History of Davis,
Burch & Abrams

The firm was founded in 2014 by our principal Chris Davis in Portsmouth, Virginia. Since then, we have evolved from a local practice into Davis, Burch & Abrams (DBA Law), expanding our footprint to serve high-growth business hubs in Chesapeake and Richmond while maintaining our commitment to the Virginia business community.

We protect it on the front end—by being selective about who we hire, how we staff matters, and how we build systems. We look for experienced lawyers with strong business judgment who can think independently, not just add hours to a file. That allows us to stay partner-led and avoid the bloated staffing models that slow clients down.

We are also intentional about structure. Matters are staffed to match the problem, not to feed internal KPIs or justify oversized teams. That means thoughtful partner involvement, layered execution where it adds value, and a continued focus on strategies that move the client’s business forward. As we grow, the goal is not to look like Big Law. The goal is to preserve the clarity, responsiveness, and business-minded judgment that make the model work in the first place.

The change reflected the firm’s growth and the leadership already shaping its future. As the firm expanded, it became clear that two of our partners—Clem Abrams and Justin Burch—were playing central roles in building the practice and earning the trust of clients and the broader business community.

Clem leads our mergers and acquisitions practice, and Justin leads our litigation team. Renaming the firm recognized their leadership and the character they bring to the firm. It also reflected a broader transition: Davis Law was evolving into Davis, Burch & Abrams, a firm positioned to take the next step in serving businesses across Virginia and beyond.