VADA Member Spotlight

This month’s spotlighted VADA member is Chris Dadak of Guynn Waddell, P.C., in Salem.  Chris is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and the University of Richmond School of Law.  He has served as Chair and Vice-Chair of VADA’s Products & Toxic Torts Section, as a member of VADA’s Board of Directors, and, most recently, as VADA’s Southwest Regional Director.

 

1.         Where were you born?

My parents were immigrants so a bit of a cliché, in New York City.

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

Married to Kacy, a pediatric nurse, and we just recently celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary.  It would have been five but COVID delayed our wedding for a year.  We have an 18-month old son, Bennett, who definitely keeps us on our toes.  He has an older dog “brother”, Hank: a six-year-old Cockapoo, who still tries to rule the house.

3.         What type of law do you practice?

Local government with a focus on the litigation side of things.  I defend municipalities, constitutional officers, and their employees in everything they can be sued for – car accidents, slip and falls, employment issues, FOIA, land use, Constitutional violations, law enforcement issues, etc.  It is a wide gamut of litigation defense.

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

As long as I can remember being a lawyer.  I believe I joined within my first year of practice in 2013.

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

The CLEs are excellent, but I most enjoy the camaraderie and friendships I have made throughout the Commonwealth. 

6.         What made you decide to become an attorney?

It is getting harder and harder to remember as I’ve always wanted to be one. Growing up I loved John Grisham books and movies, all types of crime and legal thrillers, and, the worst reason of all, I apparently enjoyed arguing, I mean debating, with my family.

7.         What was the make and model of your first car?

Honda Civic del Sol.  A two-seat convertible.  I still miss it on those summer nights.

8.         What is your favorite travel spot?

Colorado.  I’ve loved travelling there in my spare time, but I also deposed an expert in Colorado for a case and I got to ski at A Basin in June.  That was the best collision of those two worlds for me.

9.         What is your favorite movie or television quote?

“King Kong ain’t got s*** on me” – Training Day (Denzel’s delivery is pretty key).

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

Cage diving with Great White sharks in South Africa.

11.       What is your courtroom walk up music?

This is a much harder question than it seems.  I would say “The Bull” by Kip Moore because both the entire song and the usual 10-20 second clip would work.

12.       What is something you have tried that you will never try again?

Lutefisk, which “is a traditional Scandinavian dish made from dried cod that is rehydrated in lye (sodium hydroxide) before being cooked” (courtesy of Google AI).  While admittedly better than I expected, that was a culinary adventure I do not need to revisit.

13.       In what section of a bookstore is someone most likely to find you?

I should not admit this, but the new/best seller list because I’m easily guided by popularity and lists or recommendations.

14.       What was your first job?

I worked at a local restaurant: Macado’s.  Started as a line cook and before I left I had been a line cook, busser/host, and server.  I think everyone should work in the service industry for at least some period of their life.

15.       If you were to visit my office, one of the first things you would notice would be … 

As an officer of the court, I feel compelled to admit that the first thing you’d notice would be that it is not the most organized/minimalist office you have seen.  It needs a bit of Marie Kondo help in there.  I console myself with those random online quotes that a cluttered desk is some sure sign of genius.

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

This answer reflects the current season of my life with a young child.  We just had a covered deck added and our son has been obsessed jumping on the outdoor furniture, using me as a jungle gym, and being active in our backyard.  I am really enjoying spending this time with him and seeing his personality start to develop.  It helps that for now he really likes it when I shoot the basketball.

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

A ski instructor out west and right about now it would probably be catching up to me.

18.       What is your favorite food and drink?

I could eat pasta every day.  Add a good, bold Cab or red blend and I’m more than happy.

19.       What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who are inconsiderate and give no thought to how their actions affect others.

20.       What advice would you give someone just starting the practice of law?

Focus the first couple years on just figuring out your priorities and how to do the job.  Join a professional organization, the VADA for example if you do civil defense.  You cannot beat the practical education and connections you make.  But also join or volunteer for an organization that you are passionate about that is not tied to the practice of law.  We all need things that recharge us and fulfill our sense of purpose.