For over 50 years, the attorneys at Copenhaver, Ellett & Derrico have served the community of Roanoke and established a reputation of being an honest, respectful, and reliable law firm. Built on the idea that clear communication is vital to cultivating quality relationships with those we serve, our team of professionals is committed to understanding our clients’ needs.

Our law firm was founded with the partnership of John D. Copenhaver and J. Albert “Ab” Ellett. Between 1964 and 1991, they trained a number of young lawyers who eventually became Judges, Commonwealth Attorneys, and respected members of the Roanoke legal community.

One of those young lawyers, Richard L. Derrico, joined the firm in 1991. Michelle C. F. Derrico joined the firm in 2005. John Copenhaver and Ab Ellett passed away, but the firm honors their memory with its commitment to quality representation for our clients. We take pride in being “old-fashioned” general practitioners serving the needs of our clients and their families.

With more than 50 years of combined legal experience, attorneys Michelle and Richard Derrico have the proven skills knowledge of Virginia law that is necessary to successfully handle cases involving an array of practice areas, including:


Giving Back to the Community

The team at Copenhaver, Ellett & Derrico is not only dedicated to the success of their clients, but the success of the greater Roanoke community, as well. We are fortunate to be able to contribute our time and effort to numerous organizations across southwest Virginia, including:

  • Roanoke Bar Association
  • Roanoke Law Foundation Fellow
  • United States Naval Institute
  • Beth Israel Synagogue
  • Refugee & Immigration Services
  • St. Andrews Catholic Church
  • Commonwealth Catholic Charities
  • Total Action Against Poverty
  • Legal Aid Society
  • Mary Baldwin College
  • Roanoke Rugby

Meet the Attorneys


Are You Looking for a Law Firm in Roanoke, VA? Contact Copenhaver, Ellett & Derrico Today.

We invite you to contact our Roanoke law firm regarding your complicated legal matters. We serve clients in Roanoke and throughout southwest Virginia. Call Copenhaver, Ellett & Derrico at (540) 655-1854 today, or reach out through our online form to schedule a confidential consultation.