Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Vie.
Hi Valerie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
VV: I am Valerie V. VIe and I have been a lawyer for 29 years. I am an Ohio native born in Youngstown, Ohio. I received my BS degree with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration from Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland. I graduated with honors, particularly Magnum Cum Laude. I attended Law School at Cumberland School Of Law at Samford University, where I received my Juris Doctorate Degree. I am currently licensed to practice law in two states, Maryland and Georgia.
I was a prosecutor in Baltimore City. I served as a Special Assistant States Attorney prior to her licensing in Georgia. I am currently working for a national defense firm with an office in Alpharetta, GA.
I am a member of several organizations including the Douglas County Bar Association. I was the first African American to serve as President.
My legal experiences as a litigation specialist prove me to be a highly skilled trial attorney with a passion for the challenges present in every legal matter.
I am the proud Mother of Valeria Victoria who is 11 years old.
ACM: You have quite the history in law and politics. Please talk to us about what motivated you to take on this career path. We love this stuff!
VV: I decided to go into politics because I was tired of complaining about the laws and how poorly written some of them were. So instead of complaining, I said go to the capital and make better laws. Laws that are not just facially neutral but laws that will have a neutral impact. What does that mean? It means some laws look neutral but actually have a discriminatory impact on particular citizens.
I ran for state representative of Dist. 62. I was the only woman in the race and I defeated the other 4 males. Unfortunately, I lost in the runoff election. The ultimate victor is now the democratic Candidate for State Labor Commissioner
ACM: As a community leader, how do you apply your experience and education to the community to make an impact in a positive way?
VV: Well as a prosecutor, defense attorney, and community activist I have seen a lot of children as well as adults with drug and mental health issues. I was the Drug and Mental Health Court prosecutor in Douglas County. This job allowed me to identify the citizens in the community who were connecting crimes because of addiction issues and mental health issues. Once identified, I could pair them with the help needed such as treatment and other resources in the community that was specific to their illness, and divert them away from incarceration. Drug addiction and mental illness can not be treated by incarceration. Our jails are not equipped to serve as hospitals for our addicted and mentally ill population.
People who are having challenges tend to escape through drug use or self-medication to feel better. They are often unaware that they are having mental imbalance issues. They feel anxious, depressed, or stressed out. But these can be signs of other issues.
I collaborated with Stomp the Stigma, Fit for the Future, and the Douglas County Commissioners to launch a Mental Health Awareness campaign that targeted high school students and parents. When we know better, we do better.
ACM: You are on the cast of Women In The Life Atlanta! This show is hot! Talk about how you got involved with the show and the importance of what the show stands for.
VV: I have known Barbara of Tatum Studios for many years. She has had the idea to show what “Women in The Life was doing for a very long time. She contacted me years ago and we worked with some things and some people but it was not the right time.
When she contacted me this time, I said sure, it felt right.
What interested me the most is showing Black lesbians in a positive light. Lesbian women have not been portrayed on screen with the same frequency as their gay male counterparts.
Black lesbians have real-life issues like everyone else. A fact that is often lost in mainstream media. Lesbians are single parents, married couples with children, business owners, entrepreneurial spirits, doctors, lawyers, politicians as well as ministers. We are women who want and need love like everyone else.
I always wanted to be a part of showing the lesbian experience. But to show these experiences as we live them actually in a positive way was a no-brainer.
Sure, we experience love and relationships and all that goes with that. That makes this show authentic. Relationships aren’t always what we want or expect. Lesbian love is beautiful, emotional and yes can be messy. It often makes you float above the clouds. It can also send you crashing back into the earth. But it is the most real thing you can imagine. The viewing public needs to see that and hopefully, we can show that.
ACM: Thank you for bussin down some game with Antuan. Tell us what we can expect from you next season and in the near future from you as a whole. Also, shout out your team, loves ones or anyone who deserve that love for rockin with you.
VV: I remember when older women in the church would embrace and help younger women in the church. I remember married women tacking the recently married women under her wing and helping her navigate the marital experience through seasoned eyes. Giving good advice with a loving, kind, and christ-like spirit.
I hope the next season can also capture this old-school new school dynamic. How the older lesbians care for and support the younger lesbians with positivity and sharing of the old experiences. Marriage is legal now, in vitro fertilization commonplace, and gay churches are all over Atlanta. Years ago, when I was living my truth in this life, not so much. Most women had to hide their sexuality. They met at bars on certain nights. Their lovers were their roommates. You went to a lawyer to draft domestic partnership agreements to protect each other.
Now everything is a lot easier socially for this generation. We forget that the young ones still need older spiritual leaders to help them navigate difficult issues of same-sex relationships, period. If women In The Life can capture this dynamic on-screen that would be epic!
I thank God for giving me a blessed life daily for without him none of this is possible. I shout out my loving God Parents San and Stella for their unwavering support of me and for giving me the wisdom of their 30-plus-year relationship.
I thank the producers of Women In The Life Atlant for seeing my value to the community and how my experiences bring value to the show.
My loving daughter, Valeria who always supports me in these time-consuming projects but who always lets me know after how the endeavor took away from our mommy-daughter time…but it’s ok.
I thank all my clients for entrusting me with literally their life and liberty and my LegalShield customers for believing me when I say everyone needs a lawyer for just 30 bucks a month. Sign up for LegalShield and make sure you use associate # 127612083 for a personal discount.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well, it has not been a smooth road. I have been lesbian all my life. 30 years ago, the level of acceptance for LGBT professionals was not what it is now. I have a beautiful daughter, Valeria Victoria. My ex-wife carried through in vitro fertilization. We did this over a decade ago. Now, these procedures are much more commonplace.
Further, I am more aggressive dominant and my clothing was more male. That added to the stigma as well. However, I treated people with respect but maintained my dignity. I got great results for my clients and the respect came. I am African American, I am a women, I am lesbian and I am overweight. I suffered so much prejudice I didn’t know which of those characteristics were being prejudiced and when. I could only change my weight so I never let it bother me. I am who I am.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a general practitioner. I have been a prosecutor, defense attorney, divorce lawyer and family law lawyer. That means my practice extensive legal experience in both civil and criminal litigation. I am currently working for a national insurance defense firm. We also do some divorce, contract disputes and a host of community service work. My last case was a criminal case involving a charge that the judge has always given prison time. However, I was able to show my client for who she was not the act she committed and we had to pay a hefty fine and received probation. That is what I do.
I am also a Legalshield Representative. I have legalshield for myself as well. I learned in my practice that everyone can not afford lawyers after the fact, just when something happens. I decided to assist my clients with affordable representation to be advised before the fact. My Rep # 127612083 anyone that signs up using I will give them a personal rebate. I believe everyone needs to have legal insurance for their family. Make sure the card is on your driving age teenagers. The encounter with the officer will be a lot different. If you get a speeding ticket while traveling to Florida. You can call, fax the ticket and a lawyer will go to court for you. You don’t have to find money to get a lawyer, or take of work or pay for a hotel to appear. Just one ticket, fees and the cost of the attorney can cost 2500.00 dollars. A year of coverage is 300. You can have peace of mind and services for over eight plus years for the cost of one mistake. It is essential for those without a lot of disposable income who does not want to throw money away.
I am most proud at working with prosecutors, attorneys, community leaders, activists and elected community servants to help people who have traditionally not been able to find the assistance they need. I am on a show called Women In The Life Atlanta and they capture some of these moments with me.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes, I have learned that we always knew mental health was important just like physical health. I do not know if we really realized just how true that was. We have seen suicide rates increase regardless to what you hear statistically. We have seen drug overdose spikes. We have seen increased violence. Not being able to socialize and being active interacting with people took a toll on everyone.
I do not believe the practice of law will ever be the same. The use of ZOOM, Teams and other platforms are here to stay. Court is conducted via telephonic picture platforms Mediations are conducted via these platforms. Law firms are using working from home as a benefit much like 401K to attract top talent.
Attorneys are booking consultations over these platforms. We no longer need brick and mortar to be very good and successful. Having an office anymore in high-rent districts are great for the show but not more effective.
Pricing:
- Family membership 29.95/month
- Personal Injury no cost 25% of recovery
- Divorce depends on assets and children
- Bond Hearing Depends on Charge start 1750
Contact Info:
- Website: valerievie.com
- Instagram: Valerie V. Vie
- Facebook: Law Offices of Valerie V. Vie
