VADA Member Spotlight

This month’s spotlighted VADA member is Michael Beverly of the Norfolk City Attorney’s Office.  Mike is a graduate of The College of William and Mary and the American University Washington College of Law.  He currently serves on the VADA’s Board of Directors.

1.         Where were you born?

Norfolk, Virginia.

2.         Spouse? Children? Pets?

I am married with two daughters (14 and 12 years old) and two black cats (17 and 4 years old).

3.         What type of law do you practice?

I practice civil litigation with a focus on public safety (police/fire/rescue).  I also advise all city departments on a variety of legal issues such as employment, contracts, and constitutional issues.

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

Since 2018.

5.         What do you like most about practicing law?

I like dealing with the wide variety of interesting factual scenarios that I am presented with on a daily basis, many of which are more compelling and interesting than blockbuster movies and TV shows.  Sometimes I wish I had kept a journal of all of the scenarios my clients have been involved with so I could publish a set of short stories with the names and identities changed to protect the innocent.

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

I have enjoyed the opportunity to interact with my peers on topics and issues that impact my practice on a regular basis and being able to get a perspective on issues that I may not have thought about on my own.

7.         If you could have dinner with anyone famous, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I would like to have dinner and a cigar with Michael Jordan.  I am a big sports fan and would really enjoy talking with him about what a day in the life was like for him in the 90’s versus today and just about what it is really like to live as Michael Jordan on a day to day basis.

8.         What is the one app on your phone you cannot live without?

YouTube (endless/mindless viewing content) and Candy Crush (endless/mindless gaming content).

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

I would really like to visit the pyramids of Giza in Egypt and the Great Wall of China.

10.       Do you have a favorite television or movie quote?

My favorite movie quote is from American History X:

“So I guess this is where I tell you what I learned—my conclusion, right?  Well, my conclusion is: Hate is baggage.  Life’s too short to be pissed off all the time.  It’s just not worth it.  Derek says it's always good to end a paper with a quote.  He says someone else has already said it best.  So if you can't top it, steal from them and go out strong.  So I picked a guy I thought you’d like.  ‘We are not enemies, but friends.  We must not be enemies.  Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.  The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.’”

Not a TV/movie quote, but another favorite is: “How do you know where I'm at when you haven't been where I've been?  Understand where I'm coming from?”— Cypress Hill

11.       What talent do you wish you had?

I wish I could sing.

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

… Watch football (college or pro (Los Angeles Rams)), NBA basketball (Boston Celtics), or baseball (Los Angeles Dodgers).

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

… A college or high school football coach.

14.       What would your courtroom walk-up music be?

My walk-up music would be “The Truth” by Beanie Sigel.

15.       Who is your real life superhero?

My real life superhero is my father.  He overcame being nearly killed and being partially paralyzed in 2009 in a hit and run while training for a half marathon at the age of 67.  Through his strength and perseverance, he was able gain back limited mobility and, most importantly, was able to learn to walk again. 

16.       What is your favorite travel spot?

Anywhere in the Caribbean or Mexico.

17.       What book is currently on your bedside table?

No books, but my iPad is always at my bedside.

18.       What is your favorite food and drink?

My favorite food is grilled chicken with penne and pesto sauce and parmesan cheese and Oreo or carrot cake cheesecake.  My favorite drink is an ice cold Yeungling.

19.       What was your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject in school was social studies.

20.       What is your definition of success?

My definition of success is giving maximum effort and letting the results speak for themselves.  There are so many unknown variables that impact the outcomes of everything that we do in life, whether personally or professionally, but the one variable that each of us has absolute complete control over is the amount of effort we give to various aspects of our lives.