H. Eugene Oliver, III, Esq.

Managing Partner

Eugene Oliver is a partner at Evans Oliver, PLC who focuses his practice on criminal defense and traffic matters. Eugene also handles select domestic relations and custody/visitation cases. Eugene is committed to providing zealous advocacy and high quality representation for all of his clients. He focuses his practice on not only making the best legal arguments in court, but also on guiding you through the complex legal system and working with you to protect your interests. 

Eugene is a former prosecutor who now practices criminal defense in both State and Federal Court, with extensive experience in all types of cases, ranging from violent crimes like first degree murder, rape and robbery to major drug offenses to serious financial crimes. Having handled thousands of cases as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, he knows the ins and outs of criminal law practice throughout Virginia. He has participated in all stages of criminal cases from pre-trial investigations to appeal and is prepared to represent your interests zealously every step of the way.

Eugene also has extensive experience handling traffic matters. He prosecuted thousands of traffic cases and now puts that experience to work for his clients. He routinely defends clients accused of Manslaughter, Driving Under the Influence, Driving on a Suspended License, Reckless Driving, Hit and Run, Eluding, Speeding and other traffic matters throughout the Shenandoah Valley. He has successfully received reductions and dismissals for his clients in all types of traffic cases, through both trial and negotiation.

While based in the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Mr. Oliver also actively represents clients in Augusta, Shenandoah, Page, Rockbridge, Albemarle, Highland, Bath, and Alleghany counties and the cities of Staunton, Waynesboro, Charlottesville, Lexington, and Buena Vista as well as throughout both the United States Western District and Eastern District Courts of Virginia. Furthermore, Eugene handles select matters throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia on a case by case basis.

Eugene is a recognized leader in his field throughout Virginia and the country as he serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, is a Past President of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and serves on the Planning Committee for the Supreme Court’s Annual Leroy R. Hassell, Sr. Indigent Criminal Defense Seminar. For the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Eugene is the co-chair of their Public Defense Committee and a Vice-Chair responsible for planning national level CLE presentations for other lawyers.

Eugene received his law degree from the George Washington University Law School and he graduated from the College of William and Mary with degrees in History and Government. Eugene was the first member of his family to graduate with a Bachelor’s and Law Degree. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Eugene lives in the City of Harrisonburg with his wife, Cody, and their two children. He is an avid pick-up basketball player and enjoys travel and live music in his spare time.

EDUCATION

  • The College of William & Mary, B.A., 2005

  • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2008

COURT ADMISSIONS

  • Virginia State Bar, 2008

  • District of Columbia Bar, 2012

  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 2012

  • United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, 2012

  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2012

  • Supreme Court of the Unites States, 2019

MEMBERSHIPS

  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

    • Board of Directors, 2022 - Present

    • Co-Chair, Public Defense Committee, 2023-Present

    • Vice Chair for Quarterly Meetings, CLE Institute, 2023-Present

  • Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

    • President, 2021

    • President-Elect, 2020

    • Vice President, 2019

    • Board of Directors, 2018-2022

  • Leroy R. Hassell, Sr. Indigent Criminal Defense Seminar Planning Committee, 2023-Present

  • Virginia Trial Lawyers Association

  • Harrisonburg/Rockingham County Bar Association

    • Secretary, 2017-2018

  • Virginia State Bar, Communications Committee, 2015-2017

PUBLISHED DECISIONS

  • McMahon v. Wirick, 762 S.E.2d 781 (Va., 2014)

  • Holmes v. Commonwealth, 880 S.E.2d 17 (Va. Ct. App. 2022)

CLE PRESENTATIONS

  • Avoiding the Pitfalls and Moving Your Case through GDC with the Hon. William W. Eldridge, IV. Conquering the Mountains: New Paths to Win Your Case, VACDL 2019 Fall Seminar

  • Probation Violations: How to Mitigate, Advocate, And Sometimes Even Win,” Winning the Unwinnable Case, VACDL Fall Seminar 2018

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