VADA Member Spotlight

This month’s spotlighted VADA member is Meghan Gosline of Hancock, Daniel & Johnson, PC, in Glen Allen.  Meghan is a graduate of Virginia Tech and George Mason University School of Law.  She currently serves as Chair of VADA’s Policy Coverage Section, following a year as Vice-Chair of the Section in 2024-25.  In addition, Meghan has been a frequent speaker at VADA seminars and workshops on topics germane to her areas of expertise.

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1.         Where were you born?

Takoma Park, Maryland.

2.         Tell us a little about yourself. Spouse? Children? Pets?

My husband, Arthur, and I have two kids: Grady (6) and Molly (5).  We also just adopted the sweetest 65-pound poodle mix, Donut!

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

Four years.

4.         What type of law do you practice?

Insurance coverage and insurance defense.

5.         What do you like most about practicing law?

Writing.  I appreciate having the time to be able to craft and deliver my argument in the most eloquent and persuasive way possible.

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

The members!  I love meeting and collaborating with other members at VADA and then getting to see them in action in the courtroom as opposing or co-counsel.  Getting to know your counterparts as humans first and finding common ground makes the adversarial process much less adversarial.

7.         What was the make and model of your first car?

1997 Dodge Intrepid, which, no joke, won me the senior superlative for “Worst Car.”

8.         What is your favorite travel spot?

Anywhere with walkable history.  I love to stay busy on vacations and always have a full itinerary.  Or Harry Potter World at Universal, of course.

9.         What movie or TV show can you watch over and over, no matter how many times you have seen it?

Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls, and Law and Order: SVU.

10.       What was your first job?

I was an usher at a concern venue – Nissan Pavilion (now Jiffy Lube Live).

11.       If you were to walk into my office, one of the first things you would notice would be …

All the Harry Potter merch.

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

Read, spend time with family, clean the house while listening to audiobooks.  (I don’t get much downtime.)

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

Coaching soccer.

14.       What is your favorite food and drink?

Reese’s Eggs and Starbucks cold brew.

15.       What do you consider to be your biggest professional accomplishment thus far?

I am incredibly proud of transitioning from the first part of my legal career in criminal prosecution to now practicing insurance coverage litigation and tort defense.  Learning entirely new substantive and procedural law has been challenging but rewarding.  Turns out I truly enjoy reading and interpreting insurance policies … .

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

Going to a knockout round World Cup game.

17.       What book is currently on your bedside table?

The Dresden Files (Book #2).

18.       What talent or skill do you wish you had?

Golf.

19.       What is your biggest pet peeve?

Receiving a reply email with my first name spelled wrong.  My signature block is right there!

20.       What do you know now about the practice of law that you wish you had known when you first passed the bar?

            Mastering the use of available resources is critical to your success, which includes mentors and networks as much as templates, books, and databases.