Chidi James & Crista Gantz: VSB EGAD VA Report

Chidi James & Crista Gantz: VSB EGAD VA Report

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 us 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.      Beyond the Episode   * Get to know Chidi James [https://www.blankingshipandkeith.com/attorneys/chidi-i-james] and Crista Gantz*.  * EGAD Report   https://vsb.org/Site/Site/news/news-items/20251202-EGAD-report.aspx [https://vsb.org/Site/Site/news/news-items/20251202-EGAD-report.aspx]  * Know an outstanding colleague? Nominate them [https://virginialawfoundation.org/fellows/nominate-a-fellow/] for the VLF Fellows Class of 2027 by June 15!   https://virginialawfoundation.org/fellows/nominate-a-fellow/ [https://virginialawfoundation.org/fellows/nominate-a-fellow/]   * 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.  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. Listeners should not act or refrain from acting based on any information presented without seeking professional legal counsel specific to their individual circumstances. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of any information shared. This podcast may include references to laws and regulations that are subject to change. Always consult a qualified legal professional for advice tailored to your situation.

Trevor Cox

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  * Get to know Trevor Cox [https://www.hunton.com/people/trevor-cox]...and his memorable case before the U.S. Supreme Court: Collins vs. Commonwealth of Virginia [https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/584/16-1027/], 584 U.S. ___ 2018  * Inducted as a new VLF Fellow in 2026, Trevor serves as chair of Virginia CLE’s Publications subcommittee. Do you have the latest 2026 titles from Virginia CLE Publications [https://www.vacle.org/publications-information/]?  * Virginia history buffs, have we got the event for you this September! The Constitutional Law Institute [https://www.vacle.org/product/constitutional-law-institute-2026/] at George Washington's Mount Vernon.  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. Listeners should not act or refrain from acting based on any information presented without seeking professional legal counsel specific to their individual circumstances. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of any information shared. This podcast may include references to laws and regulations that are subject to change. Always consult a qualified legal professional for advice tailored to your situation.

Dr. Kelly Crace: Flourishing through Chronic Too-Muchness

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   * Get to know Dr. Kelly Crace [https://csc.virginia.edu/people/kelly-crace]  * Explore complimentary resources [https://csc.virginia.edu/resources] on contemplation, mindfulness, yoga, and general well-being available through the Contemplative Sciences Center  * Define wellness in your own terms by attending the Wellness Institute [https://www.vlfwellnessinstitute.org/] on May 4 at The Barns at Wolf Trap 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. Listeners should not act or refrain from acting based on any information presented without seeking professional legal counsel specific to their individual circumstances. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of any information shared. This podcast may include references to laws and regulations that are subject to change. Always consult a qualified legal professional for advice tailored to your situation.

Tom Spahn

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: * Get to know our distinguished guest, Tom Spahn [https://www.mcguirewoods.com/people/s/thomas-e-spahn/] * Join us in Charlottesville or virtually to learn from him at the May 27 Virginia CLE seminar, Ethical Marketing for the Modern Lawyer [https://www.vacle.org/product/ethical-marketing-for-the-modern-lawyer-5-27-2026/] * Be like Tom, and teach for Virginia CLE! Submit a program proposal at this link [https://www.vacle.org/teaching-for-virginia-cle/]. 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. Listeners should not act or refrain from acting based on any information presented without seeking professional legal counsel specific to their individual circumstances. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of any information shared. This podcast may include references to laws and regulations that are subject to change. Always consult a qualified legal professional for advice tailored to your situation.

Tom Dunlap: Artificial Intelligence

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  * Learn more [https://www.dbllawyers.com/professionals/thomas-dunlap/] about Tom’s work with Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig.  * Check out Tom’s show, the Black Letter Podcast. [https://www.dbllawyers.com/podcasts/]  * Want more on AI? Join us for Tom’s seminar The Essential Guide to AI in the Law Firm [https://www.vacle.org/product/the-essential-guide-to-ai-in-the-law-firm-4-8-2026/] with Virginia CLE, April 8. 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. Listeners should not act or refrain from acting based on any information presented without seeking professional legal counsel specific to their individual circumstances. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of any information shared. This podcast may include references to laws and regulations that are subject to change. Always consult a qualified legal professional for advice tailored to your situation.