our Leadership

Courtney Winston

2025 Society President

Courtney Leigh Winston is a skilled and compassionate advocate and litigator. She has spent thousands of hours in courtrooms across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Her wide breadth of legal experience allows Courtney to advise her clients about all of the implications of our justice system—both in the criminal and civil courts.

Courtney got her first taste of the courtroom while working with Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, where she represented clients in family law, unemployment, and landlord-tenant disputes. From there, she transitioned to criminal defense and worked alongside a brilliant and notorious mentor who taught her the importance of trying cases to juries. Through criminal defense work, Courtney learned the nuts and bolts of trial practice and developed a true passion and talent for courtroom advocacy. Courtney thrives in the courtroom and her courtroom presence sets her apart from her peers.

In her previous work, Courtney dedicated her career to representing people when the odds were stacked against them, an effort that she continues today. She prides herself on giving her clients a voice and is the fearless advocate her clients need.

Presently, Courtney works as a civil plaintiff’s attorney in the Richmond, Virginia branch of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen. Courtney focuses her practice on representing survivors who were sexually abused by people responsible for their well-being. She has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of the sexual assault survivors she has represented.

Clients describe Courtney as responsive, compassionate, and willing to go the extra mile. Courtney prides herself on being the most prepared person in the courtroom. She enjoys “nerding out” about legal nuances and is committed to doing her part to make our society a safer place for everyone.

Courtney is a highly sought-after public speaker and has presented at conferences across the country. She enjoys teaching, learning from, and interacting with other members of the legal community. When she is not working, Courtney prefers to spend her time doing yoga, traveling, and improving her Spanish language skills.

Meet Our Advisory Board

“Having worked in the legal industry for more than twenty years, I’ve seen the ongoing discrimination women trial lawyers continue to endure, and the difficulties faced in building a sustainable and worthwhile practice.

The concept of a sisterhood that offers real support with a variety of resources and a community that strengthens its members, has been a vision of mine for many years.  Society of Women Trial Lawyers is the answer to this sisterhood, and I invite you to join me in becoming a force for change with distinctiveness and credibility.”

Nancy Holston, Founder