Virginia has a very unusual background and a great deal of experience.
She graduated from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Science. She clerked for the local judiciary in McLean County. She attended DePaul University, College of Law, and graduated with her Juris Doctor in 1982.
Because it was too cold, she left Chicago for the warmth of southern California. She was the Vice-President of Keith Management, a successful legal consulting firm in Beverly Hills.
The ocean (through her husband) called and an important part of Virginia's future growth began. The pair sailed in Mexican and offshore Californian waters for the next six years. They worked in arts and crafts; in underwater boat and marina maintenance; in the charter industry; and in transport of vessels up and down the Baja California peninsula, the Sea of Cortez, and Southern California. They lived a balanced and rewarding life very close to nature.
Virginia wanted the challenge of long-range, offshore sailing. After a refit of "Scout," the dear boat and presence that kept them alive and safe, the two set off for the South Pacific. Not intentionally, this began with a 10 day gale upon exiting the Sea of Cortez.
Six months in the French Polynesian Islands, including the Marquesas, Tahiti, Moorea, and Raiatea were ended in American Samoa on the Island of Tutuila.
The Law Office of Virginia Sudbury began in Samoa, after Virginia spent some time working as a public defender. Started as a private practice, the office applied for and received funding from the Department of Justice, Violence Against Women Granting Agency to help those with little access to the judicial system. This began "U'unai'i Legal Service" work with victims of spousal abuse. This expanded again with another grant to develop assistance to the indigent population.
The Law Office of Virginia Sudbury began a class-action law suit against the Daewoosa garment manufacture, which ended with an over 3 million dollar claim being found against the owner and the government of Vietnam. This action precipitated the US Department of Justice's criminal suit against the owner for slavery. Kill Soo Lee now lives in a federal prison on thirteen such charges. He will likely be there for the rest of his lifetime. Over 200 workers were freed and given the opportunity for new lives. Most chose to come to the US to avoid the likely persecution they would face upon their return to Vietnam.
Those who returned have been unable to get work, they have begged for our help, and even asked how to sell their organs for money. A sad story for these good young people. To date there is no money to pay the workers their due judgment.
It is hard to say in a few words what it was that brought us back to Salt Lake City. It is a long story. Family was probably the biggest influence. Here we will stay for a while...
"Lawyers, I suppose, were children once." Charles Lamb
