News Article

Ten Womble Carlyle attorneys have been honored by the firm for their service to their clients and communities. Attorneys honored are Sanjay Beri, Mike Cashman, Daniel Espensen, Lesley Fierst, Edward Griggs, Virginia Hoptman, Justice Burley Mitchell, Kim Stogner, John Sweeney and Georgi Yonuschot.

 

Sanjay Beri, Daniel Espensen and Lesley Fierst were honored for spearheading Project Thrive, a pro bono effort that helps qualified small business owners of limited economic means address the legal challenges involved in a new business venture and throughout a business’ life cycle – from forming a corporate entity to negotiating a lease. Through this program, Womble Carlyle lawyers provide eligible entrepreneurs and business owners with advice and resources, free of charge, to overcome legal roadblocks and to resolve business problems. Beri, Espensen and Fierst all practice in the firm’s Northern Virginia office.
 

Former N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Burley Mitchell was honored for exemplifying professionalism in every aspect of his life and career. He is Chair of the committee reviewing candidates for the U.S. Court of Appeals (4th Cir.), the U.S. District courts and U.S. Attorneys in North Carolina. He was the recipient of 2011 N.C. Bar Association Liberty Bell Award and was awarded the 2011 Red Torch Award by N.C. State University. He practices in Womble Carlyle’s Raleigh office.
 

Mike Cashman was recognized as a role model to other associates in the firm and for his contributions to the South Carolina Bar. Cashman chairs Womble Carlyle’s Associate Advisory Committee and is a member of the Entry-Level Recruiting and Pro Bono committees. He has been nominated to the South Carolina Ethics Advisory Committee by the South Carolina Bar President. Most recently, he became Chairman of the Upstate Fatherhood Coalition. Cashman practices in the firm’s Greenville, S.C., office.
 

Edward Griggs was recognized for his efforts to improve the quality of the legal profession. He is one of only 16 attorneys selected for the North Carolina Bar Association’s inaugural Leadership Academy which identifies and seeks to train young lawyers in the State to become great leaders. He also is President-Elect of the Ronald McDonald House of Winston-Salem. Griggs practices in Womble Carlyle’s Winston-Salem, N.C., office.
 

Virginia Hoptman was recognized for her outstanding contributions in the areas of pro bono service and diversity. In 2011, she devoted more than 300 hours in pro bono representation for a Fourth Circuit Appeals case where she had to file five different appellate briefs. Hoptman also is Vice Chair of Womble Carlyle’s Diversity Committee and has been an active volunteer with the Just the Beginning Foundation, which provides mentoring, clerkship and internship programs to aspiring minority attorneys and judges, from middle school to law school. She practices in Womble Carlyle’s Northern Virginia office.

 

Kim Stogner was honored for her service to the North Carolina Bar Association and civic organizations. Stogner serves on numerous NCBA committees, particularly those pertaining to Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law. She also is a Board Member of the United Way Foundation of Forsyth County, Crosby Scholars, Hospice Foundation and Winston-Salem Rotary Club. She practices in the firm’s Winston-Salem, N.C., office.

 

John Sweeney was honored for his work in the legal community and with DRI, The Voice of the Defense Bar. He recently was elected DRI Second Vice President and is Chair of the 2011 DRI Corporate Counsel Roundtable. Sweeney regularly represents pro bono clients and is a member of Womble Carlyle’s Pro Bono Committee. He practices in the firm’s Baltimore office.
 

Georgi Yonuschot was recognized for her many hours devoted the pro bono clients she serves as part of her highly active litigation practice. She volunteers with the YWCA of Forsyth County Youth Intervention Services and Forsyth County Teen Court. She is Chair Elect of Exchange SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) and President of the Board of the Montessori School of Winston-Salem. Yonuschot practices in the firm’s Winston-Salem, N.C., office.