Plaintiffs Accuse Former Shareholders of Malicious Campaign Leading to Career Ruin

In a dramatic legal confrontation, a couple from Richmond, Virginia has taken their grievances to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. On December 8, 2025, Michael C. Hild and Laura D. Hild filed a lawsuit against Russell Walker and William F. Panak, accusing them of engaging in a malicious campaign that has irreparably damaged their personal and professional lives.

The complaint outlines how Michael Hild, who founded Live Well Financial, Inc., became embroiled in conflict with Walker and Panak when the company was unable to meet their financial demands as minority shareholders. The plaintiffs allege that beginning in 2020, Walker and Panak launched a series of harassing emails and defamatory campaigns targeting Laura Hild’s career at HKS Architects in Richmond. These actions allegedly led to her eventual termination in February 2023 after being sidelined due to fears that her association with Michael Hild’s criminal case would damage client relationships.

According to the court documents, Walker used multiple pseudonymous email accounts to send damaging information about Laura Hild to her colleagues and clients. This included false accusations related to Michael Hild’s legal troubles and personal details suggesting stalking behavior. The plaintiffs claim that Panak supported this campaign by spreading similar falsehoods on social media and local media outlets.

The impact on Laura Hild’s career was devastating; she claims that her reputation is now so tarnished that she is unemployable within her field. Her professional network has evaporated, leaving her isolated from former colleagues and industry contacts. Furthermore, the stress of these events coincided with significant health challenges for Laura, exacerbating her situation.

Michael Hild also asserts severe reputational harm due to this alleged conspiracy. He points out that after issuing a cease-and-desist letter in late 2022, the emails ceased immediately—evidence he believes points directly to Walker as the perpetrator.

The plaintiffs are seeking over $5 million in damages for lost earnings, medical expenses due to emotional distress caused by the defendants’ actions, treble damages under Virginia law for statutory business conspiracy, punitive damages, as well as costs associated with pro se litigation.

Representing themselves without legal counsel (pro se), Michael C. Hild and Laura D. Hild have laid out their case before Judge David J. Novak under Case ID 3:25-cv-01000-DJN.