From the President

Dear MRWBA family,

I am honored to serve you this year as president.  For those of you who don’t know me, I work as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in the City of Richmond, where I have served as a criminal prosecutor for the last 10 years.  Before attending law school, I was a high-school government and history teacher in Jacksonville, Florida, through the Teach for America Program.  For fun, I have worked the same retail job for 19 years at a local women’s boutique.  I also teach as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Richmond, School of Law.  My husband and I live in the City of Richmond with our beautiful, kind, and very assertive three-year-old daughter. 

I joined MRWBA as a law student at the University of Richmond and received the benefit of our successful mentorship program.  I quickly took on leadership roles, serving as the mentorship chair, sponsorship chair, secretary, vice-president, president-elect, and now president. 

Two weeks ago, the executive board and committee chairs joined together to plan for the year ahead.  We’re focused on financial stability, increasing sponsorship, growing membership, promoting one another through referrals and award nominations, expanding our presence in the community and online, and finding new ways to make our organization meaningful for members of all ages, at all stages of your career.  The programs calendar is being finalized and it is going to be an exciting year!       

As we’re gearing up for the fall, kids going back to school, and managing all that comes with busy schedules, I am mindful of a show I’ve been re-watching lately.  Scandal is about D.C.’s “fixer,” Olivia Pope, played by the talented Kerry Washington.  Olivia Pope deals with crisis after crisis at work and in her personal life, but she always finds a way to save the day.  Her team call themselves, “Gladiators in Suits.”  I’ve realized that as women lawyers, we are gladiators in suits.  We manage busy careers, meet strict deadlines, fix the problems around us, take care of our families, ensure everyone is safe and loved – all while trying to maintain our own mental health and physical health. 

As we forge ahead to a new bar year, I am looking forward to managing it all with you – the strongest team of gladiators in suits that I know.      

Cheers,

Katy

Katy Groover
2025-2026 MRWBA President

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Registration is already open for some of these events, and details will be added as they are confirmed.

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Member Spotlight

Andrea Hart

What type of law do you practice? I serve as associate counsel at Commonwealth Savers (formerly Virginia529), an independent state agency. Being in-house means I work on issues ranging from estate matters to information security, all while ensuring the agency complies with the evolving requirements from the General Assembly.

How long have you been a member of MRWBA? I participated in the mentoring program as a student at UR Law and rejoined MRWBA as an attorney member in 2021.

What have you enjoyed most about your time in MRWBA? I’ve enjoyed seeing so many familiar faces over the years, and becoming familiar with more and more members!

What do you like most about practicing law? I like how I and other lawyers can “plug-in” where the need arises, such as policy or business matters, in addition to purely legal ones.

What is at the top of your bucket list? Call me a typical millennial but…homeownership!

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

What book is currently on your bedside table? James by Percival Everett (if you know, you know!)

When I am not at the office, I like to … Cook, do yoga, and explore Richmond’s trails with my husband and dogs.

If I weren’t practicing law, I would be… Somewhere else in the policy/government world.

What advice would you give to someone who just passed the bar? Make sure you take a moment, or more, to give yourself some praise—you did it! This is not the time to proceed directly on to the next challenge, it’s a time to really feel the satisfaction that comes with such an accomplishment. I’m still very proud of myself for passing the bar 10 years ago.

Board Member Spotlight

Rebecca Imholt, Secretary/Vice President

What type of law do you practice? I practice family law, which includes divorce, custody, visitation, support, premarital agreements and adoptions. I also so some basic estate planning and am a guardian ad litem for children.

How long have you been a member of MRWBA? I have been a member since 2019.

What have you enjoyed most about your time in MRWBA? I enjoy meeting new people and catching up with old friends. Work and life get so busy that sometimes our meetings are my best chance to talk to people I don’t get to see often and learn what is going on in their lives.  

What do you like most about practicing law? Helping my clients and making sure they feel heard and understood, whether they are in the midst of a difficult divorce, parents who want to adopt a child, or they are kids trying to figure out how to voice their needs.

What is at the top of your bucket list? Top of my bucket list is to travel- anywhere and everywhere. I’d really like to go to Germany and see the Neuschwanstein Castle.

What is the one app on your phone you cannot live without? My audible app- its where I listen to podcasts and audiobooks.

What book is currently on your bedside table? None, because I just finished the book “A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping” by Sangu Mandanna and am currently looking for my next read.

When I am not at the office, I like to … spend time with my beautiful daughters, Ellie and Cassie, as well as my husband and the rest of my family, preferably doing something fun like going to see a movie, going to the zoo, or just playing in the park.

If I wasn’t practicing law, I would be… the owner of a cake and cocktail spot that specializes in pairing interesting and unique desserts with fantastic cocktails.

What advice would you give to someone who just passed the bar? Ask the question. You are not supposed to know how to do everything at the beginning of practicing law (or even after years of practice) and most attorneys are happy to give advice or talk through a case but can’t help you if you don’t ask.

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MRWBA Seeks Sponsors

MRWBA’s events are possible thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. These sponsorships provide an opportunity to promote your brand to a demographic of well-educated, professional women with an average salary of more than $100,000 per year.

Secure your sponsorship now! Email admin@mrwba.org for details.

$50 for 50 Years Update

Thank you to all of our donors, who helped us raise over $3,000 last year! Our donors' generosity is paving the way for MRWBA to continue its 50 year mission of empowering women lawyers and advocating for equality and inclusion in the legal profession.

Together, we can continue fostering professional growth, nurturing future leaders, and advancing equality in the legal field.

Details will be coming soon on our 2025-26 campaign, 51 for the Future.