Leading Virginia

Richmond Law graduates are setting the standard for others in the legal profession. Of the 30 individuals named by Virginia Lawyers Weekly as Leaders in the Law, nine were Richmond Law alumni. No other school had more than three. 

Leaders in the Law

• Lauren Ellerman, L’04, Frith & Ellerman Law Firm, Roanoke

• Heather M. Fields, L’09, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Richmond

• Jeffrey A. Hunn, L’00, Pender & Coward, Virginia Beach

• Benjamin D. Leigh, R’91 and L’96, Troxell Leigh, Leesburg

• Harris W. Leiner, L’01, Barnes & Diehl, Richmond

• Isaac A. McBeth, L’11, Halperin Law Center, Richmond

• Shari Skipper, L’05, Hanover County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office

• Henry “Harry” N. Ware Jr., L’83, Spotts Fain, Richmond

• Carolyn A. White, L’93, ThompsonMcMullan, Richmond 

Up & Coming Lawyers

• P. Thomas DiStanislao, L’16, Butler Snow, Richmond

• Brooke Taylor, L’15, Reinhardt Harper Davis, Richmond

• Laurel E. Via, L’21, Barnes & Diehl, Richmond

• Amanda M. Weaver, L’14, Williams Mullen, Richmond

“Winning this award reflects the passion that I have for the legal profession. It means that I have the respect of my peers. It also means that I have a continuing obligation to mentor the younger generation of attorneys. I wouldn’t be where I am now without my Richmond Law education. The Richmond community is special. It opens doors. I made lifelong friends at the University of Richmond, many of whom I work on cases with today. My Richmond Law education was invaluable and made winning this award possible.” 
— Jeffrey A. Hunn, L’00

“There are a lot of good people around the commonwealth trying to make lives for everyday Virginians better — a lot of these folks went to Richmond [Law]. I consider myself lucky when I drop in for a guest lecture from time to time and keep up with some of the great professors like Wade Berryhill and Hamilton Bryson.”
— Benjamin D. Leigh, L’96

“This recognition spoke to the reason I focused my practice on estate and elder law. The ceremony was held on the 30th anniversary of my father’s suicide. In managing the financial and emotional aftereffects of his death and that of my maternal grandfather six months later, I saw these areas of law had tremendous impact on the survivors’ lives. I’m grateful for my peers’ appreciation of this vital work.”
— Carolyn A. White, L’93