Greg Werkheiser

Founding Partner
703.408.2002

Greg Werkheiser’s mission is connecting the lessons of our past to the leadership of our future. He believes this is achieved by protecting, conveying, and applying wisdom gleaned from history and diverse cultures to solve modern challenges and build a better society. To realize this goal, Greg has pursued professions in three fields: cultural heritage and civil rights law, augmented reality technology, and leadership education.

Greg is co-founder and CEO of technology company ARtGlass. Over the last decade, ARtGlass has become the global leader in bringing wearable (on transparent smartglasses) augmented reality (AR) to heritage tourism. ARtGlass’s software and services help cultural sites deploy exciting and educational storytelling experiences with 3D digital content layered over visitors’ real-world view. ARtGlass was the first company to scale wearable AR experiences to millions of site visitors, and the first to deploy long-form tours in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

Greg is Founding Partner of Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC, the world’s premier law firm in its field. For fourteen years CHP has helped clients protect special places, objects, and practices, including artifacts, artworks, architecture, landscapes, and traditions. Greg and his colleagues have secured numerous landmark victories, particularly for the protection of Indigenous and Black heritage and civil rights. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and National Geographic. He provided the legal strategy that led to the removal of the United States’ most visible Confederate monuments. For his work protecting history and culture, Greg was awarded the 2023 Simons Medal of Excellence, previously awarded to King Charles III.

Additionally, over two decades Greg pioneered influential new methods of leadership education. He established institutes that invented new pedagogies for preparing emerging leaders of positive social change across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Greg’s programs have nurtured tens of thousands of students, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognized him as one of America’s top civic educators.

Early in his career, Greg crafted speeches for prominent public officials, including President and First Lady Bill and Hillary Clinton, U.S. Ambassador to France Pamela Harriman, and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Warner.

Greg graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law and the College of William and Mary, where he was elected student body president, led statewide advocacy that defeated proposed state cuts to public higher education, and cofounded the campus chapter of the NAACP. Raised in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania, Greg’s access to college was made possible thanks, in part, to a virtual stranger who helped fund his tuition in return for Greg’s pledge to continue the cycle of generosity.

Greg’s family calls Richmond, Virginia home. His hobbies include adventurous travel, creative writing, pun-making (black belt), befriending wild crows, and tinkering with his 1941 Harley Davidson.

REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS

Advised the Mayor of Richmond, VA, in the successful removal of 13 city-owned “Lost-Cause” Confederate monuments from the infamous Monument Avenue. Represented 50 neighbors living in direct lines of sight to the Robert E. Lee Monument, filing a state Supreme Court brief in successful litigation securing the monument’s removal. Represented the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in taking ownership of Richmond’s removed monuments.
Represented the Montpelier Descendants Committee, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring the narratives of enslaved Americans at plantation sites in Central Virginia and comprised of the descendants of those enslaved individuals, in their successful efforts to achieve shared governance on the board of U.S. President James Madison’s Montpelier, the first achievement of its kind in the museum world. Represented the Montpelier Foundation during its reconstitution under new leadership and structural parity.
Protected Rassawek, the ancestral capital of the Monacan Indian Nation, from destruction by the construction of water pumping facilities, preventing the disturbance of ancestral burials and destruction of rich cultural resources. Rassawek was named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as among America’s most endangered historic sites. The four-year battle to protect Rassawek enlisted tens of thousands of citizens and preservation organizations nationwide.
Secured the return of the Wounded Indian sculpture to its rightful owner, the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association (“MCMA”). The celebrated life-sized statue had been the subject of a decades-long ownership dispute between MCMA and the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia.
Represent six of the most recently federally recognized Tribal Nations in advancing their efforts to strengthen their sovereign governments and secure their cultural heritage. On behalf of six federally recognized tribes in Virginia, negotiated an Executive Order with the Governor to affirm the Commonwealth’s obligation to consult with tribal nations on state permits.
Led successful federal and state civil rights lawsuits on behalf of an American Indian tribe against the State of New Jersey for undermining long-held recognition of the Tribe and interfering in its sovereignty and programs.
Counseled foreign governments seeking international cooperation on strategies for protecting their cultural heritage sites suffering losses looting as part of a $4 billion black market trade in looted antiquities.
Negotiated a successful conclusion to the historic resources review process for the nation’s first offshore wind farm, resulting in multi-million dollar investments in historic preservation.
Protected the Black Creek Site, a major American Indian archaeological and sacred site, through 5-years of precedent-setting litigation – now a state park.

REPRESENTATIVE PRESENTATIONS

Presenter: “The Battle to Honor Native and Black Cultural Heritage,” SXSW, Austin, TX, 2024.
Presenter: “Requiring Balance Between Offshore Wind Development and Preservation,” Town of New Shoreham (Block Island), RI, 2023.
Keynote Speaker: “Cultural Heritage as a Human Right,” Simons Medal of Excellence Award, College of Charleston and the Historic Preservation and Community Planning Program, Charleston, SC, 2023.
Keynote Speaker: “Cultural Heritage Law: Stories from the Battlefront,” College of Charleston and the Historic Preservation and Community Planning Program, Charleston, SC, 2023.
Keynote Speaker: “Introducing Cultural Heritage Law,” University of Chicago School of Law, Chicago, IL, 2023.
Panelist: “Cultural and Environmental Resources Law,” Virginia Environmental Law Journal’s Fall Symposium, University of Virginia School of Law, Charlottesville, VA, 2018.
Keynote Speaker: “National Native American Heritage Month,” National Labor Relations Board, Office of EEO, Washington, DC 2017.
Opening Keynote: “The Future of History,” U.S. Naval Academy, The Old Line State Summit, Annapolis, MD 2017.
Opening Keynote: “The Future of History,” Adler Theatre, Preserve Iowa Summit, Davenport, IA 2016.
Presenter: “Preservation50,” National Trust for Historic Preservation, PastForward Conference, Washington, DC, 2015.
Keynote Speaker, “The Future of Cultural Property Law,” Santa Clara University School of Law, Cultural Heritage Law Society, Santa Clara, CA, 2015.
Plenary Speaker, “Tribal Energy Development & Cultural Preservation,” Ute Tribe Energy Conference & Expo, Denver, CO, 2014.
Opening Speaker, “Building A Cross-Sector Leadership Movement,” The Presidio Institute & White House Forum on Cross-Sector Leadership, San Francisco, CA, 2013.
Keynote Speaker, “Keys to Success for Community Action Outcomes,” Community Action Partnership Management & Leadership Training Conference, San Diego, CA, 2013.
Panel Moderator, “Social Enterprise for Nonprofits,” Nonprofit Bootcamp 2013, Microsoft Campus, Mountain View, CA, 2013.
Keynote Speaker, “Solving Complex Social Challenges,” Social Innovation Program Commencement Ceremony, The Newseum, Washington, DC, 2012.
Opening Speaker, “Entrepreneurship in the Age of Austerity,” Accelerating Social Entrepreneurship Conference, Arlington, VA, 2011.
Speaker, “On New Forms of Public Leadership,” Active Citizen’s Conference, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 2011.
Keynote Speaker, “The Power of Social Innovation Education,” Launch of the George Mason University Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Fairfax, VA, 2011.
Keynote Speaker, “The Story of Your Founding,” NAACP William and Mary Chapter 15^th Anniversary Celebration, Williamsburg, VA, 2009.
Presenter: “Preservation Litigation: The Battle to Save the Black Creek Site,” William and Mary School of Law, Williamsburg, VA, 2010.
Commencement Keynote, “Leading Your Life in Exponential Times,” South County High School, Fairfax, VA, 2010.
Keynote Speaker, “Phoenix Rising: Reviving Economically Distressed Communities,” Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement at Mary Baldwin College, Staunton, VA, 2008.

REPRESENTATIVE PRESS

Greg’s work has appeared in more than 500 media outlets, including in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on National Public Radio. Examples include:

CT News Junkie, “Revolution Wind Facing Legal Turbulence,” by Brian Scott-Smith (April 10, 2024)
The Associated Press, “Two Native American boys died at a boarding school in the 1890s. Now, the tribe wants them home,” by Jim Salter (February 1, 2024)
HuffPost, “Army Refuses To Return Indigenous Boys’ Remains,” by Roque Planas (January 19, 2024)
Axios, “Tribe sues to force U.S. Army to hand over remains of 2 children,” by Russell Contreras (January 17, 2024)
The Newport Buzz, “The Bartholomewtown Podcast: Newport Preservation Society Discusses Their Concerns About Offshore Wind Project,” by Christian Winthrop (December 1, 2023)
Boston Globe, “Newport, Block Island preservation groups seek relief from wind farms’ anticipated ‘adverse effects,’” by Carlos R. Munoz (November 30, 2023) (PDF version)
WSHU, “RI organizations file lawsuits against CT offshore wind projects,” by Brian Scott-Smith (November 27, 2023)
NBC4 New York, “Montaukett Chief blames inside politics for decades of ‘wrongfully’ erased recognition,” by Linda Gaudino and Jennifer Vazquez (November 7, 2023)
“Cape May Files Lawsuit Challenging Approval of Orsted’s Ocean Wind 1 Project,” by Cape May County (October 17, 2023)
EIN Presswire, “Simons Medal of Excellence to be Awarded to Preservation Law and Technology Pioneers Marion and Greg Werkheiser,” by Cultural Heritage Partners, PLLC (October 10, 2023)
Nantucket Current, “Balancing Wind Energy and Cultural Heritage Preservation,” by Will Cook, Greg Werkheiser, and Marion Werkheiser (September 16, 2023)
The Associated Press, “‘Wounded Indian’ sculpture given in 1800s to group founded by Paul Revere is returning to Boston,” by Mark Pratt (August 15, 2023)
WINA Newsradio, “Historic Statue Case Update with Greg Werkheiser,” by Courteney Stuart (August 10, 2023)
The Art Newspaper, “Chrysler Museum of Art will return disputed sculpture of Indigenous man,” by David D’Arcy (August 10, 2023) (PDF version)
The Boston Globe, “Contested ‘Wounded Indian’ sculpture heading back to Boston after a quarter-century in Norfolk’s Chrysler Museum,” by Malcolm Gay (August 9, 2023)
The New York Times, “Virginia Museum Will Return ‘Wounded Indian’ Statue to Boston,” by Tom Mashberg (August 9, 2023)
The Washington Post, “Norfolk museum agrees to return ‘Wounded Indian’ statue to Boston,” by Greg Schneider (August 9, 2023)
The Art Newspaper, “Bitter row rages over ownership of marble sculpture of Indigenous man,” by David D’Arcy (July 7, 2023) (PDF version)
WINA Newsradio, “Chrysler Museum Historic Sculpture Controversy,” by Courteney Stuart (June 5, 2023)
Hyperallergic, “Chrysler Museum Asked to Return Allegedly ‘Stolen’ Statue,” by Rhea Nayyar (June 4, 2023)
The Washington Post, “Mystery of ‘The Wounded Indian’: Who owns a statue once thought destroyed?” by Greg Schneider (May 21, 2023) (also in print, May 24, 2023) (PDF version)
The Inquirer and Mirror, “Offshore wind could cost town $815 million in tourism,” by Dean Geddes (February 16, 2023)
Associated Press, “Madison estate rehires staff let go during recent turmoil,” (June 5, 2022)
Culpeper Star-Exponent, “James Madison’s Montpelier rehires staff fired, suspended by ex-CEO,” by Clint Schemmer (June 3, 2022)
Hyperallergic, “Montpelier CEO Resigns As Descendants of the Enslaved Get a Seat at the Table,” by Elaine Velie (May 29, 2022)
NPR, “Montpelier says it’s open to parity with slave descendants. Descendants cry foul,” by Alana Wise (April 20, 2022)
The Washington Post, “James Madison’s Montpelier strips power from enslaved descendants group,” by Gregory S. Schneider (March 25, 2022)
The Washington Post, “Battle over Native American burial site in Virginia ends in tribal victory,” by Gillian Brockell (March 16, 2022)
BBC North America, “Virginia Confederate monuments likely headed to black history museum,” (December 30, 2021)
The Washington Post, “Robert E. Lee monument, other Confederate statues could go to Richmond’s Black History Museum under deal,” by Gregory S. Schneider (December 30, 2021)
National Geographic, “Native American Capital Among 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites,” by Andrew Lawler (September 24, 2020)
Politico, “The Black, Millennial Mayor Who Torn Down His City’s White Monuments,” by Andrew Lawler (August 9, 2020)
PR Newswire, “Two More NJ Tribes Have Recognition Reaffirmed,” by Powhatan Renape Nation (March 18, 2019)
The Associated Press, “Native American Tribe Sues New Jersey for Recognition,” Geoff Mulvihill (July 21, 2015)
CBS Evening News (Philly), “SJ Native Americans Renew Fight for State Recognition,” by David Madden and Cleve Bryan (July 21, 2015)
Virginia Lawyers Weekly, “A New Niche: Alexandria Firm Practices ‘Cultural Heritage Law,” (Oct. 25, 2010)

For more press coverage, see here.

ADMISSIONS

District of Columbia Bar
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
U.S District Court for the Western District of Virginia
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, pro hac vice
Virginia State Bar
Virginia Supreme Court

Greg Werkheiser

REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS

REPRESENTATIVE PRESENTATIONS

REPRESENTATIVE PRESS

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