From the President

Dear Members, Colleagues, and Friends,

Our bar year, back to school, sports seasons, etc. are all in full swing.  There are so many events in October it is hard to know where to start.

October is Pro Bono Awareness month.  Crista Gantz, Virginia State Bar Director of Access to Legal Services, discussed opportunities for pro bono participation with the Free Legal Answers program during the Pro Bono minute at our September luncheon. I encourage members to reach out to Crista to volunteer and learn more: cgantz@vsb.org or alternatively volunteer for another worthy pro bono activity this month.

October is also Hispanic Heritage Month.  This is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the U.S. Latino and Hispanic communities.  MRWBA recognizes and supports our Latino and Hispanic members and hopes you had an opportunity to participate in one or more events throughout the month, such as ¡Virginia Fiesta!, or Restaurante Week, which was sponsored by the Virginia Hispanic Chamber.

October is also the Virginia State Bar CLE credit deadline. I am happy to report MRWBA did our part by offering CLE credit at our October Luncheon: Attorney Mental Health & Wellness. 

Keep up to speed on our great slate of programs and events being offered this bar year from luncheon programs, mentorship events and membership events.  Our events calendar is live and we will continue to update, so mark your calendars now.

Happy Fall!

Mary Hunt
MRWBA President 

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Fall Mentorship Social on November 8th

Make plans to join MRWBA for our upcoming Fall Mentorship Social with RWL! 

All current mentors and mentees are welcome.

Date: Wednesday, November 8th
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: New York Deli, 2920 W Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221

RSVP Today.

Pictured above, participants at the 2021 Fall Mentorship Social.

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Join Us for the Holiday Luncheon!

Join us on December 7, 2023, for MRWBA’s Holiday Luncheon!

We encourage you to come ready to mingle with your fellow members as we all prepare for the holiday season. Registration will begin at noon, with the luncheon going from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please feel free to bring a colleague with you to join in the festivities! Click here for complete details or to register.

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Jingle Bell Ethics Planned

Makes plans to join John Marshall Inn of Court & MRWBA for Jingle Bell Ethics on December 12 at the Jepson Center! This is going to be a very festive and fun event with the added bonus of CLE credit! Registration will start at starting at 5:30 with the program from 6:00 p.m. – 7 p.m. Food will be provided. Keep an eye out for more details to come!

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Member Spotlight

This month’s spotlighted MRWBA member is Catherine Mullins of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She currently serves as Treasurer of the MRWBA.     

Tell us a little about yourself.  Spouse? Children? Pets?

I grew up in Chesterfield and am a graduate of Manchester High School. I went to VCU on a full academic scholarship and later moved to Pittsburgh and attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

I am happily married to my husband, Jim, and have a daughter who is a senior in high school and two adult step-children who are currently in college.  We have two large dogs – a Lab/Shephard mix and a Great Pyrenees mix. I volunteer at the Appalachian Great Pyrenees Rescue and have been fostering shy dogs who need a lot of love and special attention.  We also have 5 cats, but I maintain I am a perfectly sane cat lady!

What type of law do you practice?

After moving back to Virginia after law school, I began a career as a trial and appellate attorney at the Richmond Public Defender’s Office. After about 14 years of criminal defense work, I transitioned to the Office of the Attorney General in the Health, Education, and Social Services Division where I represent the Division of Child Support Enforcement.

What have you enjoyed most about your time in MRWBA?

I have always enjoyed the continuing education seminars, the lunches with excellent and insightful speakers, and the opportunity to meet other lawyers, judges, and law students. The MRWBA recognizes leaders in the legal community and seeks to promote women in the legal field, which is very important to me.

What was your first job?

My dad owned a pet store, so I started working for him when I was 12. Working retail taught me a great deal about working with the public and serving the community and helped me develop a strong work ethic.

What book is currently on your bedside table?

I am reading The Miniscule Mansion of Myra Malone, a book written by a local attorney, Audrey Burges. 

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

Find a mentor! I am the first person in my family to go to college, so when I graduated from law school, I had no connections with lawyers and very little knowledge or experience with the legal profession. I learned very early on that I needed a mentor, and I was blessed to meet many attorneys who were willing to help me along the way. In my over 18 years of practice, I have never once met an attorney who was unwilling to answer a question or provide guidance when needed. Mentorship is the greatest gift we can give and receive as attorneys. As you become more experienced, you should also give back and pay it forward for other young lawyers who can benefit from your knowledge and experience. This is the way we continue to build a strong legal profession and community.