I was raised in Richmond, Va and graduated from Huguenot High School. I went on to further my education at Virginia State University and graduated with honors and a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. After a lengthy employment at Westvaco packaging company, I decided to revisit my love for progress regarding the education and positive socialization of children. I started teaching in Richmond Public School system in 2001 and taught on all levels of exceptional education over a 5-year span. In 2006, I transitioned to Richmond Behavioral Health Authority to utilize my knowledge and experience of meeting the needs of our youth in a therapeutic capacity. As of today, I served as Lead Counselor for RBHA in several RPS schools for 15 years (and counting). I’ve served as a volunteer coach/mentor in Richmond Parks and Recreation for 10 years (and counting). I am also currently the Executive Director of the Broken Men Foundation Youth Academy; as I continue to address the needs in our community with a concentration on reinforcing positive social skills and behaviors in boys.

Keith Adams , a small town native of Emporia, VA. with 20 years of automotive aura. I've always been a big dreamer and set even bigger goals. At the age of 10 years old I was asked by my barber Mason what did I want to do when I get older my answer was sell cars. At age 18 I entered the automotive industry as a sales consultant, at age 24 I received a role in management and worked my way up to GSM at one of the number one Honda dealerships in Virginia and set records at this location. Building relationships with customers is my most desired task because it allows me to service generations and we become family.

James Fobbs Jr. is the Founder/President of Fobbs Quality Signs, LLC. Most recently nominated as The City of Richmond’s Minority Business of the Year receiving Honorable Mention by the Metropolitan Business League after only one year in business. With more than 27 years of experience in the traffic control industry, Fobbs has successfully received several certifications. They include Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, SWAM, MICRO Certifications as well as being a Certified vendor in the state of South Carolina. An enthusiastic and driven professional, Fobbs has successfully expanded his business with VDOT, numerous Colleges and Universities, Military Bases, local companies and various cities, towns and counties within the state of Virginia. Currently James lives in Chesterfield County with his wife, Tonya Fobbs and two children James III and Leah and he is an ordained Minister. His current community service includes Community Outreach Liaison of the Broken Men’s Foundation, Mentor at the Boys and Girls Club of Bainbridge, Volunteer at Safe Haven Homeless Shelter and Potluck for the Homeless as well as a Volunteer Bible Study Teacher at the Laurels of Bon Air Nursing Home. James is an avid sportsman and enjoys spending quality time with his family. As a member of the Metropolitan Business League he has been able to build valuable relationships and gain knowledge that has allowed the business to thrive. He looks forward to continued success and is truly grateful.

Joe Lajoie is the owner and founder of River City Wood Fire, an award-winning mobile wood-fired pizza catering business. Joe is a serial entrepreneur with a deep understanding of the benefits of networking and alternative learning styles. Once he discovered that working for others was not the game for him, he founded multiple successful small businesses before finally pursuing his true passion: good times and great pizza. Joe’s philanthropic focus includes mentoring and networking with other entrepreneurs, animal rescue, and giving back to his community through acts of gratitude (which usually involve food). Joe is happiest when he can help others realize their dreams. When he isn’t coordinating the operations of his two wood-fired food trucks, Joe spends his time cheering on the VCU Rams basketball team, reading and adding to his library of cookbooks, listening to the hip hop and metal bands of his youth, and experimenting in the kitchen to create new recipes. Joe resides with his wife, Carol Anne, their two rescued dogs, and a flock of highly entertaining backyard chickens in Chesterfield. He has requested that his tombstone read “Certified Hustler.”

Courtney Leigh Winston has a decade’s worth of trial experience. She has tried dozens of cases in general district and circuit courts and has represented clients in criminal and civil trials. Her wide breadth of legal knowledge allows Courtney to talk to her clients about the implications of our justice system. Courtney got her first taste of the courtroom while working at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, where she represented clients in unemployment and landlord-tenant disputes. From there, she transitioned to criminal defense and worked alongside David P. Baugh. In her previous work as a criminal defense attorney and in her current work as a civil plaintiff’s attorney, Courtney dedicates her career to representing people when the odds are stacked against them. At Allen & Allen, she prides herself on giving a voice to the voiceless and is the fearless advocate that her clients need. Clients describe Courtney as responsive, compassionate, and willing to go the extra mile. Her personal injury cases have reached six-figure settlements and verdicts. She makes it a point to be the most prepared person in the courtroom and enjoys “nerding out” about legal nuances. Courtney’s practice includes motor vehicle crash, premises liability, wrongful death, dog bites, pedestrian, and sexual abuse cases. She is currently the Editor of the Allen & Allen blog. Courtney enjoys practicing yoga and is a certified Bikram yoga instructor. In her spare time, she learns about new places and cultures through travel and food and is particularly fond of the Caribbean. She is married to the restaurant industry (her husband owns a brewery) and takes full advantage of the Richmond dining and arts scene. Courtney speaks Spanish. She had a destination wedding in Mexico and travels back to Isla Mujures as often as she can.

Former state and federal prosecutor David Lassiter, Jr. works directly with each client through all phases of the criminal process. His nineteen (19) years of criminal experience range from DUI and other serious traffic matters to capital murder charges throughout the State of Virginia. In 1993, I came to the realization that as a United States Citizen, I was unfamiliar with my own basic Constitutional Rights. I felt at a disadvantage. I did not like that feeling. At that moment, I knew I wanted to become a criminal defense attorney. Second, I pledged to educate as many people as I could about their own rights. I tell potential clients all of the time that once you have found an experienced, knowledgeable attorney, the next important step is to find counsel you can trust and that makes you feel comfortable and secure.