Fairfax Bar Association Board of Directors Online Election

The Fairfax Bar Association Board of Directors online election begins Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 12:00 PM and ends Friday, June 11, 2021 at 4:00 PM. Only Regular and Honorary Members of the FBA are eligible to vote. In order to vote, Regular and Honorary Members must have a valid email address on file with the Fairfax Bar Association.

Eligible members may vote from any location providing Internet access. A computer will be made available at the FBA office, should any member need to vote at that location.

Each eligible voter will receive an email prior to the opening of the online election with login, username, and password information needed to vote. This email will also contain detailed information on the election process and the candidates. Candidate information can be found below and on the online election site once voting has commenced.

PLEASE NOTE: You must vote for as many candidates as there are openings.

In order for your ballot to be processed, you must cast:

• One (1) vote for FBA Vice-President (uncontested); and,
• Six (6) votes for the FBA Board of Directors.

NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you have questions regarding the online election, please contact the FBA office at 703-246-2740.

  

Candidate for FBA Vice-President

K. Leigh Taylor, Esq. Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC Biography Since 2003, Leigh has helped clients navigate domestic relations litigation, and, in 2019, she formed Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC with her two partners. Leigh has been actively involved with the Fairfax Bar Association (FBA) throughout her career. Prior to joining the Board in 2017, she served on many committees and continues to serve on the Circuit Court and Pro Bono Committees. She is currently the Treasurer, on the Budget Committee, and is appointed to the Fairfax County Council to End Domestic Violence and is co-chair of the Court Process Workgroup. Leigh frequently speaks at CLEs and seminars and is rated Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent.  Among her awards and honors, she has been selected as a Super Lawyer® and The Best Lawyers in America©, Family Law since 2020. She is a Silver Member of the Rule 6.1 Society of LSNV and past recipient of the FBA’s James Keith Public Service Award. Please state your FBA involvement, including committee work, programs, and project participation and initiative. Fairfax Bar Association Board of Directors, Member, 2017 – Present; Treasurer, 2020 – Present. Fairfax Bar Association Budget Committee, Member, 2020 – Present. Fairfax County Council to End Domestic Violence, Member appointed from FBA Board, 2019 – Present; Co-Chair, Court Process Workgroup, 2019 – Present. Circuit Court Committee, Member, 2007 – Present (FBA Board Liaison 2017 Present; Chair from 2015 –2017, Domestic Relations Sub-Committee Chair 2013 - 2015). Pro Bono Committee, Member, 2004 – Present (Chair from 2008 - 2013). Family Law Section, Member, 2007 – Present; FBA Board Liaison, 2017 – Present. Law Related Education Committee, Member, approx. 2004 – 2006. FBA Convention Committee, Member, 2007 – 2008. Recipient, Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award 2019. Recipient, James Keith Public Service Award 2013. Recipient, President’s Award 2007 and 2009. Conciliation Program Coordinator 1999 – 2001 (During Law School). If elected to the FBA Board, how would you respond to the question, “why should I join the FBA?” You should join the FBA not only for professional development but also personal growth. As a member of the FBA, you will enjoy unique access to the inner workings of the Fairfax County courts, meaningful interactions and networking opportunities with our judges and other members of the FBA, and the opportunity for further education and advocacy within the organization and outside community partners. FBA membership offers you the ability to work closely with other lawyers in a non-adversarial way as you are united in a joint cause to better the courts, to advocate for the public, and to educate and advocate for other members of the FBA.  I know for a fact that I am a better lawyer and a better person for having been a member of the FBA. I would gladly share my enthusiasm for this organization with any persons considering membership. What resources and talents will you share if elected to the FBA Board, and how? I think my greatest strength as a Board member is my willingness to work hard and give substantial time to any task that is assigned to me.  I do not take volunteerism lightly, and if I volunteer to do something, I will do my very best to achieve the objectives no matter how much time or hard work it may take.  As a partner with Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC, I donate to FBA events as well as provide my firm's sponsorship too. I volunteer for a few of the pro bono programs at the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center, have worked closely with Arlene Beckerman for years, and volunteer for the Attorney of the Day program with Legal Services of Northern Virginia.  I also enjoy connecting with my colleagues in the FBA membership/legal community, and I am happy to participate in community outreach within the court and through the various FBA functions hosted throughout each year.




Candidates for FBA Board of Directors

Wesley D. Allen, Esq. (Incumbent) Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP  Biography Wesley (Wes) Allen is Senior Counsel with Gordon & Rees, where he is a member of the Advertising & E-Commerce and Commercial Litigation practice groups. Wes joined the Fairfax Bar Association in 2008. He sat on the Board of its Young Lawyers Section from 2010 through 2013, during which time he served as a Co-Chair of the Stitt Cup Tournament and as a Philanthropy Co-Chair. He has since served on the FBA’s Convention Planning Committee. Wes currently sits as an Interim Director on the FBA’s Board of Directors. He has a genuine passion and commitment to give back to the FBA. He looks forward to the opportunity to ensure that its members continue to benefit from the resources it has to offer, and is enthused about potentially having a hand in developing new FBA resources to address other needs the Fairfax legal community identifies during his prospective tenure on the Board of Directors. Please state your FBA involvement, including committee work, programs, and project participation and initiative. Interim Director, Board of Directors (2021) Member, Convention Planning Committee (2018)  Director, Young Lawyers Section Board of Directors (2010-2013)   If elected to the FBA Board, how would you respond to the question, “why should I join the FBA?” The FBA has played such a pivotal role in my professional and personal life, I would strongly encourage any and all to join with the hope that they would similarly benefit. The Fairfax Bar Association's "FBA" acronym is perhaps more aptly reflected as "Fostering Better Attorneys."  For younger attorneys, it offers a wealth of professional development and networking opportunities. The FBA CLEs and social events I attended as a novice lawyer respectively equipped me with the foundational tools that have informed my legal practice and yielded close friendships that I've enjoyed for now over a decade. The FBA continues to benefit attorneys throughout their careers, offering learning opportunities that are catered to the more nuanced interests and needs of seasoned attorneys. In short, the question shouldn't be "why" one should join the FBA; it's "how soon" one can join--and start reaping the benefits.   What resources and talents will you share if elected to the FBA Board, and how? Given the endless and varying events the FBA offers to its members and surrounding community, if elected to the FBA Board, I particularly look forward to contributing my event planning skills. This includes creating an itinerary/run of show, negotiating vendor contracts, and budgeting/fundraising.

Emily C. Baker, Esq. (Incumbent) Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP Biography Emily Baker practices family law with the Virginia and Washington, DC offices of Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP. Emily works with clients to resolve complex issues related to separation and divorce, including child custody, support, and property distribution issues in Virginia and DC. As a trained Collaborative Law practitioner, she is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, the Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia, and the DC Academy of Collaborative Professionals. Emily is the Past President of the Young Lawyers Section. She clerked for two years for the Honorable Robert J. Smith and Bruce D. White of Fairfax County Circuit Court. Emily has been recognized by SuperLawyers as a Rising Star in both Virginia and Washington, D.C. and has been named in The Best Lawyers of America.  When she is not practicing law, Emily enjoys running, gardening, and hiking with her husband. Please state your FBA involvement, including committee work, programs, and project participation and initiative. I have been actively involved in the Fairfax Bar for over seven (7) years. I have been on the Young Lawyers Section board since 2014. I first served on the Young Lawyers Section board as the law clerk liaison, then as secretary, and finally was elected President for the 2019-2020 board year.  As President-Elect of the Young Lawyers Section, I served as a liaison with the Fairfax Law Foundation board for one year and, as the Past-President, I served as a liaison with the FBA Board this past year.  The Young Lawyers Section hosts numerous events each year for its members.  As President I worked with our board to organize these events and to ensure that they ran smoothly.  As President-Elect of the Young Lawyers Section, I was also involved with Color of Justice as the Young Lawyers Section was responsible for organizing it that particular year.  In addition to my work with the Young Lawyers Section, I have been on the Run for Justice 5k Committee for two years and have volunteered at the run for the past few years.    If elected to the FBA Board, how would you respond to the question, “why should I join the FBA?” The number one reason I tell anyone to join the FBA is for the relationships you will make in this organization.  I have met good personal friends and professional colleagues through the bar.  These relationships provide a robust referral network that both you and your client can rely on when other expertise is needed in a matter.  On a personal note, getting to know my fellow colleagues in the bar has made the practice of law more enjoyable.  What resources and talents will you share if elected to the FBA Board, and how? My recent experience with the Young Lawyers board would be an asset to the FBA board.  The FBA board is faced with the challenge of creating programming that appeals to both younger and older generations of attorneys. Coming up with successful and interesting events is vital as these shared experiences allow attorneys of all ages to meet and to develop relationships with mentors within the bar.  Additionally, I believe my connections with other bar organizations including the D.C. bar would provide a useful perspective and assist the FBA to build their relationship with other bar organizations in the region to further benefit our members.

Mary C. Huff, Esq. Blankingship & Keith, P.C. Biography Mary C. Huff primarily practices domestic relations in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland at Blankingship & Keith, P.C. Mary practices all areas of family law including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, modification actions, termination actions, appeals, protective orders, retirement orders, and drafting and negotiation of various agreements, including prenuptial agreements or premarital agreements. Mary is admitted to practice law in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. Continually recognized by her peers, Mary has been named a Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star and a D.C. Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2020, 2019, 2017 and 2016.  Mary is an active member of the Fairfax County Bar Association, currently serving as the Family Law Section Co-Chair and a moderator of continuing legal education seminars. Mary previously served as a Young Lawyers Section Director, the Fairfax Law Foundation 5K Race volunteer coordinator, 2019 Color of Justice Program chair, and Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center mentor. Please state your FBA involvement, including committee work, programs, and project participation and initiative. I am an active member of the Fairfax Bar Association, currently serving as the Family Law Section Co-Chair and a frequent planner and moderator of the FBA's continuing legal education seminars. I have served on the Judicial Screening Committee in recent past years and I accepted an invitation to join the 2021 FBA Convention Planning Committee. I previously served as a Director of the Young Lawyers Section, volunteer coordinator for the annual Fairfax Law Foundation 5K Race, chair of the 2019 Color of Justice Program, and as a mentor for the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center.  If elected to the FBA Board, how would you respond to the question, “why should I join the FBA?” There is a significant value of an FBA membership that far exceeds the cost. FBA members have unique access to information regarding the law and court procedures. Additionally, the FBA provides low-cost, high-quality programming and Continuing Legal Education seminars. Membership in the FBA is essential to vital participation in the local legal community.  What resources and talents will you share if elected to the FBA Board, and how? My strengths include organizational skills and the ability to scrutinize content of programming. Through various positions throughout the years, I have familiarity with how the FBA plans programming and I have learned about FBA budgeting from the Executive Director.

Matthew C. Perushek, Esq. (Incumbent) Frei, Mims & Perushek, L.L.P.    Biography Matt Perushek is partner at the firm Frei, Mims & Perushek, L.L.P. He practices in all areas of personal-injury law, including cases involving medical malpractice, products liability, premises liability, and automobile collisions. He has tried cases throughout the Northern Virginia courts. He has also argued before the Supreme Court of Virginia. Matt is on the Board of Directors of the Fairfax Bar Association. Matt is also on the Board of Governors of the Virginia State Bar’s Young Lawyers Conference; he will serve as President of the Conference beginning in 2023. Matt is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, and he has been recognized as a Best Lawyers Ones to Watch and as a Super Lawyers Rising Star. Please state your FBA involvement, including committee work, programs, and project participation and initiative. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Fairfax Bar Association. I have been on the Board since 2018, and I am seeking reelection as a Director. I have attended numerous FBA events, including Investitures, Annual Meetings, States of the Judiciary, Annual Conventions, CLEs, and Bench Bar Dinner Dances. I have served on the FBA’s Judicial Screening Committee and have spoken at a CLE. Before joining the Board, I was the President of the FBA’s Young Lawyers Section, and I helped organize and run the dozen or so events held by the Section each year. If elected to the FBA Board, how would you respond to the question, “why should I join the FBA?” The FBA offers its members a wealth of resources that they simply cannot get elsewhere. Developing a good reputation among the bench is important, and it starts with actually getting to know the bench, which can be difficult. But the Fairfax judges are incredibly involved with FBA events. They attend the Annual Convention, they speak at CLEs, they participate in special events like the Color of Justice program, they work closely with the Committees, and they attend social functions like the Bench Bar Dinner Dance and the Annual Golf Tournament. Membership in the FBA gives you direct access to the bench through these and a variety of other opportunities. It also gives you the opportunity to develop your relationship with fellow attorneys. Finally, the FBA gives you access to low-cost CLEs on a variety of different subject matters. What resources and talents will you share if elected to the FBA Board, and how? I am organized and detail-oriented, which are important qualities when running an organization as large as the FBA. Perhaps more importantly, when I decide to get involved, I throw myself all in.  I find it frustrating when someone volunteers for an organization but isn’t willing to put the time or effort into it. When I join an organization, it means that I am committed to attending the meetings, volunteering to accept tasks and lead events, recruiting others to assist with events, working to fundraise when needed, etc. I have always been a self-starter, which I believe lends well to leadership positions in a volunteer organization. In simple terms, I am willing to put in the necessary work to continue to be an effective Director of the FBA.

Ryan Rambudhan, Esq. S&R Law Firm Biography Ryan Rambudhan is a senior criminal defense attorney and partner at S&R Law Firm, PLLC. Based in Fairfax, he provides representation to clients throughout Northern Virginia. In his criminal defense practice, Ryan assists people who are facing serious felony, misdemeanor, or traffic charges. Ryan attended The George Washington University Law School and was the 2013 graduating class recipient of the American Bar Association Scholarship and Leadership award. Between 2016 and 2019, Ryan served as an adjunct professor at the George Washington Law School, where he shared his knowledge and experience by training first year students in legal writing and appellate oral advocacy. Current FBA Involvement: Ryan is a member of the General District, J&DR District, and Circuit Court Committees. He is also a member of the Fairfax Bar Association Judicial Screening Committee. Lastly, he is an Ombudsman for the GDC Judicial Feedback Program of the Fairfax Bar Association. Please state your FBA involvement, including committee work, programs, and project participation and initiative. I am a member of the General District Court, J&DR District Court, and Circuit Court Committees. As a member of the GDC Committee, I served as co-editor of the GDC Pre-Trial and Alternative Sentencing Programs manual. This manual provides practitioners with invaluable resources that their clients' can utilize to seek rehabilitative treatment and avoid incarceration. Currently, I am a member of the Judicial Screening Committee and have participated in multiple interviews for prospective judicial candidates. Additionally, I serve as an Ombudsman for the FBA General District Court Judicial Feedback Program.    If elected to the FBA Board, how would you respond to the question, “why should I join the FBA?” The FBA is an invaluable resource for both experienced and newly admitted members of the bar. When I was a new lawyer, I often felt intimidated stepping foot into Fairfax Courthouse: there are many large courtrooms occupied by seasoned practitioners, judges, and courthouse staff. After joining the FBA, much of my angst was alleviated; I was able to learn best practices by engaging with these very same lawyers, judges, and clerks at networking events hosted at local establishments (i.e. bars and restaurants!). Additionally, the FBA provides highly relevant CLEs at discounted rates. Almost always, these CLEs are presented by local practitioners, current, and retired Fairfax judges. In my experience, these CLEs are superior to those offered by any other bar association because they are narrowly tailored to those who practice in Northern Virginia. The FBA provides a sense of community which is comforting, especially during this trying time. There are virtual happy hours and social events to promote community which is always helpful. Most importantly, we have a lot of fun together! You will have the opportunity to participate in fundraisers such as 5Ks, golf tournaments, and even an annual "Bench Bar Dinner Dance"!  What resources and talents will you share if elected to the FBA Board, and how? Because I focus on traffic and criminal representation, I am in court almost every day. This provides me with the opportunity to observe dockets and engage with members of the Bar. I am aware of the unique issues that both judges and practitioners experience and am always eager to identify solutions and serve as a mediator. Additionally, my practice area allows me to appear regularly before the GDC, J&DR, and Circuit Courts.  I currently serve as Vice President of the Main Street Green Homeowners Association and have served on the board since 2014. Frequently, I address grievances which requires the interpretation of bylaws, rules, and regulations. Additionally, I am required to set the community's annual budget for operation and maintenance. Over the years, I have learned to become familiar with budget allocation and have been charged with the duty of making responsible, well-informed decisions.

	Theodora A. Stringham, Esq. Offit Kurman - Attorneys at Law Biography Theodora Stringham is a Principal Attorney with Offit Kurman – Attorneys at Law. She assists individuals, businesses, and organizations with growing successfully while minimizing liability. Focusing on real estate and personnel needs, Ms. Stringham executes sustainable plans for real estate development and employee matters. She provides comprehensive representation for everyday growth issues, including, but not limited to, re-zonings, site plan approvals, eminent domain/valuation concerns, employment discrimination, and disciplinary issues. Ms. Stringham's scope of representation ranges from identifying potential liability and providing counseling/trainings, all the way through representation at trial. Ms. Stringham currently serves in leadership roles for organizations including the Fairfax Bar Association Real Estate Practice Section and Northern Virginia Women Attorneys Association (NVWAA) Board of Directors.  She is committed to serving the community through pro bono and was named a 2019 “Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year” by the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center. Please state your FBA involvement, including committee work, programs, and project participation and initiative. I have served as Chair of the FBA's Real Estate Practice Section since 2017. In this capacity, I led the Section to develop programming (i.e. networking and informational events) aimed at bringing awareness and updates on Real Estate topics to the greater bar association. In addition to participating actively in the Real Estate Practice Section, I am regular volunteer attorney with the Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center and Legal Services of Northern Virginia. I've also attended several FBA-wide events.    If elected to the FBA Board, how would you respond to the question, “why should I join the FBA?” Joining the FBA is a great way to connect with other attorneys outside of the typical adversarial setting. It also provides an opportunity to stay current on a variety of legal topics. The FBA creates a community for attorneys and facilitates ways for attorneys to connect with the greater community at large. What resources and talents will you share if elected to the FBA Board, and how? I would bring my experience planning and executing events to benefit the greater FBA (i.e. my experience leading programming on behalf of the Real Estate Practice Section). This experience has allowed me to understand the FBA's structure in a way that would assist the Board in maintaining and developing beneficial programming for the membership.  I would also bring my experience working with the pro bono programs to the FBA Board.  My experience has provided insight on the needs of our community. I would share this feedback in an effort to increase the FBA's service to those in need.
	Elanna D. Weinstein, Esq. (Incumbent) The Myerson Law Group, P.C.  Biography Elanna Weinstein is a junior partner with The Myerson Law Group, P.C. She has been a member of the Fairfax Bar Association’s Board of Directors since 2018 and is seeking another term. Elanna has been very involved with the FBA since she joined in 2008. She has been on the Circuit Court Committee since 2009, has been a member of the Domestic Relations Subcommittee since 2012, and was a co-chair of that Subcommittee from 2017-2018. She assisted with revisions to the 2018 Fairfax County Circuit Court Manual and helped organize numerous CLEs. She also served as the vice-chair of the FBA'S Legislative Committee from 2014 through 2016 and the chair from 2016 through 2018. Elanna has been a member of the FBA’s Judicial Funding Task Force since 2014. She resides in Northern Virginia with her husband, two children, and rescue dog, Snoopy. Please state your FBA involvement, including committee work, programs, and project participation and initiative. I have been a member of the Fairfax Bar Association since 2008 and have been a member of the Board of Directors since 2018.  I have been on the Circuit Court Committee since 2009 and a member of the Domestic Relations Subcommittee since 2012. I was a co-chair of that Subcommittee from 2017-2018. I was vice-chair of the Legislative Committee from 2014 through 2016 and was chair of that committee from 2016 through 2018. I was on the Board of the Young Lawyers Section from 2010 through 2014.  I have also been a judicial funding liaison for the Circuit Court.   If elected to the FBA Board, how would you respond to the question, “why should I join the FBA?” My response to the question, "why should I join the FBA" is the FBA adds so much value to practice of law in Fairfax County. As a member of the FBA, you would be provided with the opportunity to network, make friends, meet Judges, get involved, and learn. The FBA has numerous activities, CLEs, and sections and committees that you can join. There is something for everyone.   What resources and talents will you share if elected to the FBA Board, and how? I will draw on my years of experience serving on the various committees and my time as a current member of the Board of Directors.  I am a cautious and methodical decision maker who is skilled at data collection and analysis, as well as problem solving. Working with others and being a team player are also among my strengths. The resources I will share include time and dedication. I have a large network of contacts due to my significant involvement with the FBA for almost thirteen years.