Age: 27

Job: Trial attorney, Melone Hatley

At work: I focus on family law matters including divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, guardianship and adoption. I also cover transactional estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and advance directives. What I love most about my practice is the balance between fierce advocacy and deep empathy. My clients are often walking through some of the most difficult chapters of their lives, and I consider it both an honor and a responsibility to guide them through those seasons with clarity, strength and compassion.

Home and family: I live in the beautiful Riverview neighborhood of Norfolk with my husband, Kalub, and our golden retriever, Londyn. I grew up in Virginia and feel grateful to now serve families in the same region. My faith is at the center of our home and family life. Jesus is the foundation of who I am, how I love and how I serve.

Volunteer activities: I’m actively involved with Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads, the Hampton Roads Estate Planning Council and its Young Professionals Division, the Virginia Young Trial Lawyers Association, the Virginia Bar Association Young Professionals Section, the Virginia Beach Bar Association, the Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association and the Virginia Women Attorneys Association. I am a member of the James Kent American Inn of Court, and I coach mock trial teams, mentoring Regent University teams that have placed nationally. I also organize annual charitable drives like Covered in Care (winter blanket drive for pediatric cancer patients) and Colored in Care (summer coloring book drive for children in local hospitals). I also serve at church through women’s events, life groups and community outreach — spaces where I can pour back into others, just as so many people have poured into me.

Motivating factor: My faith; especially Micah 6:8, which calls us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly. This verse is more than a guiding principle, it’s the foundation of how I want to live and serve every single day. I am driven by the opportunity to bring hope into difficult situations and to walk alongside people, meeting them exactly where they are, when they need someone the most.

Advice to young people: My grandfather, who passed away this year, gave me advice that I carry with me every day: “Never underestimate yourself. Never let anyone tell you that you cannot do it.” His words remind me, and I hope they remind others, that resilience and belief in yourself can carry you through anything. On the other hand, my grandmother always said, “No guts, no glory.” That mantra has shaped me just as much, teaching me to leap when my instinct is to stand still, to be bold even when it feels scary.

Professional goal in five years: I hope to be in a leadership role mentoring younger attorneys and building a litigation team, while also investing in younger female attorneys who might not yet feel their importance in this profession. I also plan to expand my bar admissions into other states, continue growing my practice and deepen my commitment to leadership, mentorship, and service, both inside and outside the courtroom.

The one thing I’d change about Hampton Roads: To expand access to legal resources, especially for families who cannot afford them.

Region’s biggest asset: Without question, the people.

Downtime: I adore spending time with my family. Some of my happiest moments are the simplest ones: big family dinners, Sunday afternoons laughing with friends, and quiet evenings with my husband and Londyn. I love reading (I’m part of three book clubs), practicing hot yoga and moving my body, traveling and visiting local wineries. I recharge with lattes, long walks and late-night front-porch talks with my husband. I also run a charcuterie and events business, Honey & Home Boards, which reinvests all profit back into the community and has been featured in Lafayette River and Ghent magazines. 

What really gets under my skin: Disrespect and unkindness.

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