About Retired Judge Catherine Hammond
Professional Biography
Retired Judge Catherine Hammond brings a distinguished legal career to her mediation practice, one built on decades of courtroom experience, public service, and a deep commitment to fairness.
Judge Hammond began her legal career as a Law Clerk for a Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. She went on to join McGuireWoods in Richmond, where she rose to partner in 1992, handling commercial disputes for a range of business clients (banks, insurers, manufacturers, retailers etc.). From 1994 to 1998, she served as Virginia's Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation. In addition to overseeing six practice groups, she appeared in Court for the Commonwealth in milestone cases such as Mandel v Allen (4th Cir.), Trigon Demutualization (SCC), Harper v Va. Dep’t. of Taxation, and Landsidle v Va. State Board of Elections.
In 1999, Judge Hammond joined the Henrico Circuit Court. She served full time for 16 years, including three non-consecutive terms as Chief Judge. Her docket included the full range of civil and criminal matters, jury trials, and hundreds of divorce and child custody cases. In 2002 She and Retired Judge Gary Hicks started the first Recovery Court in Henrico, providing an alternative for criminal defendants who are diagnosed with substance use disorder.
After retiring from the bench, Judge Hammond has concentrated on mediation, working with individuals, families, and institutions to resolve disputes outside of court. She focuses especially on family law, settling issues of parenting, custody, spousal support or alimony, and equitable distribution disputes with complex financial problems. She founded Hammond Mediation with a personal goal: to uphold fairness and integrity so that every party, regardless of the nature of their dispute, can navigate even the most difficult transitions with clarity and dignity.
Education
Denison University, BFA
University of Virginia School of Law, JD
Professional Experience
Law Clerk, Judge Brieant, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Associate and Partner, McGuireWoods, Richmond
Deputy Attorney General, Civil Litigation Division, Commonwealth of Virginia
Circuit Court Judge, 14th Judicial Circuit (Henrico), 1999–2015
Judge Designate, Various Virginia Circuit Courts, 2015–Present
Owner and Mediator, Juridical Solutions PLC, 2018–2024
Owner and Mediator, Hammond Mediation PLLC, 2024–Present
Professional & Community Involvement
Faculty, National Drug Court Institute (ALL RISE)
Former President, The John Marshall American Inn of Court
Former Board Member, Greater Richmond Bar Foundation
Former Member, Standing Committee on Commissioners of Accounts
Member, Joint ADR Committee, VSB-VBA
Former Chair, Hammond Commission on Community Services and Inpatient Care
Former Chair, St. Andrew's School Board of Trustees
Former Editorial Board Member, Virginia Bench Book for Lawyers and Judges
Former Faculty Member, Virginia State Bar Professionalism Course
Graduate, Leadership Metro Richmond
Graduate, Virginia Executive Institute
Awards & Recognition
Award of Achievement
Lifetime Achievement Award
Legal Elite in Dispute Resolution
Influential Women of Virginia