MVA Charleston office announces new Managing Member
January 30, 2026
Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) has announced that, effective January 1, Christopher Ogiba was elected Co-Managing Member of the Charleston office, joining Trudy Robertson in guiding the continued growth and success of the office. Manning Unger, who has provided steady leadership as Co-Managing Member for the last nine years, will continue as a key contributor to the firm through his active and robust business and real estate practice.
“For almost 30 years, our Charleston office has been known for its outstanding lawyers, deep client relationships, and collaborative culture,” said Tom Mitchell, Chair and Managing Partner of Moore & Van Allen. “Chris, Trudy, and Manning exemplify the leadership that has made the Charleston office a significant contributor to the firm’s success, and we are confident the Charleston team is well positioned to continue serving clients and growing strategically for years to come.”
Chris leads MVA’s Charleston Litigation team and is widely recognized for his work in commercial litigation, construction law, banking and finance litigation, and employment law. He serves as a go‑to trial attorney for complex disputes involving Fortune 500 companies, home builders, financial institutions, construction firms, and real estate developers. Chris has been honored by Best Lawyers in America in multiple categories, including Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Banking and Finance Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Employment Law and Litigation, and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Action and was named “Lawyer of the Year” for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants in 2025. Chris has been practicing law for 27 years, the last 18 of which have been at MVA, and is a graduate of Haverford College and Cornell Law School, cum laude.
Trudy continues in her leadership role as Co-Managing Member while maintaining an active practice in business and commercial litigation, health care law, banking, municipal, fiduciary, and property matters. She regularly advises municipalities, nonprofits, and health care providers on governance, compliance, licensing, and litigation. Trudy is recognized in Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law, and Trusts & Estates Litigation.
Manning continues his practice spanning business, mergers and acquisitions, securities, financial services, economic incentives, and commercial real estate. He has earned repeated recognition in Best Lawyers in America, including “Lawyer of the Year” honors in Corporate Law (2023, 2025) and Real Estate Law (2026). His years of guidance have helped shape the collaborative culture and strong client relationships that define MVA’s Charleston presence.
MVA’s Charleston office provides clients with exceptional counsel across a broad range of matters, including litigation, banking, corporate transactions, trusts and estates, health care, real estate development, bankruptcy, maritime and admiralty, and regulatory issues.
About Moore & Van Allen
Since 1950, Moore & Van Allen PLLC (MVA) has practiced law and served clients with excellence across numerous core practice areas, including Corporate & Transactional, Finance & Investments, and Litigation & Global Disputes. Today, MVA is an Am Law 200 firm comprised of more than 400 attorneys and professionals with wide-ranging backgrounds and experience, serving clients in over 90 areas. As MVA commemorates 75 years of successes in client and community endeavors, we look forward to many more decades of meaningful impact across the Southeast, the nation, and the globe.
