Dear MRWBA Friends,

It’s hard to believe that this will be my last letter to you, as we near the end of the bar year. I am honored to have served as your president; a role that I enjoyed greatly. 

When we started the year, the executive board and committee chairs set goals to improve financial stability, increase sponsorship, grow membership, promote members through referrals and award nominations, expand our presence in the community and online, and find new ways to make our organization meaningful for members of all ages, at all stages of their career.  I am pleased to report that we have accomplished these tasks.   

As of today, we’re on track to finish the year with a $10,000 surplus in our budget, which includes $5,800 more in sponsorship revenue than last year. Our membership remains strong, and we will end the year ahead of where we were last year. We’ve also maintained a steady presence of members at our meetings, while diversifying the group that attends each meeting/event, which I attribute to programs being held in different parts of the metro-Richmond area, at times that appeal to all schedules. We’ve also successfully maintained a presence on multiple social media platforms and held several programs which offered members multiple CLE opportunities, while also affiliating with other bar associations. For the future, we secured the ALPS grant to support our mentorship programs, and we have applied for a sizable grant from the Virginia Law Foundation. 

None of this success would have been possible without your committed executive board members and hard-working committee chairs. I enjoyed working with each of them and know that they will continue to lead this association with great success. 

I hope you will join us on May 20, from 5 - 7pm, at the Dominion Club as we celebrate this year’s Woman of Achievement Honorees and hold our Annual Business Meeting, to raise a glass to a bar association that is alive and well and has much success ahead. 

With gratitude for this opportunity, 

Katy

Katy Groover
2025-2026 MRWBA President

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Celebrating Women of Achievement

Please join us for our Reception and Annual Woman of Achievement Awards presentation on Wednesday, May 20th from 5:00 until 7 p.m. at The Dominion Club in Glen Allen as we honor our 2026 Woman of Achievement Award Winner, enjoy some networking time and hold MRWBA's Annual Business Meeting. 

A selection of light hors d' oeuvres will be available and all registrants will be provided with a drink ticket. Additional beverages may be purchased at the cash bar.

Our Honorees

Claire Guthrie Gastañaga,  Change Servant	Dean Wendy Perdue,  UR School of Law

Thanks to our Platinum sponsor Erica Baez Law and our Gold sponsors Harman Claytor Corrigan Wellman and the Richmond Community Legal Fund for their support of this program and of MRWBA.

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Legislative Luncheon

On April 29^th, MRWBA held our Annual Legislative Luncheon at The Place at Innsbrook. 

The session was moderated by Jeff Schapiro of The Center for Politics at UVA (standing at lectern). Updates on the recent legislative session were shared by Delegate Leslie Chambers Mehta, Delegate Rae Cousins, Delegate Charles H. Schmidt, Jr., and Senator Ryan T. McDougle (seated at head table from left to right). 

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Member Spotlight

Carole Yeatts
UR School of Law

What type of law do you practice?

I am a Director for Career Development at the University of Richmond School of Law where I advise law students on their job search and employers in their recruitment efforts. I am also the faculty advisor for Richmond Women’s Law.

How long have you been a member of MRWBA?

I joined MRWBA the fall after I graduated from law school in 1994. I joined the board the following year and served as MRWBA president in 2001-2002.

What have you enjoyed most about your time in MRWBA?

I met some of my best friends through MRWBA, and the bar has sustained me both personally and professionally for over 30 years. My favorite MRWBA event is the annual past presidents happy hour in June when we welcome the outgoing president (yay for Katy Groover!).

What is at the top of your bucket list?

I took my kids (ages 17 and 20) to Puerto Rico for spring break, and we’re going to Greece next year. I’m trying to take solo trips this year to all of the VA250 celebration locations.

What is the one app on your phone you cannot live without?

Candy Crush Solitaire

What book is currently on your bedside table?

I listened to over 100 books last year on Audible, but I count that as reading. Currently finishing the Expeditionary Force series.

When I am not at the office, I like to …

Scouting. I am still an Assistant Scout Master in co-ed Troop 1893. My son earned Eagle and my daughter made it to Second Class, but now I enjoy working with the younger kids and camping once a month.

If I wasn’t practicing law, I would be…

Tour director for a travel company.

What advice would you give to someone who just passed the bar?

Join MRWBA!

Board Member Spotlight
Elizabeth Dabney
Family Law Associates of Richmond, PC

What type of law do you practice?

Family and domestic relations law, as well as Guardian ad litem work

How long have you been a member of MRWBA?

I joined in 2020

What have you enjoyed most about your time in MRWBA?

What do you like most about practicing law?

Finding solutions for people that are undergoing some of the most difficult and emotional – and often unexpected – times in their lives. 

What is at the top of your bucket list?

My bucket list is basically a travel itinerary.  The top destination changes routinely.  Right now, I think I’d say an African safari.

What is the one app on your phone you cannot live without?

Lame, but my calendar.  I cannot keep it all straight in my head without it.

What book is currently on your bedside table?

What to Expect the First Year.  My son just turned one, so I probably need an update!

When I am not at the office, I like to …

Spend time with family, read, go on walks with the dog.

If I wasn’t practicing law, I would be…

Teaching history.

What advice would you give to someone who just passed the bar?

Ask all of the questions. The bar does not prepare you for practice. Only practice prepares you for practice. Find mentors in your field.