May 16, 2023
Tamara Moore Awarded the 2023 Virginia Legal Aid Award
Tamara X. Moore, managing attorney of the Culpeper branch office of Legal Aid Works (LAW), has been awarded the 2023 Virginia Legal Aid Award. The award is given to an outstanding legal aid attorney who exhibits innovation and creativity in advocacy, experience and excellence in service, and impact beyond their own program’s service area.
Moore was nominated by Ann H. Kloeckner, executive director of LAW, who noted that, “[Moore’s] reputation in the Culpeper office service region is impeccable, and our office’s reputation in the community shines brightly because of her example of quiet, effective leadership.”
Moore has worked for Legal Aid Works for the last 16 years, starting first as an extern the summer before her third year of law school and becoming a staff attorney in 2007. She handles a large caseload of family law cases and occasionally serves as guardian ad litem. Since joining LAW, Moore has assisted her clients in obtaining over $1,133,000 in child and spousal support awards.
Several other current and former LAW employees seconded Moore’s nomination for the award, praising Moore’s intelligence, dedication, and empathetic nature.
“Working with Tamara for the past three years has been an experience like no other and is truly an honor,” LAW Intake Specialist Tamesha Cook wrote. “She is a logical and analytical thinker who asserts confidence and empathy. … I believe her dedication for justice is unshakable and makes her the perfect candidate for this award.”
Each year, the recipient of the Legal Aid Award is asked to choose a quote that best represents their legal philosophy, and Moore chose: “When you get, give. When you learn, teach.” —Dr. Maya Angelou.
Moore received her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Mich., and holds a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from George Mason University. She lives in Stafford with her four young children.
She will be presented the award on June 15 at the Access to Legal Services Committee 30th Anniversary Dinner during the 2023 VSB Annual Meeting.