Blankingship & Keith, PC is pleased to announce that Melissa Little, a member of the firm’s education law and litigation group, has been selected as the co-recipient of The Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference R. Edwin Burnette, Jr. Young Lawyer of the Year Award for 2017. This award honors an outstanding young Virginia lawyer who has demonstrated dedicated service to the Young Lawyers Conference, the legal profession, and the community.

As announced by the Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference, Little was selected for this award based on her distinguished record of serving youth as evidenced by her time working for the Legal Aid Justice Center and representing students with disabilities in school disciplinary hearings, settlement negotiations, and appellate proceedings. She was also recognized for her current position as a commissioner for the City of Alexandria’s Children, Youth, and Families Collaborative Commission.

William B. Porter, Blankingship & Keith’s managing principal said, “It’s no surprise that Melissa has received this award in recognition for her professional accomplishments and dedicated service to the community. We congratulate her and are proud to have her as a member of our firm.”

An active member of the American Bar Association, Little currently serves on the Youth at Risk Advisory Committee and Chairs the Young Lawyers Division Minorities in the Profession Committee. As a result of her service, Little was selected as a Scholar for the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division, a highly competitive position awarded based on leadership qualities. She has also taken on several leadership roles within the Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference as well, including serving as a Representative for the 4^th District and chairing the Professional Development Conference for two consecutive years.

Blankingship & Keith, P.C. (www.blankingshipandkeith.com) is a regional law firm serving clients throughout Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth, with 32 lawyers in offices in Fairfax and Manassas.