From the President

Dear MRWBA Friends,

In October, we honor women through breast cancer awareness. The color pink is used to raise awareness, support those affected, and to encourage early detection with routine checkups that make a significant difference in the fight against breast cancer. Many of us have either had breast cancer, supported someone through the fight, or lost someone in the battle. 

As we honor women this month, please consider donating or volunteering with groups that support women and families through their breast cancer journey. One of those groups is CancerLINC. At our October luncheon, Julianne Duvall spoke about CancerLINC and the valuable work that they do in the Richmond community. They are a non-profit organization that LINC’s cancer patients and their families to legal, financial, and community resources to solve the non-medical obstacles that arise with a cancer diagnosis. Because no one should face cancer alone, I hope this month we will all honor women by doing something to support the fight against breast cancer.

Another way to honor women this month is to donate to our 51 for the Future Campaign. As we begin our 51st year, we’re celebrating the women who brought us here —  and investing in those who will lead us forward. Last year, your $50 donations helped us mark a major milestone. This year, we ask you to go one step further. Please consider donating $51 in honor of a woman who impacted your life or career. Who believed in you before you did? Who inspired you? Your gift will support programs that advance women’s leadership, equity, and opportunity. You’ll also have the chance to include a short tribute or story. We'll feature these dedications on a Wall of Inspiration on our website. 

As one of our colleagues put it at the October luncheon, in what sometimes feels like a profession filled with the “good ole’ boys,” the MRWBA serves as her “lady mafia.” We’re here for each other, we support one another, and we will continue to grow together. I look forward to seeing you at our November and December events!

Cheers,

Katy

Katy Groover
2025-2026 MRWBA President

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Member Spotlight

Sharon Carr

What type of law do you practice?

I am a Senior Assistant City Attorney in Richmond, where I represent the City of Richmond Police Department when they are named as defendants in civil lawsuits. I represent its interests in arbitrations for disciplinary appeals brought by officers found to have violated policy or contract disputes initiated by the police union. I also advise the Chief of Police, senior command staff, and the Department as a whole on a range of issues from employment and labor law, to FOIA law, to contract drafting and review.

How long have you been a member of MRWBA? One year.

What have you enjoyed most about your time in MRWBA? Having the opportunity to connect with women attorneys in areas that I would not have necessarily had the opportunity to connect with otherwise.

What do you like most about practicing law? Problem solving and effecting change. Each of the positions that I have held during my 14-year career has allowed me to make a true impact – whether it was securing a homicide conviction for a family who lost their loved one, finding those few lines in a several hundred page appeal record that allowed me to successfully defend a criminal conviction on appeal, or convincing the agency that I represent to recognize, accept, and mitigate the risks to their agency and the City as a whole.

What is at the top of your bucket list? Traveling to Europe and leisurely hopping the islands that line the Mediterranean Sea.

What is the one app on your phone you cannot live without?  Amazon Music. I love to create playlists for everything – for something as mundane as weekend chores and cooking Saturday breakfast, to events that I host at my home with my family and friends. Soundtracks make everything better and create associations each time you hear that song going forward.

What book is currently on your bedside table? 107 Days by Kamala Harris

When I am not at the office, I like to ... do so many things! Garden because it’s peaceful and reminds me of my late grandmother. Craft with my kids. Do home DIY projects with my husband. Cook for my family. Take walks to decompress. Listen to music. Plan family trips to create core memories.

 If I weren’t practicing law, I would be… either an interior designer or an event planner.

What advice would you give to someone who just passed the bar? Kindness and collegiality cost you nothing but pays immensely. Whether it is your supervisor, the courtroom deputy, the custodian, the court clerk, your paralegal, or the summer intern, treat them as you would want to be treated. You never know where you next referral will come from, when you will get called at the start of the docket instead of the end, or when someone will ask about you – and the person to whom you were kind, will in turn have kind words to say about you. And most importantly, in a stress-filled profession, it just makes you feel good.

Board Member Spotlight

Catherine Lemaster

What type of law do you practice? 

I’m a Senior Assistant Attorney General representing the Division of Child Support Enforcement. Before coming to the Attorney General’s Office, I was a public defender in the City of Richmond.

How long have you been a member of MRWBA? About five years.

What have you enjoyed most about your time in MRWBA? Building relationships with other women attorneys in the area and mentoring law students. MRWBA offers great CLEs and other programs like the Legislative Breakfast/Luncheon that I always enjoy attending.

What do you like most about practicing law? Helping people. Every single day of my law practice, I’ve been able to help someone in need. As a public interest attorney, I’ve dedicated my life to serving my community and I find this incredibly rewarding.

What is at the top of your bucket list? I'd love to see the Redwood Forest.

What  is the one app on your phone you cannot live without? The NY Times Games App. I can't live without the daily Crossword puzzle!

What book is currently on your bedside table? Because I’m always in the car or walking my dogs, I listen to a ton of podcasts and audiobooks. I love anything Michael Connelly!

When I am not at the office, I like to … spend time with my husband and college-aged daughter. I walk my three large dogs twice a day, rain or shine. My husband and I love ballroom dancing, local wineries, and game nights with friends. For "me time," I try to go to yoga class a couple times a week. 

If I wasn’t practicing law, I would be…walking dogs for a living!

What advice would you give to someone who just passed the bar?  Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I’ve never met a lawyer who wouldn’t sit down and give advice if asked. Lawyers love to mentor and help other lawyers. Every single young lawyer needs a mentor to help learn how to navigate the practice of law. Find a mentor, learn from your mentor, then pay it forward and mentor someone newer than yourself.