About Hoover Penrod
View Our Practice AreasHoover Penrod provides comprehensive legal services designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses, individuals, and organizations throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Our firm has earned a reputation for integrity, fair-mindedness, and an unwavering commitment to our clients.
Our History
1935
Hoover Penrod was founded in 1935 by Lawrence H. Hoover, Sr. — a prominent attorney in the Shenandoah Valley. Throughout his long legal career, he represented many local governments, institutions, and businesses. He was also active in politics and served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.
1950’s
In the late 1950s, Lawrence Hoover, Sr. was joined by his son Lawrence “Larry” Hoover, Jr., who became known as the “Father of Mediation in Virginia.” He was instrumental in developing mediation in Virginia, now a routine part of the practice of law. Larry also helped found Blue Ridge Legal Services, which has offered pro bono legal representation throughout the Shenandoah Valley for decades.
1970’s
In the 1970s, the firm expanded, with the additions of David Penrod and Dale Davenport. The firm served the Valley’s legal needs through the ’70s and ’80s with four or five lawyers.
1992
In 1992, responding to client needs, the firm began growing and added several experienced attorneys. For many years and continuing to the present date, the firm has served as a full-service law firm representing clients with a wide range of legal needs.
2016
We remain heavily involved in pro bono legal representation and, in 2016, gained state-wide recognition as the recipient of the Lewis J. Powell, Jr. Pro Bono Award.
Our Community Involvement
The needs of our community are at the core of what we do and drive our mission. Our firm’s founders were passionate about serving the community — through Blue Ridge Legal Services and more — and we are proud to uphold our firm’s tradition of community involvement. Our personal history with the Shenandoah Valley has driven us to give back to the community in several different ways.
Through Education
Our attorneys have shared their
knowledge and experience with the community by teaching business law, negotiation, and mediation at local universities and law schools and by participating in annual trial advocacy workshops for area youth.
Through Non-Profits
The attorneys at Hoover Penrod volunteer with local non-profits, serving on their boards, providing them with legal expertise, and supplying them with sweat equity. The staff at Hoover Penrod regularly prepares and serves meals for the Friendship House program in downtown Harrisonburg.
Through Pro Bono
Hoover Penrod is devoted to furthering the delivery of legal services to the poor. For decades, Hoover Penrod has provided countless hours of pro bono legal representation to area residents and is one of the select few law firms in Virginia to receive the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. Pro Bono Award for outstanding pro bono contributions.
Our Mission
Hoover Penrod’s primary mission is to solve our clients’ legal problems effectively and efficiently. We encourage mediation, collaboration, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution to achieve maximum value with minimal conflict. But when those don’t work out, we’re prepared to vigorously represent our clients in court.
