History
Leon P. Ferrance started the firm in 1998 after leaving the firm Key & Tatel in 1997. Two invaluable women followed him from Key & Tatel as well, our secretaries, who have been working with Pat for decades (and know just about everything). In addition to his practice, Pat began traveling and giving lectures, speaking at the National Health Care Collectors Association Annual Meeting, with Lorman Education Services, the Virginia Society of CPAs, the Tenth Annual National Healthcare Collectors Association, Virginia Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Seminars, Health Care Issues in Virginia, the National Health Care Collectors Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management, and the National Business Institute between 1999 and 2005.
In 2006, Pat asked Ray Leven to join the firm, and the firm grew. Friends from law school, they each brought unique perspectives based on their experiences (Pat as a former Assistant Commonwealth Attorney, Ray as a former Public Defender, then later as Chief Magistrate for the 23rd District).
In 2015, looking to further expand the firm, Pat hired Jane Ostdiek. As the youngest addition to the team, Jane is both learning and providing a unique perspective on the changing legal landscape. Leon P. Ferrance P.C. is a law firm of talented, loyal, hard-working, opinionated and honest people. Our clients matter to us, some have been with us for longer than 20 years. We take pride in our work, and in Southwest Virginia--Pat, Ray, and Jane all originally came from different places and made Roanoke their home because each recognize how special Southwest Virginia is. We'd love for you to join the team.
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Attorneys
Retired
Leon P. Ferrance, Of Counsel
While attending Washington & Lee School of law, located in Lexington, Virginia, Pat fell in love with the western part of Virginia. He and his wife decided to make it their home. Pat Ferrance has been a Roanoke-based lawyer since 1976.
In his first legal position as an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney, Pat gained considerable experience in criminal law. He prosecuted cases in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, the General District Court, and the Circuit Courts. He has also appeared in the Virginia Court of Appeals, the United States Fourth Circuit, and the Virginia Supreme Court. His trial experience ranged from simple assault to murder. The substantial time he spent in court gave Pat considerable trial experience, especially in presenting cases to juries.
After leaving the Commonwealth Attorney's Office, Pat went into private practice. Over the years his general practice has flourished because of the personal attention he and his staff give to each client, evidenced in that the bulk of the firms' business is generated by referrals from satisfied clients. He retired in June 2022 after providing decades of service to the Southwest region.
Education
Washington & Lee University School of Law
Juris Doctor, 1976
University of Rhode Island
B.A., Secondary Education, 1972
Activities & Affiliations
Virginia State Bar Association
Virginia Creditors Bar Association
Roanoke Bar Association
Board of Directors, Kirk Family YMCA 2008-2011
Chairman, Board of Directors, Kirk Family YMCA 2011-2014
Author
Debt Collection in Virginia
Health Care Collection Issues in Virginia
Chapter 6, Continuing Legal Education for VSB, "The Check is not in the Mail: Collection Strategies for Accounts Receivable"
Collection Law in Virginia: From Sign-In to Cash-Out
Contributing Author:
Landlord/Tenant Issues
Virginia Collection Law for the Health Care Industry
Successful Collections in Virginia
partner
Jane L. Ostdiek
Jane Ostdiek has an unconventional legal history, first getting her undergraduate degree in Studio Art at the University of Maryland, College Park. During this time, she focused on mixed media sculpture (using carpentry and welding skills), directed and/or choreographed plays and musicals, and acted, danced, and sang in several theatrical performances. She even was a teaching assistant for a flamenco class and did an independent study in that field.
Despite this background, Jane planned for a legal career and from 2012-2015, attended William & Mary School of Law, where she worked as a graduate fellow for Professor Rebecca Green and with the Center for Legal and Court Technology, and completed an externship for the Honorable Deanis L. Simmons of the 28th Circuit Court of Virginia.
While a member of William & Mary's Moot Court team, Jane traveled to compete in appellate competitions across the country. Her team placed in the 23rd Annual Duberstein Moot Court Competition, a national bankruptcy law tournament with over 50 teams competing. Jane was honored to receive an Outstanding Oral Advocate Award for her performance in the competition. She also served as Senior Notes Editor for William & Mary's Business Law Review, managing 32 writers and 2 note editors. During this time, she continued to perform in multiple plays and with several musical groups.
After almost 8 years with the firm, Jane handled countless trials, co-edited part of a Virginia CLE handbook, given lectures on both a national and local level, organized Roanoke’s Latinx Services Fair, serves as a Guardian ad Litem for children, negotiated settlements and drafted contracts for businesses in the Southwestern Region. While her path may seem unique, the reality is Jane has always shown aptitude and curiosity for mastering different topics, determination and willingness to work hard for her goals, excellence with public speaking, and a deeply-rooted desire to use those gifts to help others. Contact her office to see if she can help you too.
Education
William & Mary Law School
Juris Doctor, 2015
The University of Maryland, College Park, Honors College
B.A., Studio Art, summa cum laude, 2012
Activities & Affiliations
Virginia Bar Association
Family Law Section
Virginia Lawyer Referral Service
Roanoke Bar Association
Barrister Book Buddies Reading Program (until 2020 due to the pandemic)
Contributing Editor, Chapter 6, Virginia CLE, Enforcement of Liens and Judgments in Virginia
William & Mary Business Law Review 2013-2015
Staff, Volume 5
Senior Notes Editor, Volume 6
William & Mary Moot Court Team 2013-2015
Membership Coordinator 2013-2014
2014 Burton D. Weschler Competition
2014 John J. Gibbons Competition
2014 William B. Spong Competition, Ghost team
2015 Duberstein Tournament, Semi-Finalist, Outstanding Oral Advocate
Support Staff
In addition to our attorneys, Leon P. Ferrance, P.C. has two wonderful members of its support staff who have been working with Pat for roughly 30 years. Both are fully capable of assisting clients, developing a rapport with clients and promptly addressing their needs. All three lawyers recognize the importance of these two, and realize that they are an integral part of the team.