VADA Member Spotlight

This month’s spotlighted VADA member is Brian Ettari of Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman in Glen Allen.  Brian is a 2015 graduate of the College of Charleston and a 2021 graduate of the Campbell University School of Law.

1.         Where were you born?

I was born in Greenville, South Carolina, and I lived there until I went to college.

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

I met my wife, Meagan, in college, although we did not start dating until a few years after. We welcomed our first child in March, and we’ve loved every minute. Lily (an Australian Cattle Dog-mix and our first “child”) is still coming to terms with her new station in life.

3.         What type of law do you practice?

I primarily defend local-government entities and their employees in litigation. I found an interest in this area of law during a Constitutional Litigation class in law school.

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

I joined VADA about three years ago when I moved to Richmond and started at Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman.

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

The wealth of experience/knowledge and the willingness to share it with young attorneys have been invaluable for me.

6.         What book is currently on your bedside table?

My love of reading (like my dog) is also still coming to terms with its new station in life. I am slowly working my way through Robert H. Jackson: A Life in Judgment.

7.         What was your favorite subject in school?

Probably History.

8.         If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Fried chicken from Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack in Asheville, North Carolina.

9.         What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who are rude to employees in the service industry.

10.       What is your courtroom walk up music?

It’s probably a podcast.

11.       What is your favorite travel spot?

I loved Amsterdam. The food was great, there’s a lot of history, the city has a ton of parks, and the city is walkable/bikeable.

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

Perfecting a pizza-dough recipe.

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

I have two framed posters from farmers markets in Charleston. A friend of mine painted both.

14.       What is something even your friends probably don’t know about you?

My breakdancing career ended at the age of five when I gave up mastering a move that I invented.

15.       What is your favorite movie or TV quote?

I’ve seen About Time many, many times, so I think it qualifies as my favorite movie.

16.       What was your first job?

In high school, I worked in a warehouse assembling and packing point-of-sale systems for grocery stores.

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

… be with my family, cook, read, and attempt to have my dog return the frisbee more than twice.

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

… a writer or a chef.

19.       Who is the most interesting person you have ever met?

I worked at an outdoor store during and after college and met people who had been on or were planning incredible trips.

20.       What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Do something you enjoy.