Writing
I came to law from writing, and I never stopped doing it.
I am a contributing writer for legal and general-interest publications. Most of what I write is about the courts, and about what happens to people inside them.
My path began as a writer. My own case taught me what happens when the story told about you is false. I was defamed anonymously online — later revealed to be two colleagues to whom I had always been kind. I used the law to unveil their identities and sued them. The case became Geloo v. Doe, and I went on to draft Andi’s Law, expanding protections for victims of online defamation. The story was told in the New York Times’ Women in the World.
That is why I write about the profession, not about myself — about wayward judges and unchecked power, about a young mother of five facing four charges over $29.31, about a colleague I call Charles. A file rarely tells the whole story. My work, in court and on the page, is to make sure the rest of it is heard.
The full list of op-eds, essays and interviews sits on the Articles page.
The courtroom does not always correct itself.
Most of my op-eds come out of something I watched happen in a courtroom. Writing about it is sometimes the only route there is to changing it.
One piece of it did change. Virginia law did not give victims of online defamation enough time to act, so I drafted the amendment. The statute now carries my name.
The full list of op-eds, essays and interviews sits on the Articles page.
Two of them.
A piece in Virginia Lawyer, and the New York Times Women in the World feature.
When Advocacy Met Empathy in Courtroom 1
Virginia Lawyer Magazine / Virginia State Bar
The story of Farishta, a young mother of five facing four charges over $29.31 and the threat of deportation away from her children. Her file said petit larceny; her story said something else. When the prosecutor heard it, all four charges were dropped. A tribute to public defenders, and to prosecutors willing to listen.
Women in the World: A Quest for Justice
The New York Times — Women in the World, by Asra Q. Nomani
I was defamed anonymously online — racial comments and false statements posted under usernames. I used the law to unveil who was behind them. They turned out to be two attorneys, colleagues to whom I had always been kind. I sued them. The case became Geloo v. Doe, and I drafted Andi’s Law, expanding protections for victims of online defamation and bullying.
Interviews and coverage.
Pieces where I was interviewed or quoted rather than writing the article myself.
- The New York Times, Women in the World
- Authority Magazine
- Virginia Mercury
- VPM
Bylines.
Op-eds and essays, mostly on judicial conduct, courtroom culture and what the profession costs the people in it.
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly
- Fairfax Times
- Richmond Times-Dispatch
- Patch
- Virginia State Bar, member articles
- Fairfax Independent News
- Washington Times
We are here to help you navigate this.
The first conversation is free. Plan for about 15 minutes — sometimes longer. My clock isn’t ticking while we’re talking.
Bring your summons and tell me what happened in your own words. I’m happy to keep answering your questions even after the consult, especially if you’re a nice person. My clients usually are.
And if I’m not the right fit for your case, I’ll tell you.