CowanGates Partner Melanie Friend Named “Young Lawyer of the Year”

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 20, 2013 - RICHMOND, Va. -- The Richmond Bar Association announced earlier this month that Melanie Friend, family law attorney at the Chesterfield-based firm CowanGates, has been named the Richmond Bar Association’s 2013 Young Lawyer of the Year. Presented annually, the award recognizes one young lawyer who has excelled in the practice of law and who has shown the potential to become a leader in the legal profession. Nominated by several colleagues, court personnel and clients, Friend will receive the award this Thursday, March 21st at the Richmond Bar Association’s monthly luncheon at the Omni Hotel.

“I am honored to receive this award from the Richmond Bar Association, especially considering the high caliber of young lawyers who belong to the organization,” said Friend. “From the senior attorneys at CowanGates and others who have served as mentors to me as I began practicing law, I have had the benefit of seeing examples of lawyers who made competence, concern for their clients, professionalism, and civility the foundation of very successful, fulfilling legal careers. I hope to do the same.”

Melanie Friend focuses her practice on divorce, child and spousal support, child custody and visitation, adoption and prenuptial agreements. She has completed the training required to guide clients through the collaborative divorce process, and is a member of the Collaborative Professionals of Richmond. Melanie is also qualified as a Guardian Ad Litem for children. Melanie obtained her law degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary, where she was a member of the Moot Court Team and earned Honors for excellence in research, writing and client relations. After completing a clerkship for the Honorable Timothy E. Meredith of the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, Melanie joined CowanGates in 2007 and was named Partner in October 2012.

About CowanGates

CowanGates is a full service law firm located in Chesterfield, Virginia, practicing personal injury, civil and criminal litigation, estate planning and taxation, family law, employment law, real estate law, and business and corporate law. The firm’s 12-member attorney team is experienced in serving litigation and business needs of individuals and small and large businesses.