MARY COMMANDER was chosen as a member of the Board of the National Center for Family Law at the University of Richmond School of Law. The National Center recently conducted a three day multi-disciplinary symposium with nationally recognized speakers in various mental health and legal fields.

In 2009, Ms. Commander joined the Adoption Committee of the national American Bar Association. She also joined the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Virginia State Bar.

In May, 2007, Ms. Commander prepared the written materials and lectured on property division issues in divorce for the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. She also lectured on ethics and relocation issues in child custody cases for the Norfolk-Portsmouth Bar Association.

Ms. Commander prepared 2007 updates for her treatise on Adoption Procedures and Forms for Virginia Lawyers, published by the Virginia Committee for Continuing Legal Education, now in its fourth edition.

She was selected by her peers as a "Super Lawyer" in the field of Family Law (2007, 2008 Super Lawyer Magazine). She also was selected for inclusion among the "Legal Elite" in the area of Family Law by Virginia Business Magazine.

Ms. Commander also was selected by the Board of Governors of the Family Law Section of the Virginia State Bar to receive the first Virginia State Bar, Family Law Volunteer Award (2006/2007).

In 2006, Ms. Commander was an Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year Finalist, National Association of Women Business Owners.

She also was one of 15 "Leaders in the Law" selected by Virginia Lawyers' Weekly from the entire state of Virginia.

In 2005, Ms. Commander was selected as YWCA Woman of the Year in Law. She also received a Jefferson Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service to the Community from the American Institute for Public Service.

For years, she has been a volunteer mediator, mentor, trainer and Board member at the Community Mediation Center, Hampton Roads only non-profit mediation center.

Ms. Commander also has been involved for years as a volunteer with the National Greyhound Adoption Program. She has two greyhounds at home, Barry and ER.

She is a major contributor to and fan of the Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs Basketball team and has been for more than 30 years. Her law firm is a sponsor of the Annual Lady Monarchs golf tournament.

Serving Hampton Roads, including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Hampton, Newport News, & York County.