Hampton Roads law firm honors late attorney’s mission to empower women with scholarship
Kristen D. Hofheimer loved life and she loved learning.
After her death at age 49 in January 2019 from breast cancer, Hofheimer Law Firm created the Kristen D. Hofheimer Memorial Scholarship to bring opportunities to two deserving women in the community.
Hofheimer became the managing partner of the firm in 2009 that her father and mother, Charlie and Diane, and Jack Ferrebee cofounded in 1991.
Immediately following Hofheimer’s death, Katie Carter, fellow attorney in the woman-focused firm specializing in divorce, custody and support, said they decided to create an outreach-style program that served the women they represent and help current, former and prospective clients see a vision for their future.
“Ending a marriage is pretty traumatizing. It can be hard to see a future for yourself, especially when it diverges from the future that you spent years imagining for yourself,” Carter said. “We wanted to be in a position to provide that encouragement and to help women see a positive, empowering, supportive way forward.”
This year’s theme “Straighten Those Crowns” pulls from the quote, “Be the woman who straightens another woman’s crown without telling the world it was crooked.” It exemplifies not only the kind of woman Hofheimer was, but all of the associates at the firm.
To stay true to the firm’s mission to support, educate and empower women, the competition that awards two $1,000 scholarships was launched in Hofheimer’s memory. It is open to women in Virginia looking to go to school, or back to school, and improve their lives.
Semifinalists will be selected to submit a video essay 30 seconds to 2 minutes in length. The top three to five submissions will move to online voting. The two with the most votes will win the scholarships.
An alumnus of Virginia Beach Friends School, Hofheimer skipped her senior year at Kempsville High School to attend and graduate cum laude from Sweet Briar College. Although she received a full ride to the University of Richmond for law school, Hofheimer, who was a single mother, opted to attend the University of Virginia for her law degree.
“I can really only speak for myself here, but I miss her every day,” Carter said. “As a boss, she was incredible. … As a friend, she was fun, funny and always encouraging … and as an attorney, she was exceptional.”
The fourth annual scholarship competition opens for nominations every year on April 15, Hofheimer’s birthday. Nominations will be accepted at hoflaw.com/scholarships until May 31.
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com
