From the President

Dear MRWBA Friends,

Happy holidays; it’s the most wonderful time of year! It’s also a good time to slow down and refocus before the new year.  As you’re out shopping, online ordering, and looking toward 2026, consider grabbing the book Deep Work, by Cal Newton. In his book, Newton explains the concept of focusing, without distraction, on high value tasks that produce real results. Doing deep work in a noisy world, requires using rituals and routines, embracing boredom, quitting or limiting social media, and avoiding shallow tasks. In essence, Newton discusses how to create value in a distracted world. Please join us in January, as we read and discuss Deep Work in a virtual book club!

As we round out the first half of this year, I am reflecting on our bar association’s successes so far. Your executive board and committee chairs are working hard and producing results! Jackie facilitated 75+ strong mentorship pairings this fall and hosted a successful event at Blue Bee Cidery. Elizabeth organized a wonderfully warm mix and mingle at Blanchard’s Coffee in November, where we handed out bags with swag from many of our sponsors. Allison has lined up wonderful pro bono minute speakers and spearheaded a holiday gift drive for children in Henrico County’s foster care program. Melanie has kept our social media active and initiated member spotlights in our monthly newsletters. Laurel has exceeded our yearly sponsorship goal and is not done yet! 

Rachel and Ericka have created a dynamic panel of programs, which will include a virtual book club and wellness webinar in January and a negotiations workshop in February. Sam and Jennifer are putting together a fabulous legislative luncheon in April at the Dominion Club – stay tuned because we will have some new faces on the panel this year! Ariel created a spreadsheet of local awards so that we can promote one another’s successes – look for more details in 2026! Catherine and Jackie are working on two separate grants to set us up for financial success next year, and Angela keeps us on track with our budget! The year 2025 has been terrific, and 2026 will be even better!

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the holiday luncheon, and I hope after some rest and relaxation, we can gather again in the new year for our own version of “Deep Work.”

Cheers,
Katy

Katy Groover
2025-2026 MRWBA President

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January Webinar Scheduled: Taking Care of Yourself So You May Continue to Care for Others

Join us virtually on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. to reset, recharge, and build habits that support long-term resilience as MRWBA, the Richmond Bar Foundation, and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association co-host a webinar: Mindfulness for Well-Being: Taking Care of Yourself So You May Continue to Care for Others.

Discover practical, accessible mindfulness tools to reduce stress, improve focus, and support your overall well-being—both personally and professionally. This webinar introduces techniques you can use immediately, including:

• Settling and grounding practices
• “Take 5” sensory awareness
• What mindfulness really means
• Anchor breathing for concentration and anxiety management
• Meta and outward-thinking meditation for stressful situations
• Deep relaxation and stress-reduction strategies

The practice of law is emotionally demanding, and sustaining your ability to serve others begins with caring for yourself. This session is your reminder—and your permission—to prioritize you, so you can continue to show up fully for your clients. To register for this free webinar, email spotter@richmondbar.org.

Thanks to our Webinar Sponsors:

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Introducing MRWBA's Virtual Book Club: Deep Work by Cal Newport

Join us on January 15, 2026, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. for a dynamic and thought-provoking virtual book club as we dive into Deep Work by Cal Newport—a powerful exploration of focus, productivity, and the ability to do meaningful work in a distraction-filled world.

Together, we’ll explore the book’s core message and discuss how its strategies can strengthen both our professional practice and our personal well-being. This is a chance to connect with fellow women attorneys, share insights, and reflect on how intentional focus can help us thrive in every area of our lives.

Bring your thoughts, questions, and curiosity. We look forward to the conversation! There is no fee to participate, but we do ask that you register for the Virtual Book Club now so we know how many people to expect.

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Mentorship Update Hey there, MRWBA!  My name is Jackie Cipolla, and it’s truly an honor to serve as the Mentorship Chair this year. MRWBA is one of my favorite organizations, and I remember how awesome it was as a law student to connect with some incredibly talented women attorneys. It’s amazing to be on this side of the organization now, and thank you to everyone who came to the social at Blue Bee! It was such a joy to see everyone and to meet all of the law students.  Thank you so much to all of our incredible mentors for your time and talents. Wishing you and your families a wonderful holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you in 2026!

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Member Spotlight

Claire Stickley - Virginia Estate & Trust Law, PLC

What type of law do you practice?

I practice Trusts and Estates law. I focus my practice on estate planning, but I also assist clients with estate administration and trust administration.

How long have you been a member of MRWBA?  I was a member of RWL in law school until I graduated in 2022, and I continued on to become a member of MRWBA as soon as I started practicing law after law school. So, in total, six years!

What have you enjoyed most about your time in MRWBA? I love meeting and learning from women all across the legal field. It is a great space to network with attorneys who practice in very different areas than I do!

What do you like most about practicing law? What I like most about practicing law is getting to help people work through real-world problems. A lot of the issues I deal with include family matters, loss, and other sensitive situations. These topics can be really emotional and overwhelming. I appreciate being able to guide clients through those moments, help them find clarity, and make the process a little easier for them.

What is at the top of your bucket list? I would really like to get into the Polo Bar in New York City. I have tried (and failed) so many times to get a reservation. If anyone has a connection…let me know!

What is the one app on your phone you cannot live without? Unfortunately, TikTok.

What book is currently on your bedside table? Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

When I am not at the office, I like to ... Spend time with my nieces! They are 5, 3 and 1. We’re in a BIG princess phase.

 If I weren’t practicing law, I would be… a podcast host! Or maybe a late-night talk show host. Either way, the title would be: “Life, Claire-ified.” Please, no one steal that.

What advice would you give to someone who just passed the bar? First, take a moment to congratulate yourself. You’ve accomplished something amazing! Once you’ve caught your breath, my biggest piece of advice is to find a mentor.  Look for someone whose career and life you genuinely admire, because you’ll end up learning from both. Don’t take advice from someone whose life you wouldn’t want for yourself. The right mentor can help you grow, not just as a lawyer, but as a person.

Board Member Spotlight

Samantha Galina - Butler Curwood, Legislative Co-Chair

What type of law do you practice? 

Plaintiff’s Employment/Civil Rights

How long have you been a member of MRWBA? About five years (I think).

What have you enjoyed most about your time in MRWBA? I have met so many wonderful, brilliant, accomplished and cool women who practice in a wide array of practice areas! I work in a small office with four male attorneys, so getting to spend time with and learn from female lawyers has been an incredible and rewarding experience!

What do you like most about practicing law? I love that I get to represent everyday people who are facing some of the toughest moments in their lives. I feel so privileged that my clients trust me to help them get through a really challenging time. It may sound kind of corny, but when I resolve a case for a client and they tell me they feel like they have gotten the justice they deserve -- that really makes it all worth it for me.

What is at the top of your bucket list? My fiancée and I bought an abandoned elementary school a few years ago near Shenandoah National Park, and we have been turning it into a boutique hotel. It has been a labor of love, and I am so looking forward to completing the renovation and opening for business!

What is the one app on your phone you cannot live without? Pinterest – I am always redesigning something!

What book is currently on your bedside table? This Must be the Place by Maggie O’Farrell

When I am not at the office, I like to … garden. 

If I wasn’t practicing law, I would be… Running a florist/bakery/book shop with the best croissants in town!

What advice would you give to someone who just passed the bar? Lawyers love to chat, and there is nothing better than a coffee meeting to break up the afternoon! Reach out to lawyers who are doing interesting work and ask to get coffee with them; it is a great way to find your future employer and make new professional relationships. I am certain "almost" every (if not every) member of MRWBA would be happy to get a coffee and tell you about their practice.