VLW names 2024’s Unsung Legal Heroes

Virginia Lawyers Weekly has sponsored awards programs recognizing top lawyers in the Old Dominion for years. We know that the lawyers don’t do it all themselves, so we looked a little more closely at what makes a law practice successful.

Lawyers will be the first to acknowledge that they are only as good as the team behind them. Support professionals at law firms work largely behind the scenes. Many stay at a law firm for decades, but they don’t always get the recognition that they deserve. We decided to change that with our Unsung Legal Heroes awards.

We seek to honor the law firm employees in several categories — from IT and operations to paralegals and marketing professionals — for their dedication, passion and hard work. We reached out to the Virginia legal community for nominations, and the response was enthusiastic. Honoree profiles will be featured in an upcoming special section.

Please join us in congratulating the Unsung Legal Heroes class of 2024.

• Annette Amendolia, Deputy Clerk, Alexandria J & DR District Court
• Aaron Barr, Firm Administrator, Marks & Harrison
• Molly Bell, Referral Coordinator, Blue Ridge Legal Services
• Michelle Boyd, Office Manager, Mullins, Harris, Jessee & Dotson
• Kelly Cook, Senior Paralegal, Westlake Legal Group
• Kori Flores, Legal Secretary, Byler Iaquinto Law
• Rachel Goodnight, Marketing Manager, Berenzweig Leonard
• Donna Groves, Manager of Billing, Woods Rogers
• Whitney Jennings, Paralegal, Spilman Thomas & Battle
• Jade Lawson, Intake Department Team Lead, Geoff McDonald & Associates
• Tammy Lynn, Paralegal, Monge & Associates
• Sandra Martin, Customer Service Representative, Fairfax Commissioner of Accounts
• Laura McMillan, Marketing Director, Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen
• Anne Menegalli, Program Administrator, Legal Aid Works
• Olivia Nazar, Paralegal, Bean Kinney & Korman
• Deirdre “Dee” Norman, Deputy Director of Communications and Editor, Virginia Lawyer Virginia State Bar
• Frosty Owen, Research and Information Services Director, Hunton Andrews Kurth
• Stephen Porter, Operations Manager, Hunton Andrews Kurth
• Natasha Ratliff, Practice Administrator/CFO, The Reliance Law Group
• Cindy Riveland, Legal Assistant, KPM LAW
• Kim Sharp, Customer Service Representative, Fairfax Commissioner of Accounts
• Tracey Staples, Deputy Clerk, Norfolk Circuit Court
• Alexandrea “Alex” Sumuel, Director of Operations, Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe
• Jeannine Viscardi, Trademark & Business Formation Paralegal, The Geller Law Group
• Jayne Winterkorn, Paralegal, Warrenton Public Defender’s Office