Virginia Lawyers Weekly Honors Ed White and John McInnis with Legal Excellence in Innovation Award

Williams Mullen is pleased to announce that Edward T. White, a partner in the firm's Intellectual Property Section, and John M. McInnis III, an associate in the firm's Litigation Section, have been named recipients of Virginia Lawyers Weekly's 2026 Legal Excellence in Innovation Award. The pair has been recognized in the Practice Area Innovation Individual category.

White is founder and chair of Williams Mullen’s multidisciplinary Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) practice, which integrates intellectual property, regulatory compliance and commercial transactions to address the NIL landscape. He advises on the full lifecycle of NIL-related brand development, including trademark strategy, licensing and enforcement, as well as emerging issues such as AI and data governance. 

McInnis is a litigator who also serves as a member of Williams Mullen’s NIL team. He helps clients navigate the evolving NIL landscape by monitoring legal and regulatory developments, advising on risk management considerations and supporting dispute resolution efforts.

The Virginia Lawyers Weekly Legal Excellence in Innovation Awards recognize attorneys, law firms and legal organizations that are transforming the delivery of legal services through creativity, innovation and forward-thinking leadership.

To read more on the honorees, click here.