VADA Member Spotlight

This month’s spotlighted VADA member is Melissa Hamann, a Deputy City Attorney with the Chesapeake City Attorney’s Office.  Melissa is the current Vice-Chair of VADA’s Local Government Section.  She is a graduate of the University of San Diego and The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

1.         Where were you born?

Jacksonville, North Carolina, at Marine Corps Air Station New River.  I was a Marine Corps brat.

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

My husband John and I have been married for 16 years and we have three beautiful children: Audrey (11), Jack (9), and Joey (5).  Our Australian Labradoodle, Brumby, completes the family. 

3.         What type of law do you practice?

When I was in private practice, I specialized in employment law.  Now, as a member of the Chesapeake City Attorney’s Office, I practice local government law generally.   My specific assignments are that I am the Public Safety Team Lead, which is the team that represents the city’s Police and Fire departments and its Office of Emergency Management.  I also represent Risk Management, the Commissioner of the Revenue, and the Real Estate Assessor.  A major part of my practice is federal and state defense litigation.  Most of my cases involve defense of personal injury, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and employment-related claims.

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

The Chesapeake City Attorney’s Office is new to VADA!  My first conference was the 2025 Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach.

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

I’ve attended two VADA conferences now and have been really impressed with the programming and collegiality of the members.  It’s been instructive and a lot of fun.  The online resources are excellent as well. 

6.         What do you like most about practicing law?

I love legal research and writing and I also enjoy being in the courtroom.  So, I would say, overall, litigation is what I love most about practicing law. 

7.         What was your favorite subject in school?

In high school, it was the English classes, because I enjoyed the reading and writing.  In college, I discovered a love for theology classes.  In law school, Property was my favorite subject; in fact, I still have my textbook from the class in my office. 

8.         What is your favorite food and drink?

You know, my favorite holiday is Independence Day, and I think that’s partly because I love Fourth of July fare.  Give me a grilled hot dog, some mac ‘n’ cheese, potato salad, and a beer (or two) and I’m a happy girl.

9.         What is the best book you have ever read?

Tough question.  I have read so many great books and I can’t pick just one as the best.  I think in the fiction genre I would recommend The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart (actually, her entire Merlin Trilogy).  The quality of Mary Stewart’s writing, specifically her description, is incredible.  The same is true for St.  Francis de Sales, whose Introduction to the Devout Life is one of my favorite books and simply inspiring to read.  For non-fiction, I just finished reading Deep Work by Cal Newport and highly recommend it as one of the more impactful books I have ever read.

10.       What is the one item you cannot live without?

A rosary.

11.       What is your favorite travel spot?

I love the great outdoors – Yosemite National Park is one of my favorite places in the whole world.   It is absolutely majestic.

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

I dream of hiking the Camino de Santiago, Camino Francés.   I said as much to my husband just the other day, but he looked at me like I was crazy.  So, there’s that.

13.       If you were to walk into my office, one of the first things you would notice would be …

How cute my kids are – I have large, framed pictures of them (and my hubby and dog) on the wall opposite the door.

14.       What is the best live concert you have ever attended?

I’ve been to a lot of concerts, but I think the most fun I’ve ever had was at the Nelly “Where the Party At” tour last summer in Virginia Beach.  Nelly performed with Ja Rule and Eve.  It brought back all the college feels.

15.       What is your favorite movie, TV show, or podcast?

Again, tough question!  My favorite movie / tv miniseries is the 1995 BBC version of Pride & Prejudice with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.  I also love Outlander, its spinoff series Blood of My Blood, Poldark, and All Creatures Great & Small.  I’m a period piece person.  My favorite app is Hallow, and there are various engaging podcasts on that.

16.       What is your favorite sports team?

I used to be a huge San Diego Chargers fan, until they moved to Los Angeles and now I couldn’t care less about them.  My husband is originally from Detroit, so I’ve adopted the Lions as my favorite team.  Clearly, when it comes to sports fandom, I’m a glutton for punishment.

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

What I like to do and what I actually do are different things.  My husband and I are in our get-the-kids-to-all-their-various-activities era, which takes up most of our time when we are not working.  On the rare occasions I have some free time, I’m happiest hanging out with family and friends, preferably outdoors, or reading, or playing and coaching basketball.  My church also has a vibrant community and multiple ministries, and I enjoy being engaged in those activities when I can.

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

The only other employment I ever had as an adult was when I served five years in the Navy before going to law school.  But I think if I wasn’t practicing law today, I would be a stay-at-home mom with a side hustle of writing.  I’ve always dreamed of authoring a book. 

19.       What is something even your friends probably don’t know about you?

I want to go back to school someday to study theology, just for my own personal enrichment.

20.       What is your definition of success?

There’s a saying, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”  My definition of success is to be “good” in all the roles one has in this life.  If, at the end of my days, I can look back and say that I was a good Catholic, wife, mother, daughter, sister, family member, friend, and attorney—in that order—then, to me, that is a successful life.