VADA Member Spotlight

This month’s spotlighted VADA member is Marty Conn of Moran Reeves & Conn PC in Richmond. Marty has served as the VADA’s DRI State Representative, as a Director, as the Chair of the Products Liability Committee, and also on the Annual Meeting Planning Committee for the 40th Anniversary in Richmond. He is the President of the law firm Moran Reeves Conn, has recently been elected to the Board of Directors for the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC), is the immediate past president of Richmond Little League, and serves on the volunteer Boards of Directors for Independent Radio Station WNRN and Willow Oaks Country Club. Well-respected by his peers, Marty was selected as a Leader in the Law in 2018, is a Virginia Super Law in Personal Injury Defense-Products, has been recognized by Best Lawyers®, Personal Injury Litigation–Defendants and is regularly included in the “Legal Elite” by Virginia Business Magazine. He resides in Richmond with his wife, Heather, and their three children.

1. Where were you born?

Newport News, Virginia

2. Spouse? Children? Pets?

Spouse: Heather (2001)

Children: Celia – 16 (Jr. at Maggie Walker Governor’s School); Julius – 15 (Fr. At The New Community School); Simon – 12 (7th grade at Richmond Montessori School)

Pet: Penny – Coton de Tulear (1 yr.)

3. What type of law do you practice?

Product Liability Defense; Toxic Tort Defense; General Civil Litigation

4. How long have you been a member of VADA?

20+ years

5. What have you enjoyed most about your time in VADA?

I’ve enjoyed the relationships and friendships I’ve made over the years with lawyers all over the state, including my contemporaries, more experienced lawyers and young lawyers. I’ve also appreciated the leadership opportunities made available to serve as a committee chair, annual meeting planner and on the Board.

6. What do you like most about practicing law?

I guess I’m just a “people person”, because my answer is the same as the above question. Between clients, other defense counsel and even opposing counsel, I cherish the relationships I’ve made with colleagues around the country. These friendships are important to my law practice, but extend more importantly, well beyond business.

7. Who is the most fascinating person you ever met?

Yogi Berra – I had a chance to talk about baseball bats with him about seven years ago in the Yankees Spring Training Clubhouse.

8. What is the last movie you saw in a theatre?

Avengers End Game – Does anyone know what that was about? My children tell me it was great! I’d rather see live music than a movie – I’ve got to dance.

9. If someone was to write a book about you, what would be the title?

He Really Cared About Me

10. What is at the top of your bucket list?

In the last year I’ve attended the Final Four, The Masters and the World Series – is there anything left?

11. What was your favorite subject in school?

Math – There are rules and correct answers and they make sense (it’s logical).

12. What was your first job?

Teaching tennis lessons to children, but my favorite job growing up was waiting tables.

13. When I am not at the office, I like to …

Coach my children’s sports teams, go to concerts, eat out, hit the gym – there’s no time for sleep with a law practice and three teenagers.

14. If I wasn’t practicing law, I would be …

College Basketball Coach

15. What is your favorite type of music?

Blues, funk, jazz and rock-n-roll (preferably all together). If you really want to know, listen to WNRN (streaming at www.wnrn.org). I just joined its Board of Directors last year.

16. What is your favorite travel spot?

New Orleans

17. What secret talent do you have that no one knows about?

I’m a sneaky good athlete. I can also cook.

18. What advice would you give someone who just passed the bar?

Be a citizen lawyer. Find ways to volunteer that you enjoy and build up your community(ies). That is where you will find fulfillment in your career and life.

19. What advice would you give to yourself at age 13?

You should have prepared harder for your Bar Mitzvah!