MRWBA News Update            June 2026


Welcome New (& Returning) Members!

            • Melissa Hoy,
              Chesterfield General District Court

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            Not a Member of MRWBA?

            Join Now!

            Student memberships are complimentary!

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            Honor a Woman, Invest in the Future

            Thank you to all who supported the campaign to celebrate our 51st year through “51 for the Future.”

            Your gifts support a future grounded in equity, opportunity, and empowerment—and ensure that the impact of those who came before us continues to grow.

            See those honored on our Wall of Inspiration.

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            Member Social - Thursday, June 25

            Join MRWBA as we hold a Member Social on Thursday, June 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Brambly Park. This unique urban winery is located in the northwest corner of Scott's Addition neighborhood at 1708 Belleville Street in the heart of Richmond. There will be plenty of outdoor seating and parking available.

            Relax and enjoy each other's company as we welcome summer! Members are encouraged to bring a friend who is interested in learning more about our Metropolitan Richmond Women's Bar Association.

            There is no fee to attend this networking event, but advance registration is requested.  

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              Member Spotlight

              K. Gracie Elliott - Chesterfield Circuit Court

              What type of law do you practice?

              I am currently a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable M. Duncan Minton, Jr., in Chesterfield Circuit Court. When my clerkship ends this August, I will begin working for the Chesterfield County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office as an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney

              How long have you been a member of MRWBA?

              I joined MRWBA shortly after graduating law school from the University of Richmond in 2025!

              What have you enjoyed most about your time in MRWBA?

              I have enjoyed meeting women in different areas of practice that have really taken the time to invest in me. I also have enjoyed connecting with current law students and being a resource for them as a recent grad!

              What do you like most about practicing law? 

              That is yet to be determined.   But I have really enjoyed seeing all different types of law throughout my clerkship, as well as honing in on skills that will help me in my future practice.

              What is at the top of your bucket list?

              I love to travel and really am wanting to go back to Ireland. I hope to also go to Italy or Greece for the first time.

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

              Probably Spotify – music, audiobooks, and, of course, true crime podcasts.

              What book is currently on your bedside table?

              I am usually reading either a fantasy novel or a book about WWII… both are on my bedside table at the moment!

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

              try new local restaurants, needlepoint, read, and go hiking with my boyfriend and our dog!

              If I wasn’t practicing law, I would be…

              Tour director for a travel company.

               If I weren’t practicing law, I would be… 

              possibly working in marketing, or I could see myself working in higher education!

              What advice would you give to someone who just passed the bar?

              I have been telling my friends who are preparing to take the July exam to take time for themselves and just do NOTHING after the exam is over! I wish I would have had more of a gap between the exam and starting work to do just that. 


              Board Member Spotlight
               Rachel Yates - Yates Appellate Law


              What type of law do you practice?

              My firm exclusively does appeals in our state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

              How long have you been a member of MRWBA?

              I’ve been a member on-and-off since law school! But when I launched our firm in 2024, I joined the Board and it’s been a great way to jump in and reconnect.

              What have you enjoyed most about your time in MRWBA?

              Forging new friendships. It was wonderful to see old friends and colleagues, but it’s been especially fun to meet new people in different practice areas that I might not have known otherwise. I also get so much value from being with other women who are going through similar challenges, managing work, life, and stress.

                What do you like most about practicing law?

                I love how hard it is. I do appeals because they all present unique challenges. Sometimes it’s finding a good issue in a tough case; other times it’s how to make a complex legal issue more digestible. I also like the combination of oral and written advocacy.

                What is at the top of your bucket list?

                Writing a book someday!

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

                The app that minimizes my phone usage, called Clear. I was doing too much scrolling at the end of a long day and now I have built in time limitations.

                What book is currently on your bedside table?

                Atomic Habits. I do a business book club with some other lawyers, and this is our book this time. It’s amazing for those looking for a new book.

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

                have a nice glass of wine with friends, and I enjoy all of the sports practices and games for my two little boys.

                If I wasn’t practicing law, I would be…

                a history professor. I nearly got my PhD in history instead of attending law school. But I also joke that if I ever retire early, I would write a book. Doesn’t it sound dreamy? I could wake up with a cup of hot coffee and lock myself in a room with a nice window and write to my heart’s content without interruptions.

                What advice would you give to someone who just passed the bar?

                Try out different areas of law. Get mentorship from the best in the field. I’ve learned so much from the other outstanding lawyers in different practice areas. Go watch court. See what the good lawyers do or don’t do and how judges respond to them. And be brave—don’t be afraid of taking on challenges.


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