About John
John Coppola is an attorney based in Leesburg, Virginia, specializing in estate planning and trust law. He earned his Juris Doctor from American University Washington College of Law in 1988 and was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1989. His academic background is notable; prior to his legal studies, Coppola obtained an MBA in Marketing from Boston College in 1984 and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Union College in 1982. This diverse educational foundation gave him a unique perspective on the intersections of law, finance, and business. After passing the Virginia Bar, Coppola continued his marketing role at Washington Business School, a trade school owned by his parents. This experience provided him with valuable insights into business operations, which he later applied to his legal practice.
In 1996, he partnered with John Ryan, an established estates and trusts lawyer, to form Ryan & Coppola. The firm initially operated in Towson, Maryland, where they focused on providing comprehensive legal services in estate planning and trust law. However, in 2000, the firm relocated to Leesburg, Virginia, allowing Coppola to work closer to home and better serve the local community. Coppola's practice has primarily centered on estate planning and trust law, where he is known for his attention to detail and client-focused approach. However, his career faced significant challenges in 2011 when he encountered disciplinary action in Maryland for forging estate planning documents. The Maryland Court of Appeals disbarred him, and the Virginia State Bar responded by summarily suspending his license.
A subsequent hearing resulted in a 90-day suspension of his Virginia license, effective March 28, 2025. Reinstatement of his license is contingent upon demonstrating fitness to practice law, alongside a requirement to complete continuing legal education in legal ethics and law office management by December 31, 2025. Despite these setbacks, Coppola remains committed to his legal career. He has been married to Patricia DiSalle Coppola since 1987, and they have four children together. Although they divorced in 2002, they maintain close ties, with Patricia working as an assistant for Ryan & Coppola. This unique dynamic allows them to collaborate professionally while co-parenting their children.
Coppola resides in Upperville, Virginia, and continues to practice law from the Leesburg office of Ryan & Coppola, focusing on rebuilding his reputation and serving his clients with integrity. For verification of his current status with the Virginia State Bar, interested parties can contact the Regulatory Compliance Department at (804) 775-0530 or via email at [email protected]. This ensures that clients and colleagues have access to up-to-date information regarding his professional standing.
