Election 2015 Candidate Statements: Denise Lunsford (Incumbent Candidate for Commonwealth’s Attorney)

Denise Lunsford

I began my legal career in 1990 after graduating from Washington and Lee School of Law. In August, 1990 I had the privilege of beginning work with Michie, Hamlett, Lowry, Rasmussen & Tweel (now MichieHamlett) in its commercial litigation department. In addition to my commercial work, I took court appointments in criminal matters. Through this work, I realized that I preferred criminal law to all other areas in the practice of law. In 1997, I opened my own firm, focusing almost exclusively on criminal defense. During this time I represented clients charged primarily with serious felony offenses up to and including capital murder.

In addition to the practice of law, I spent several years as an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia’s School of Law in the Criminal Defense Clinic teaching the court system and criminal defense to third year students. We continue the practice of fostering future leaders in the Albemarle County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office through UVa’s Prosecution Clinic and by hosting interns during winter and summer break. I have also very much enjoyed teaching others in our community about the criminal justice system through a class I teach during the fall. During my career, I have practiced in both State and Federal courts. I am a member of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar and have been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

I am proud to represent Albemarle County as a Board Member of important community organizations, including Drug Court, VASAP, and Crimestoppers. I have also volunteered my time with a federal initiative on Evidence-Based Sentencing Practices to help determine the effectiveness of our current sentencing guidelines and whether any changes can be made to improve the system.

Together with Richard Brewer, I am the proud parent of three children and we live in a wonderful neighborhood in Albemarle County. Over the years we have worked towards making our community a better place and teaching our children the importance of family and volunteerism. We have participated in community clean up days, collected donations for the SPCA and volunteered at the homeless shelter and on numerous community boards. I look forward to continuing to show our children the importance, value and joy of civic service.

I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3.