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Taite Aaron Westendorf
also known as Westendorf & Khalaf, PLLC
About Taite
Biography
Taite has devoted his entire legal career to the practice of criminal defense. Prior to co-founding Westendorf & Khalaf, Taite worked as a supervising attorney in the largest Public Defender's office in the state (Virginia Beach). His career has been defined by taking on a variety of tough high stakes cases. In a state where a fraction of felony cases go to trial (and less than 1% go to jury trial), Taite has taken over one hundred felony cases to trial and has won not guilty verdicts following jury trials for murder, rape, robbery, abduction, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, malicious wounding, burglary, larceny, abduction, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, sexual battery, and others. Taite has worked on almost every kind of criminal case imaginable and his vast experience with serious charges gives him a unique ability to tailor strategic plans for success in your case no matter what the charge. In addition to his trial work, Taite has extensive appeals experience and has argued dozens of times before the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia. While in the Public Defender's Office, he ran the internship program and is proud to have mentored, supervised, and trained many attorneys who are currently public defenders, prosecutors, and members of the private bar.
Taite co-founded Westendorf & Khalaf with the mission of providing high quality representation in high stakes criminal cases. He knows that no two cases are the same and prides himself on painstakingly examining every case to find the angle that can get his client the best result. He has learned through hard fought experience that trials, motions to suppress, and appeals can be won. Taite is a proud alumni of the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond School of Law. He lives in Virginia Beach with his wife and four children.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Virginia for 19 years
State: Virginia
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Location
Westendorf & Khalaf, PLLC
One Columbus Center, Suite 600, Virginia Beach, VA, 23462
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Taite Aaron Westendorf's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Amanda | July 23, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
He's a beast in the courtroom
This was my attorney in two different cases. He fights for you in the courtroom and represents to the fullest. I would highly recommend him as an attorney.
Posted by Beverly | June 4, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Goes out of his way
Taste Westendorf, defended my husband when he was in the city of Va Beach public defender office. God bless him for cleaning my husband chargers. Everyone else probably would not of done the job that he did for my husband.
Posted by Josh | September 8, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great all around with good communication.
Handled my case very professionally and with results. I was very pleased with the outcome of the case and the communication was good throughout. Would highly recommend.
Posted by Dolores | September 16, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Criminal Defense
Taite was an appointed attorney for my grandson. He was caring, kind, and tried his best to win the case which involved criminal charges. The person serving as prosecutor played dirty and went back to my grandson's juvenile days which were supposed to be sealed and time already served. Taite did ...
Posted by Alicia | September 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Time
He told me I wouldn't do any jail time and he is a man of his word I am greatful to him
Taite Aaron Westendorf's Lawyer Endorsements
"Taite Westendorf is truly a master of his craft. He's won countless jury trials, motions to suppress, and bench trials. Prosecutors know that he is one of the toughest adversaries in Virginia Beach, and his outcomes back that up. If you have a case that looks like it might go to trial, he is your man."
"I endorse this lawyer. Taite Westendorf is without a doubt one of the finest attorneys in the Commonwealth. He possesses the rare ability to discourse in academic principles of law with the Judges; while also having the charisma to speak with a jury. If I was ever in trouble I would call Westendorf. From murder to mayhem, Mr. Westendorf is a force to be reckoned with."
"I recommend Taite to any person facing criminal charges. I had the good fortune to mentor under him, and he is the type of attorney many aspire to be. While he was with the Public Defender's Office, more than once I heard him referred to as the "gold standard" in Virginia Beach."
"I endorse this lawyer. He picked up more experience than most defense attorneys get in a lifetime. He knows Virginia Beach like the back of his hand."
"Taite is a great friend and better lawyer. His ability to manipulate a case into favorable waters is unmatched. If i needed a lawyer, I would call Taite."
"Taite Westendorf is an exceptional criminal defense attorney. He is brilliant, well-prepared and stays up to date changes in the law in Virginia. I was lucky for Mr. Westendorf to be my supervisor and I learned so much about how to win a trial from him. He doesn't shy away from a complicated or hard-to-win trial. He also plans ahead to deal with each issue in the most strategic way. As a current prosecutor - I would certainly get nervous knowing I had to oppose him in the Courtroom! I highly recommend his services."
"I have observed Taite in court, and he is a passionate and zealous advocate for his clients. I have seen him take on cases where it appeared to everyone else that there was overwhelming evidence of guilt against his client, and Taite diligently researched the law and found arguments that resulted in dismissals. He's a hard worker and has handled the most serious cases there are. I highly recommend him to anyone in need of a criminal defense lawyer."
"I had the opportunity to work under Mr. Westendorf in 2011, and under his tutelage I learned exactly what type of attorney I wanted to be. He is one of the most respected attorneys in the area and is an intellectual giant in the courtroom. You are in great hands with Taite."
"Taite Westendorf is one of the best attorneys I ever worked with. If, God forbid, I will get in trouble - he will be the first lawyer I call. Taite is a nice and easy going guy outside of the courtroom but when he fights for his clients he is unstoppable."
"Taite is a superb attorney! Once a client has Taite, no other attorney will have a chance to sign a substitution of counsel order. Taite's experience is invaluable."
"I fully endorse Taite Westendorf. I've had possibly a hundred or more cases in which Taite was opposing counsel over the years. He has a strong reputation as an amazing trial attorney who advocates zealously for each of his clients."
"Taite is one of the most well-respected trial attorneys in Virginia Beach. He is always extremely well-prepared, thorough, and aggressive in court. I have worked with him as co-counsel on numerous high-stakes jury trials and have witnessed him achieve amazing results through well-argued motions and effective cross-examination of opposing witnesses. I strongly endorse Taite."
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Experience
Honors
2018
Premier Attorney, National Academy of Jurisprudence
2017
Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers Invitation Selection, National Trial Lawyers
2017
Certified Criminal Attorney for Indigent Defendants, Virginia Supreme Court
2017
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2017 - Present
Partner, Westendorf & Khalaf
2006 - 2017
Senior Assistant, Virginia Beach Office of the Public Defender
2005 - 2005
Intern, Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
Associations
2016 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2016 - Present
National Association of Public DefendersMember
2006 - Present
Virginia State BarMember
2006 - Present
Virginia Supreme CourtCertified Criminal Attorney for Indigent Defendants
Sample of Legal Cases
Commonwealth v. M.J.
Not guilty of possession of marijuana after trial. Possession of heroin dropped in higher court.
Commonwealth v. A.A.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. D.F.
Not guilty on all charges after trial
Commonwealth v. J.M.
Not guilty on all felony charges after jury trial
Commonwealth v. J.V.
All felony charges dropped to one misdemeanor concealed weapon with no jail time.
Commonwealth v. L.M.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. C.D.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. K.C.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. M.J.
Reduced to misdemeanor. Successfully argued for no time to serve.
Commonwealth v. J.D.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. O.C.
Not guilty on all charges after trial
Commonwealth v. D.R.
Not guilty on all charges after trial
Commonwealth v. S.W.
Reduced to misdemeanor with no jail time after trial
Commonwealth v. D.A.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. P.P.
Not guilty on all charges after trial
Commonwealth v. K.J.
Reduced to misdemeanor with no jail time.
Commonwealth v. S.E.
Not guilty of misdemeanor. Felony reduced to misdemeanor with no jail time after trial.
Commonwealth v. V.W.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. K.J.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. S.H.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. D.C.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. J.J.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. B.S.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. D.G.
Reduced to misdemeanor after trial
Commonwealth v. A.L.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. T.J.
All charges dismissed after hearing
Commonwealth v. C.O.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. J.C.
All charges dropped after hearing
Commonwealth v. J.D.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. K.B.
Not guilty on all charges
Commonwealth v. M.H.
Reduced to misdemeanor with no jail time after trial
Commonwealth v. K.J.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. R.S.
Not guilty on all charges
Commonwealth v. V.H.
All charges dropped after hearing
Commonwealth v. T.W.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. C.W.
Not guilty on all charges
Commonwealth v. D.M.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. J.T.
All charges dropped after hearing
Commonwealth v. A.R.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. R.R.
Not guilty on all charges
Commonwealth v. P.J.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. D.D.
Both charges reduced to misdemeanors after trial
Commonwealth v. V.S.
reduced to one misdemeanor after trial
Commonwealth v. T.A.
Not guilty on all charges
Commonwealth v. J.H.
reduced to misdemeanor after trial
Commonwealth v. R.B.
All charges dropped after jury trial
Commonwealth v. R.W.
reduced to one count of possession of marijuana with no jail time
Commonwealth v. A.L.
reduced to misdemeanors after trial
Commonwealth v. N.B.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. J.J.
Not guilty on all charges
Commonwealth v. C.M.
reduced to misdemeanor after trial
Commonwealth v. T.H.
Reduced to manslaughter after jury trial
Commonwealth v. G.E.
Not guilty on all charges after jury trial
Commonwealth v. G.D.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. L.P.
Not guilty on all charges after trial
Commonwealth v. S.B.
Not guilty on all charges after trial
Commonwealth v. E.D.
Reduced to manslaughter after jury trial
Commonwealth v. S.K.
Not guilty on all charges after trial
Commonwealth v. S.L.
All charges dropped
Commonwealth v. D.S.
Not guilty on all charges after jury trial
Commonwealth v. J.M.
Reduced to Manslaughter
Commonwealth v. T.W.
Charges reduced with no jail time after jury trial
Commonwealth v. D.C.
Not guilty on all charges after jury trial
Commonwealth v. A.D.
All charges dropped after jury trial
Commonwealth v. L.C.
Not guilty on all charges after jury trial
Education
2005
University of Richmond, The T. C. Williams School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2002
University of Virginia
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2017
Court of Appeals of Virginia
Oral Arguments Montfleury v. Commonwealth
2016
Court of Appeals of Virginia
Court of Appeals Oral Argument
2015
Court of Appeals of Virginia
Court of Appeals Oral Argument
2015
Court of Appeals of Virginia
Oral Arguments Henderson v. Commonwealth
2015
Court of Appeals of Virginia
Oral Arguments Clementi v. Commonwealth
2015
Court of Appeals of Virginia
Oral Arguments Keeling v. Commonwealth
2013
Virginia Beach Public Defender's Office In-Office Training
How to Craft Non-Model Jury Instructions
2012
Virginia Beach Public Defender's Office In-Office Training
Eyewitness Misidentification Defense
Publications
2017
AVVO Legal Guides
How to Defend an Eyewitness ID Case
2017
AVVO Legal Guides
10 Steps for Appealing a Felony Conviction in Virginia
2017
AVVO Legal Guides
How to Find a Good Criminal Defense Attorney in Virginia
2015
Clementi v. Commonwealth
Unpublished Opinion
2015
Keeling v. Commonwealth
Unpublished Opinion
2011
Huber v. Commonwealth
Unpublished Opinion
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I argue collateral attack on 3rd DOS charge?
17 Jan 2018
Q&A
Can a person drop the charges of fraud before it even makes it to court ?
10 Sep 2017
Q&A
How can i get released early supervised probation?
07 Sep 2017
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
How to Find a Good Criminal Defense Attorney in Virginia
24 Jul 2017
Legal Guide
10 Steps for Appealing a Felony Conviction in Virginia
06 Jul 2017