Lori A. Butts

Lori A. Butts is a North Carolina native who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fayetteville State University before earning her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law. After law school, she moved to Virginia and began her career in the Suffolk Public Defender’s Office, where she represented adults and juveniles and developed a trauma‑informed, client‑focused approach to advocacy.

She later entered private practice, handling criminal, family, and civil matters, and went on to serve as Staff Attorney for Priority Automotive Group. Lori then returned to public service as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Richmond and Portsmouth, managing busy dockets, preparing complex cases, and working closely with community partners on restorative justice and specialty court programs.

Throughout her career, Lori has been active in community outreach, speaking at schools, civic organizations, and universities, and contributing to legal education through radio programs and public seminars. She is known for her balanced, compassionate, and strategic representation, as well as her long‑standing commitment to serving individuals and families across Hampton Roads.