Dywona 'Dee' Vantree-Keller
I count motherhood as my greatest accomplishment, and I prefer the titles “Dance Mom,” “Cheer Mom“, and “Volleyball Mom” to “Esquire.” God has entrusted my husband and me with two amazing daughters, and I never wanted to miss a moment of the precious years of childhood. So for over twenty years, I was a Solo Practitioner operating as DVKLAW. I’ve made every awards assembly, science fair, sporting event, and recital, and I have never missed an opportunity to chaperone a field trip or to serve as “Room Mom” or ‘Team Mom.” Whew!
But now that my children are older, and I’m more of a “smother” than a “mother,” I've transitioned to public service. I joined the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia in August 2023, and I serve as the "Homeless Veterans Staff Attorney" in the Disability Rights and Homeless Outreach Unit (DRUHOP). I bring more than three decades of legal experience to the position.
In private practice, my primary practice areas were criminal defense and family law. I spent six years honing my trial skills as a prosecutor for the City of Hampton, and I am regarded as a specialist in juvenile criminal defense. I have served as Special Counsel for the Division of Child Support Enforcement, and I can help you navigate Virginia’s complex child support provisions and safeguard your financial future. I have been certified by the Virginia Supreme Court to serve as Guardian ad litem for children since 2002, so I am well equipped to assist you in highly contested custody cases. I have received hundreds of hours of training in child development and family dynamics and disfunction, and I can help you protect your children.
Virginia is not my first home. I was born in Louisiana ‘round da’ bayou. I was born at a time when people who looked like me lived on “our side” of the levy and went to “our” schools. There were men in fancy suits who would come and sit in the living room with my Papa. They talked about two things, changing the “rules” that kept us separated by that levy and my MaDear’s peach cobbler. That cobbler was legendary!
I think I was about four years old when I learned that those men in fancy suits were called “lawyers,” and they had to go to a place called “court” to change those “rules.” I remember them talking about a lawyer named Thurgood Marshall who became the first African American Justice to serve on the United States Supreme Court in 1967, the year that I was born. I suppose that’s why I’ve never wanted to be anything other than a lawyer.
When I’m not lawyerin’, I’m screaming all of the lyrics to my favorite songs at a live concert. Music is my Prozac! And when I’m not chasing pop stars, I’m planning my next trip to Disney World. I’ve served my community for more than thirty years as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I am a proud alumna of The Alma Mater of a Nation, The College of William and Mary, and I continue to support the Tribe as a Class Ambassador for the Class of 1989. And as a 1992 graduate of Tulane University Law School, I know what it means to miss New Orleans. Roll Wave!
And like every woman lucky enough to have been born in Louisiana, I love to cook. My peach cobbler is not as legendary as MaDear’s, but I fix a mean pot of gumbo!
Working exclusively with higher education entities, Lisa is more than involved in the industry – she is deeply committed to higher education. She represents the full range of higher education institutions, including private non-profit, public, healthcare-affiliated, religious, small privately-owned institutions and large publicly-traded school groups. From serving as an administrator at a small private college to her role as vice president for a large publicly-traded school system, Lisa’s multifarious background directly correlates to her passion and dedication to furthering the business and educational goals of clients. Her knowledge of this complex, niche industry provides pragmatic approaches and tangible solutions. Plus, her years of litigation experience allow her to make strategic decisions to mitigate risks for clients. Lisa’s extensive on-the-ground industry experience at large and small educational institutions allows her to: Provide strategic and comprehensive regulatory counseling to higher education institutions regarding compliance with accreditation requirements, rules governing federal student financial aid (Title IV) and state regulatory requirements. Represent higher education institutions in litigation before trial and appellate courts. Assist higher education institutions through the change of control process, including serving as regulatory counsel on mergers and acquisitions as well as organizational restructuring. Conduct internal investigations for colleges and universities on sensitive legal, regulatory, and governance matters. Assist institutions in preparing for accreditation visits and responding to accreditation actions, including adverse actions. Lisa broadens and shares her knowledge through involvement in education-related causes, such as serving on the board of directors of Donnelly College, NNPRFTC, Level Playing Field scholarship foundation, and the First Friday Club of Chicago. Industry Education Services Healthcare M&A, Joint Ventures and Other Transactions Healthcare Providers Higher Education HR Consultation & Training Recognition National Black Lawyers (NBL), Top 100, 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2009 Education J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law Public Law Review, Articles Editor B.A., Lake Forest College American Studies Honors in American Studies Honors on Senior Thesis Admissions Illinois U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit Professional Memberships and Certifications Black Women Lawyers’ Association Chicago Bar Association, Alliance for Women, Board of Directors, 2009 National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) Clerkship The Hon. Charles A. Shaw, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
Dennis Whitley, III, a life-long resident of Prince George’s County, Maryland, graduated from Rutgers School of Law, Newark, New Jersey in 1996, and is admitted to practice before the State and Federal Courts in the District of Columbia and the State of Maryland.
Mr. Whitley focuses his practice in the area of general civil and appellate litigation, administrative law, land use and zoning. He represents clients in complex administrative and constitutional matters relating to zoning violations, administrative appeals, landlord and tenant, breach of contract and personal injury matters, appearing regularly before state trial and appellate courts and administrative tribunals. Mr. Whitley’s extensive litigation experience includes being the sole or lead attorney handling jury and bench trials in both District and Circuit Courts throughout the State. He has also successfully participated in dozens of appeals in the Maryland appellate courts, appearing before both the Court of Appeals and the Court of Special Appeals.
Mr. Whitley is also involved in professional, civic and community activities in Prince George’s County and the State. He has served as a court-appointed trustee in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County and as a mediator in the District Court for Prince George’s County. He is an appointed member of the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission and serves on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Assembly for School-Based Healthcare, Inc. Mr. Whitley is also an active member of the Laurel community, currently serving as a member of the City of Laurel’s Greenbuild and Moderately Priced Dwelling Task Force. He is also previous member of the Board of Directors for the Ashford Homeowners’ Association and a current member of the Wellington Architectural Review Committee.
Mr. Whitley is an active member of the Maryland State Bar Association, the Prince George’s County Bar Association and the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association.
Bar Admissions
• Maryland
• District of Columbia
Education
• JD, Rutgers School of Law
• BA, Morgan State University
Giget C. Johnson graduated from Clark Atlanta University, located in Atlanta, Georgia, with both a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Science degree. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, located in Macon, Georgia. Admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 2002, Giget is authorized to practice law in both state and federal courts, at both trial and appellate levels. She is admitted to practice before the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia, the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia, the U.S. District Court in the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh and Sixth Circuits. Giget is a registered sports agent.
Clarence represents clients in a broad range of complex commercial, product liability, mass tort, and other high-stakes litigation in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the country. His extensive experience in numerous industries and legal disciplines has given him the perspective necessary to help clients identify their most pressing legal and business issues, develop and implement effective resolution strategies, and achieve their core goals. Among other sectors, Clarence has represented clients in the energy, financial services, manufacturing, and real estate industries. His clients also include municipalities, government entities, and not-for-profit organizations. Clarence has significant experience defending employers in disputes involving claims of discrimination, retaliation, and violations of noncompete agreements. He has represented financial services institutions in Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), and other regulatory compliance matters. He has also represented oil and gas companies in litigation and settlement negotiations alleging violations of federal and state environmental laws. In addition to serving as first-chair trial counsel, Clarence has served as lead attorney defending major class action claims and as a member of a national coordinating counsel team. Drawing on his experience as outside counsel and de facto in-house counsel, Clarence understands the priorities and pressures facing his clients and works closely with them to identify potential issues and prevent problems so that they can refocus attention and resources on their primary business objectives. In this context, Clarence regularly provides litigation-avoidance counsel and training, helping clients review labor and employment policies and handbooks, draft corporate bylaws, ensure effective board governance, and review employee, vendor, and other key contracts. A former adjunct professor at the Mississippi College School of Law, Clarence has taught classes on legal analysis and appellate advocacy. Before entering private practice, he served a clerkship with Chief Judge Henry T. Wingate of the US District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. Noteworthy AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell Mid-South Super Lawyers , Class Action/Mass Torts, Litigation (2013–2021), Top 50 “Super Lawyers” Mississippi (2018), “Rising Star,” Class Action/Mass Torts, Litigation (2012) Mississippi Bar Convention, Outstanding Young Lawyer Award (2016) Mississippi Business Journal , Top 50 Under 40 (2019), Leaders in Law (2018) Portico Jackson , Portico 10 (2016) Presentations "The Shark Whisperer - Dealing with Difficult Opposing Counsel," International Association of Defense Webinar, February 2, 2022 Memberships American Bar Association, Fellows of the ABA Capital Area Bar Association, president (2021–2022), vice president (2020–2021), secretary-treasurer (2019–2020), director (2017–2019) Central Mississippi Down Syndrome Society Board of Directors Century Club Charities Defense Research Institute International Association of Defense Counsel Jackson Young Lawyers, Athletic Committee (past chair), board member Leadership Jackson, Class of 2010–2011 Magnolia Bar Association, Membership (past chair) Mississippi Bar Association, Complaint Tribunal, Litigation Section (chair, 2018–2019), Ethics Committee, Young Lawyers Division (past director and chair, member of Mock Trial, Pro Bono, Disaster Relief (Central Region), Seminars, Nominating, Public Service and Strategic Planning committees) Mississippi Lawyer , editor Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors Phoenix Club of Jackson Rotary Club of Jackson University of Mississippi Alumni Association, Executive Committee 100 Black Men of Jackson