Deborah “Deb” Goodwin is a new associate attorney here at Akers & Cleator Law Group. Mrs. Goodwin was born and raised in New Kent, Virginia, and went on to complete her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology at the College of William and Mary, graduating magna cum laude. She completed her law degree at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law where she was an active member of the Black Law Students Association, a competitor with the William & Mary Law School National Trial Team, a writer for the Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice, and a worker in the Parents Engaged in Learning Equality Special Education Clinic. While in her third year of law school, her article entitled “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Shorter: An Analysis of Lenient Sentencing for Female Sex Offenders in the United States” was published in the Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice, one of the highest ranked law journals in the nation addressing contemporary social issues.

Mrs. Goodwin became a member of the Virginia State Bar in 2019 and has been with Akers & Cleator Law Group since. Mrs. Goodwin has gained significant recognition in her practice and was awarded the Marquis Who’s Who in America Among Female Lawyers in America for 2020-2021. Not only is Mrs. Goodwin passionate about the law, she is also very involved in her church, community, and other humanitarian ventures. She is on the board of directors for Wings of Refuge, Inc., is a member of the local Williamsburg chapter of A21, a global organization that combats human trafficking, and is a member of the Greater Peninsula Women’s Bar Association. Mrs. Goodwin also serves as a student mentor for William & Mary Law School’s Black Law Students Association.

Mrs. Goodwin’s passions and practice areas include family law, guardian ad litem practice, and special education law. Outside of practicing law, Mrs. Goodwin is passionate about singing and writing music, spending time with family, and debating the intricacies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe! With Mrs. Goodwin on your case, you can be sure that the attorney-client communication will exceed your standards and that she will fight to bring you justice.