Brian J. Schneider focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, maritime law, and appellate advocacy. His work includes toxic tort and other exposure-related litigation, including matters involving federal officer removal and the government contractor defense in military and Navy-related claims. With more than 20 years of experience, he represents product manufacturers, shipyards, vessel owners, and other corporate defendants in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country.
- Boesenhofer v. Aecome, Civil Action No. 17-1072, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, June 22, 2021
- Mullinex v. Air & Liquid Sys. Corp., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 221669, Eastern District of Virginia, December 6, 2018
- Goodrich v. Air & Liquid Sys. Corp., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 235491, Eastern District of Virginia, October 26, 2018
- Hays v. Foster Wheeler Energy Corp., 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 196718, Southern District of Florida, September 15, 2014
- John Crane Inc. v. Hardick, 284 Va. 329, 732 S.E.2d 1, 2012
- Kiser v. A.W Chesterton Co., 770 F. Supp. 2d 745, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2011
- CNH America LLC v. Smith, 281 Va. 60, 704 S.E.2d 372, 2011
- Roan v. Anderson Trucking Service, Inc., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27894, Middle District of Georgia, 2008
- Mitsubishi Motors Corp. v. Colemon, 290 Ga. App. 86, 2008
- Murrell v. Cargill Meat Logistics Solutions, Inc., 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9134, Middle District of Georgia, 2007
- Sullen v. Worth County Board of Education, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65035, Middle District of Georgia, 2007
- Thompson v. Robby Thruston Carpentry, Inc., 68 Va. Cir. 43, Richmond Circuit Court, 2005
- Velocity Express Mid-Atlantic v. Hugen, 266 Va. 188, 585 S.E.2d 557, 2003
- American Communications Network v. Williams, 264 Va. 336, 568 S.E.2d 683, 2002
- Chase v. Scotts Co., 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28655, District of Maryland, 2002
- Author, “Asbestos Litigation,” Mealey’s Asbestos Reporter, May 2026
- Author, “Standing on the Bow: The Right of Non-Dependent Relatives in Asbestos Litigation to Pursue Death Actions Under General Maritime Law,” Mealey’s Asbestos Reporter, April 2025
- Author, “What’s in a Name: The Ninth Circuit’s Reconciliation in Elorreaga v. ViacomCBS of the Derivative Sovereign Immunity and Government Contractor Defenses,” Mealey’s Asbestos Reporter, February 2025
- Author, “In the Wake of Devries: Revisiting the Extension of Maritime Jurisdiction Over Asbestos Claims,” Defense Counsel Journal, July 2019
- Author, “A ‘Certifiable’ Argument: Application for Certified Questions to the Supreme Court of Virginia Under Rule 5:40,” Virginia State Bar Litigation News, January 2019
- Author, “Air and Liquid Systems Corp. v. Devries: Asbestos Litigation’s ‘Bare Metals’ Defense Goes Before the U.S. Supreme Court,” Westlaw by Thomson Reuters, August 2018
- Author, “Maritime Law Provides No Safe Harbor for Asbestos Plaintiffs Seeking Nonpecuniary Damages,” Legal Backgrounder, September 2016
Admissions
- Virginia
- Georgia
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third, Fourth, and Eleventh Circuit
Memberships
- Virginia State Bar, Board of Governors, Litigation Section
- Henrico County Bar Association, Former President
- Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, Former Chair, Appellate Practice Section
- Henrico County Bar Association
- Virginia Bar Association
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Maritime Law Association of the United States
- Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
- Defense Research Institute
- John Marshall Inn of Court
Community Involvement
- Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Pro Bono Volunteer
Education
- J.D., cum laude, University of Richmond, T.C. Williams School of Law, 2000
- McNeill Law Society, Top 10% of Class
- Moot Court, Board Member
- Trial Advocacy, Board Member
- Journal of Law & Technology
- B.S., cum laude, Accounting, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1995
- Golden Key Accounting Honor Society
Clerkship
- Hon. James P. Jones, U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia, 2001