Thursday, November 20, 2025
1:15pm to 2:15pm
CLE Credit = 1 hour Ethics
Area of Law: Pro Bono and Ethics
First Floor Training Room at Norfolk Courthouse
Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members
Summary:
The CLE, Pro Bono Virginia, is designed to educate and encourage attorneys to aspire to and achieve higher and more noble standards of professional conduct than the minimum standards set forth in the Virginia rules of Professional Conduct. The presentation, devoted to Pro Bono, explores the What is Pro Bono, Why it is Important and How to Do it. More specifically, the program discusses the origination and evolution of Pro Bono Rules as well as what is considered pro bono under the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct. The reasons behind the need for pro bono are also discussed providing empirical data of the Virginia Courts and the current state of Access to Justice in Virginia. Finally, the material will provide attendees with numerous avenues to fulfill the voluntary rule for participation in pro bono activity.
Panelists: Lonnie (“Chip”) Nunley, Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, Nicole Harrell, Member, Kaufman & Canoles, P.C., Tricia Batson, Director of Pro Bono, Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia
Chip Nunley:
Chip’s practice focuses on representing clients before State and Federal Courts in complex civil litigation, and before the Virginia State Corporation Commission in regulatory matters. Chip practices in the firm's Richmond office. He has over 30 years’ experience representing individuals and small, medium and large-sized companies in State and Federal Courts in Virginia and across the country. He has handled cases involving environmental contamination, aircraft product liability, consumer products product liability, commercial disputes arising from contracts and leases, and business tort claims. Chip has also handled litigated matters, including rate cases and large-asset purchase applications, before the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
Chip is admitted to practice in the US District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, and the US Courts of Appeals for the Second and Fourth Circuits.
Nicole Harrell:
Nicole is a Member in the firm’s Norfolk office and Co-Chair of the Data Privacy and Security Practice Group. Nicole regularly assists clients with cyber preparedness and breach response. Her data privacy and security practice includes preparation of incident response plans and counseling clients on preparing for a cyber incident. Nicole helps clients understand their risks and plan accordingly. Once a cyber incident occurs, Nicole coordinates forensic analysis, media announcements, response plans and notifications. In addition, she works with clients on cyber insurance coverage and claims. Nicole regularly reviews and negotiates third-party vendor contracts for data security and privacy concerns.
Nicole’s intellectual property practice includes federal and state trademark registration, copyright registration and assignment, negotiation of software development and licensing agreements, and licensing of intellectual property. Her commercial practice includes entity formation, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and general contract negotiation. She also has experience in negotiating supply and distribution agreements. She regularly assists clients with alcoholic beverage licensing and regulatory matters in Virginia, including representation before the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
Nicole also represents franchisors in regulatory matters, including preparation of franchise disclosure documents, franchise agreements and related ancillary documents, registration and compliance. In addition, she represents franchisees in review of franchise disclosure documents, negotiation of franchise agreements and termination of franchise agreements and relationships.
Tricia Batson:
Tricia Batson is the Director of the Pro Bono & Private Attorney Involvement Program at Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (Legal Aid). Tricia started practicing law with Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia as a Staff Attorney in Norfolk and then as a staff attorney and managing attorney in the Hampton/Newport News office. For several years following, the military moved Tricia’s family outside of the Hampton Roads area where she continued to serve in numerous volunteer roles as well as a contributing author for Leading Practice Profiles for the Association of Corporate Counsel. She returned to the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia in 2020.
Tricia has served in numerous volunteer roles throughout her local communities and is active in several Hampton Roads Bar Associations. She received her undergraduate degree in Economics from DePauw University and her juris doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
Disclaimer
By registering for this Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association (NPBA) event or program you consent to being photographed, filmed and/or otherwise recorded at the event or program. By doing so, you grant to the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association (NPBA) rights to the release, publication or reproduction of any recorded media taken at the event or program of your appearance, voice or name for use by the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association (NPBA) and its management team.
