

Virginia "Super Lawyer®” in State/Local/Municipal 2019 - 2024

Circle of Excellence, Virginia Lawyer's Weekly 2024

Best Lawyers in America® in Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants & Litigation - Health Care, 2018 - 2024

"Legal Elite," Virginia Business Magazine, Health Law 2008 - 2023

Virginia 500 Power List, Virginia Business Magazine, 2020 - 2024

Influential Women of Law, Virginia Lawyer's Weekly 2020

Virginia "Super Lawyer®” in Personal Injury Defense: Medical Malpractice 2013, 2015 - 2018

Influential Women of Virginia, 2013

Experience

  • Supports healthcare professionals and providers before the Virginia Department of Health Professions licensing boards
  • Defends healthcare providers, agencies and facilities in malpractice actions
  • Represents treasurers and local governments in the collection of delinquent real estate taxes

Affiliations

Community

Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, Legal Counsel

Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region, Past Secretary, Board of Directors, 2014 – 2022

United Methodist Family Services (UMFS), Board of Directors, 2008 – 2018, Chair 2016-2018

Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, Legal Counsel

Mary Washington Healthcare, Board of Trustees

Professional

Virginia State Bar

Virginia Bar Association

American Bar Association

Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, Medical Malpractice Section, Vice Chair, 2007 – 2008, Chair, 2008 – 2009

Fredericksburg Area Bar Association

American Association of Nurse Attorneys

Virginia Women Attorneys' Association, State Board, Member, Past President

Virginia Women Attorneys' Association, Fredericksburg Chapter, Member

News & Insights

News

Virginia 500: The 2024 Power List, Virginia Businesss

Downtime: Spinning a yarn with Margaret Hardy (and her goats), Richmond BizSense

Decision Maker: Margaret F. Hardy with Sands Anderson law firm, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Events & Speaking Engagements

UVA's 5th Annual Shaping Justice Conference, Panelist: "Beyond Bostock: Sex Discrimination in the Workplace"

University of Virginia School of Nursing: Lectures to undergraduate, graduate, and RN to BSN students on topics related to malpractice and licensing matters.

Multimedia

  • “Thank you for your leadership, guidance, and reassurance during the most stressful experience of my nursing career. I wouldn’t have known how to get through that hearing without your help.”

    Client
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