Just Virginia

In this episode of Just Virginia,  CEO Alison Martin  welcomes recently retired  Judge Penney S. Azcarate , whose 18 years on the bench culminated in her service as chief judge of the Fairfax County Circuit Court. Chief Judge Azcarate reflects on the experiences that shaped her path—from her service as a U.S. Marine Corps officer during Operation Desert Storm to her transition into law, trial prac...

Joining the pod today are two leaders whose mission-driven collaborations help keep Virginia at the forefront of the nation’s legal well-being movement: Hetal Challa, Wellness Coordinator for the Supreme Court's Virginia Lawyers Wellness Initiative, and Tim Carroll, Executive Director of the Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program.  Tune in for a heartening discussion about their work educa...

In an episode with as much warmth and shared wisdom as an actual mentorship session, the Honorable Tyneka L.D. Flythe and CEO Alison Martin explore how mentorship can promote wellness. Join them for an uplifting conversation on the importance of human connection in our age of algorithms, taking care of things “outside the briefcase,” and the generosity of a profession whose members are always pour...

The podcast welcomes two distinguished guests this week as Vice President of CLE Karl Doss hosts an engaging forum on EGAD VA­ -- the Virginia State Bar’s 2025 report on “Entry, Growth, and Distribution of Virginia Attorneys.” Joining us are former VSB President Chidi James, partner at Blankingship and Keith in Fairfax (and new VLF Fellow and Board member!), and Crista Gantz, Director of Access to...

Trevor S. Cox joins CEO Alison Martin for a delightful conversation about public service, appellate advocacy, and the pleasure of hard-copy books. Growing up in history-steeped Lexington, this Hunton litigator once considered becoming a historian until his senior thesis at Harvard—on Lincoln’s first attorney general—enticed him toward the law. He would go on to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court...

On the eve of Well-Being in Law Week, it may surprise you to hear our next guest,  psychologist Dr. Kelly Crace , holds that striving for work-life balance is counterproductive! The executive director of the Contemplative Sciences Center at the University of Virginia goes beyond platitudes with  Vice President of Marketing, Development, and Philanthropy Katie Arata  for a thoughtful look at flouri...

In this episode, we explore the changing landscape of lawyers’ professional independence and the ethical implications of evolving business structures in the legal profession. Our guest is Tom Spahn of McGuireWoods , a nationally recognized authority on legal ethics and attorney‑client privilege. A Class of 1998 Fellow, Tom has long helped the Virginia Law Foundation uphold the legal education pill...

Thomas Dunlap’s fascinating path to the law winds through acting and banking in New York, serving as a Recon Scout in the U.S. Army, earning an MBA and a masters in biotech, and starting a nanosciences company. The founding partner at Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig (a podcaster himself) joins Senior Director of Seminars, John Rotman, to discuss one of the hottest topics in the field of law: the black...

Christie Marra, director of housing advocacy at the Virginia Poverty Law Center, has devoted her whole career to making a more just Virginia. (In fact, she was recently inducted as a 2026 Virginia Law Foundation Fellow to celebrate those efforts!) Christie joins VP of CLE, Karl Doss, to share how her work in legal aid led her to statewide housing advocacy and explain why housing stability is centr...

Steve Noona   Stephen E. Noona, chair of litigation at Kaufman & Canoles, joins CEO Alison Martin for the inaugural episode of Just Virginia. The double Hoo from Tidewater credits his father with instilling the value of giving back (and his four sisters with honing his early argument and persuasive skills!). Steve’s passion for the VLF’s community and philanthropic work hasn’t abated since he...

Coming soon! Through biweekly episodes,  JUST VIRGINIA  brings you conversations with changemakers, legal leaders, and everyday advocates serving the Commonwealth and beyond. From recent developments to community-driven solutions, this podcast spotlights initiatives expanding access to justice and championing the Rule of Law and explores relevant topics to educate attorneys and the community at-la...