Virginia Law Foundation

The Virginia Law Foundation has provided more than $30 million in grants to support projects throughout the Commonwealth that facilitate access to justice, promote the Rule of Law, and provide law-related education in support of these ideals.

The Virginia Law Foundation Podcast

Amplifying voices and values
that are shaping a more Just Virginia

Through biweekly episodes, JUST VIRGINIA brings you conversations with changemakers, legal leaders, and everyday advocates serving the Commonwealth and beyond.   

From recent developments to community-driven solutions, this podcast spotlights initiatives expanding access to justice and championing the Rule of Law and explores relevant topics to educate attorneys and the community at-large. Whether you’re a legal professional or a civic-minded listener, this show delivers engaging stories and insights on how real people—people like you—are working to create a more JUST VIRGINIA. 

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Episode 8: The Honorable Tyneka L.D. Flythe — The Richness of Mentorship
PodGuest26Flythe

In an episode with as much warmth and shared wisdom as an actual mentorship session, the Honorable Tyneka L.D. Flythe and CEO Alison Martin explore how mentorship can promote wellness. Join them for an uplifting conversation on the importance of human connection in our age of algorithms, taking care of things “outside the briefcase,” and the generosity of a profession whose members are always pouring into others. 

Judge Flythe’s advice for lawyers new and seasoned alike? Collect mentors. (Her earliest drove a pink sports car with custom plates and didn’t even know she was mentoring at the time!)

Beyond the Episode — Links and More

  • Get to know the Hon. Tyneka L.D. Flythe.*

  • Watch Justice William C. Mims’ keynote CLE from the Wellness Institute in May.
  • Check out the Women and the Law Institute on demand for more discussions on mentorship. 

  • Sign up to receive The Lighthouse, VJLAP’s periodic newsletter, and browse other wellness resources. 

*Judge Tyneka L.D. Flythe was appointed to the Newport News Circuit Court on April 1, 2021. She previously served as a judge for the Newport News General District Court from July 1, 2015, until March 31, 2021. Judge Flythe also serves as an adjunct professor at William and Mary Law School. Before her appointment as judge, she served her community as a Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney in the Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Before her legal career began, Judge Flythe worked as teacher and counselor for at-risk and special needs youth in the public and private sector. She earned her undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary and studied law at the University of Richmond School of Law.

Chidi James

The podcast welcomes two distinguished guests this week as Vice President of CLE Karl Doss hosts an engaging forum on EGAD VA­ — the Virginia State Bar’s 2025 report on “Entry, Growth, and Distribution of Virginia Attorneys.” Joining today are former VSB President Chidi James, partner at Blankingship and Keith in Fairfax (and new VLF Fellow and Board member!), and Crista Gantz, director of access to legal services for the VSB. Both served on the EGAD Committee and ably explore with us the Commonwealth’s critical legal-desert problem, counter myths around the Virginia bar exam, and illuminate other findings of this landmark report. 

Crista Ganz

Beyond the Episode — Links and More

* Virginia State Bar’s Access to Legal Services Director Crista Gantz develops, promotes, and coordinates the VSB’s pro bono and access to justice initiatives. She oversees the VSB Standing Committee on Access to Legal Services, a statewide access group focused on encouraging participation in pro bono and addressing issues concerning legal representation of individuals who cannot afford counsel or are otherwise underserved. She also staffs the bar’s EGAD VA Study Committee and serves as the state administrator for Virginia Free Legal Answers. 

Cris serves on the Virginia Access to Justice Commission, the VBA Pro Bono Council, and the GRBF Board of Directors. Prior to joining the VSB she worked as the client services attorney for the Richmond-based nonprofit CancerLINC where she managed the organization’s pro bono and legal services programs and supported the Medical Legal Partnership at VCU’s Massey Cancer Center. 

PodGuest26Cox

Trevor S. Cox joins CEO Alison Martin for a delightful conversation about public service, appellate advocacy, and the pleasure of hard-copy books. Growing up in history-steeped Lexington, this Hunton litigator once considered becoming a historian until his senior thesis at Harvard—on Lincoln’s first attorney general—enticed him toward the law. He would go on to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court (surprisingly a surreally intimate space!) and serve as former Acting Solicitor General of Virginia.  

Beyond the Episode — Links and More

PodGuest26Crace

On the eve of Well-Being in Law Week, it may surprise you to hear our next guest, psychologist Dr. Kelly Crace, holds that striving for work-life balance is counterproductive! The executive director of the Contemplative Sciences Center at the University of Virginia goes beyond platitudes with Vice President of Marketing, Development, and Philanthropy Katie Arata for a thoughtful look at flourishing through chronic too-muchness. Kelly’s fascinating research reframes stress as a function of caring and shows us that values trump fear every time. 

Beyond the Episode — Links and More

PodGuest26Spahn

In this episode, we explore the changing landscape of lawyers’ professional independence and the ethical implications of evolving business structures in the legal profession. Our guest is Tom Spahn of McGuireWoods, a nationally recognized authority on legal ethics and attorney‑client privilege. A Class of 1998 Fellow, Tom has long helped the Virginia Law Foundation uphold the legal education pillar of our mission, serving as both a Virginia CLE faculty member and a prolific author of our publications. 

Beyond the Episode — Links and More

PodGuest26Dunlap

Thomas Dunlap’s fascinating path to the law winds through acting and banking in New York, serving as a Recon Scout in the U.S. Army, earning an MBA and a masters in biotech, and starting a nanosciences company. The founding partner at Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig (a podcaster himself) joins Senior Director of Seminars John Rotman to discuss one of the hottest topics in the field of law: the black swan event that is AI. 

Beyond the Episode — Links and More

PodGuest26Marra

Christie Marra, director of housing advocacy at the Virginia Poverty Law Center, has devoted her whole career to making a more just Virginia. (In fact, she was recently inducted as a 2026 Virginia Law Foundation Fellow to celebrate those efforts!) Christie joins VP of CLE Karl Doss to share how her work in legal aid led her to statewide housing advocacy and explain why housing stability is central to access to justice. 

Beyond the Episode — Links and More

PodGuest26Noona

Stephen E. Noona, chair of litigation at Kaufman & Canoles, joins CEO Alison Martin for the inaugural episode of Just Virginia. The double Hoo from Tidewater credits his father with instilling in him the value of giving back (and his four sisters with honing his early argument and persuasive skills!). Steve’s passion for the VLF’s community and philanthropic work hasn’t abated since he completed his term as president, which makes him the perfect guest to kick off the pod!

Beyond the Episode — Links and More

Please note: The information provided on this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. It does not reflect the views of the Virginia Law Foundation, its Board of Directors, or its leadership and does not create an attorney-client relationship.