(Leesburg, Virginia) July 6, 2026 – Daniel D. Smith, W. Franklin Pugh, and Jonathan A. Nelson of the law office of Smith Pugh & Nelson, PLC, are pleased to announce that Christopher S. Woodruff has been named a partner at the firm, effective July 1, 2026.

Chris earned his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. While enrolled at Georgetown, Chris founded Life Raft International, Inc., a 501(c)(3) which enables churches to help refugees in Bangkok, Thailand. He also spent significant time working on immigration cases. After law school, Chris lived in Bangkok, where he served as the director of Life Raft International and, as a volunteer attorney at Asylum Access, provided pro bono legal support for refugees and asylum seekers.

Chris joined the law firm of Smith Pugh & Nelson in 2021, advising individuals and businesses in the areas of estate planning, corporate transactions, probate, and trust administration. Chris thrives in cross-cultural contexts, speaks conversational Spanish, and enjoys working with clients to develop practical solutions to complex legal challenges.

Learn more about Chris Woodruff.

About the Law Office of Smith Pugh & Nelson, PLC

For more than 40 years, the attorneys of Smith Pugh & Nelson have provided clients in Loudoun, Fairfax, and surrounding Virginia counties with invaluable expertise and experience in estate planning, probate law, and the formation and preservation of closely held businesses. Their understanding of the legal and practical issues an executor or trustee is likely to encounter affords them unique insights into the preparation of wills and trusts. Experts in the fields of tax, trusts, estate planning, probate, litigation, and corporate law, the attorneys of Smith Pugh & Nelson are recognized in the legal community and among their clients for their integrity, personal attention, and discreet advice.

Learn more about our firm.