The staff of The Elder Law & Estate Planning Center of Southwestern Virginia offer personal attention and the highest quality of legal representation and counsel, all for a predetermined fixed fee! In elder law and estate planning matters, Managing Attorney, Charles Graves Anthony, III, understands that hourly billing makes clients hesitant to call on their counsel and by utilizing fixed fees, our clients know from the beginning of the attorney-client relationship, that they have more than an attorney, they have personal counsel in their corner.
For those interested in a quick bit of firm history, this lawfirm has local roots that actually date back to Philpott & McGhee run by A.L. and Dale. Like most lawfirms at that time, P & M was general practice. This lawfirm spent many wonderful years serving the local Bassett community and adjoining areas at its original location on 3371 Fairystone Park Highway.
After A. L. Philpott's passing, Dale McGhee asked his longtime Paralegal and Office Manager, Mrs. Betty Wright, to ask Robert W. Haley, a then solo practicing attorney to meet with Mr. McGhee. This fateful meeting led to Mr. Haley taking over that firm in 1996 as Mr. McGhee sought to retire.
Mr. Haley continued to build and grow his practice from there, eventually changing the name of his law practice around 2015 from the name of Robert W. Haley, Attorney At Law, to The Estate & Elder Law Center of Southside Virginia. This change better reflected the firm's evolving practice area of focus from simply being general practice and real estate to only focusing on estate planning and elder law. Mr. Haley saw a greater need for specialization in the area, especially in regards to long-term care planning and asset protection!
During this time, Mr. Haley would go on to expand the firm further by adding two additional office locations in Danville and Lynchburg, both successful in their own right!. In a bittersweet move made In 2023, the firm that started in Bassett, VA finally relocated that original office where it started to its new home on 1460 Fairystone Park Highway in Stanleytown, VA for a larger space and better visibility within the community. In the latter months of 2024, there was a passing of the torch: Mr. Anthony was given the opportunity to then take over this location as Managing Attorney in 2025.
Mr. Anthony similarly shares Mr. Haley's connection to the area as "an old Bassett boy" and brings the same interest in his local community along with a focus and passion to help clients and their families plan for the future. Inherited values and tradition of attention to both service and expertise under the watchful eye and tutelage of Attorney Robert W, Haley are also core aspects of this firm's vision. Mr. Anthony and his staff understand the importance of addressing a client's estate planning and asset protection needs and concerns, and finding solutions to many of life’s uncertainties in the complex field of elder law. Below, I would like to introduce you to Mr. Anthony and our team members who may be working with you:
Originally an Associate Attorney of The Estate & Elder Law Center of Southside Virginia's Bassett office location before taking over the firm, Charles Graves Anthony, III, is now Managing Attorney of The Elder Law & Estate Planning Center of Southwestern Virginia. A graduate of Bassett High School, Class of 2012, He attended Hampden-Sydney College, graduating in 2016. From there, he went on to receive his Juris doctorate in Law from Charleston School of Law, in 2020.
Being a Bassett native, he is pleased to have the opportunity to return and practice law in his hometown. He is a member of the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. In addition, he has also received his certification as a Guardian Ad Litem, serving as an advocate on behalf of incapacitated adults facing Guardianship proceedings.
As your Attorney, Mr. Anthony is here to discuss your Estate Planning and Elder Law needs including Asset Protection/Medicaid Planning, concerns and questions.
In his off-hours, he considers himself a pit master when it comes to barbecue, as well as being a massive sports and music fan. When it comes to community involvement, he is Vice President of the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society, a Highway 57 Cruise-In Sponsor Representative, and is an active member of the Bassett Kiwanis. He is a member in long-standing of the Greater Bassett Area Community and is heavily active in his church as an acting Deacon, and active member of several committees.
Grace may be one of the first people you talk to on the phone or see when coming into our office! She joined our team bringing enthusiasm to the process of helping our clients with their Estate Planning documents as well as assisting in Estate Administration/Probate and Medicaid Planning/Asset Protection-related matters. In addition, Grace also aids and assists the attorney and other staff as needed in the management of the firm’s caseload. Her genuine, outgoing and friendly personality will make working with her a pleasurable experience.
Grace has four children that she enjoys spending quality time with. When time permits, her creativity is shown in her artistic sketching ability and talent of bringing old furniture back to life.
As Legal Assistant, Marketing Specialist & Community Liaison, Mal Rorrer may be the first person to greet you on the phone or when you arrive for an office meeting. He is often your first course of contact with the office should you need a seminar, speaking engagement or consultation with the attorney.
Mr. Rorrer has many years of experience in marketing and public relations. He manages our seminars, website and social media, and preparation of various printed marketing materials. Along with staff, Mal also aids and assists the attorney as needed in the management of the firm’s caseload. He has as many outside interests as the various ‘hats’ he wears at work, which include movie-making, music and art. Married father of 3, Mal is also an accomplished artist, who likes to collect and restore vintage electronic keyboards and instruments.
