Rachel L. D. Thompson
Rachel L. D. Thompson, an immigration and adoption attorney, is a partner at Poarch Thompson Law. She serves on the Federal Bar Association’s Governing board as Secretary. is the Chair of their Law School Committee, and also speaks annually at its conferences. She was the recipient of the FBA-ILS “Younger Lawyer of the Year Award” (2018) and the recipient of the “Alison Parker Young Woman of Achievement Award” (2016) given by DePaul Community Resources where she serves a board member. She also serves as a board member for Blue Ridge Legal Services. In 2020, she was listed in Roanoker Magazine’s Class of 2020 for “40 Under 40,” was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine, and nominated by her peers as Legal Elite by Virginia Business. Alongside being one of Poarch Thompson Law’s managing attorneys, she is also an adjunct professor at Liberty University School of Law. Rachel first moved to Southwest Virginia when she attended Liberty University School of Law (Lynchburg, Virginia), graduating in May 2012. The multiculturalism inherent in her native city (Philadelphia) and her family (South African mother and Jamaican father) instilled an early and profound love for diverse cultures, hope in the possibilities of immigration.
Who is your hero?
Nelson Mandela
Aside from basic necessities, what could you not go a day without (activity, person, thing etc)?
Sports
What one luxury would you take with you on a deserted island?
A television with ESPN
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Warning: Comeback to me in a day, I need time to process
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Serena Williams
If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Oxtail and dumplings
Rachel L. D. Thompson, partner of Poarch Thompson Law, serves on the Federal Bar Association’s Immigration Law Section Advisory board. Rachel is also chair of the FBA-ILS’ Law School Committee and was named the Younger Lawyer of the Year by FBA in 2018. She is President of the Salem/Roanoke County Bar Association and a board member of Depaul Community Resources, who presented her with the Alison Parker Young Woman of Achievement Award. She is also on the board of Blue Ridge Legal Services. Rachel is licensed to practice law in Virginia (2013), the Western District of Virginia, and the U.S. Supreme Court. A frequent speaker on immigration and adoption law, Rachel is routinely recognized as Legal Elite and SuperLawyer by her peers. Rachel is also an adjunct professor at Liberty University School of Law.
Rachel first moved to Southwest Virginia when she attended Liberty University School of Law (Lynchburg, Virginia), graduating in May 2012. The multiculturalism inherent in her native city (Philadelphia) and her family (Rachel’s mother was born and raised in South Africa and her father was born and raised in Jamaica) instilled an early and profound love for diverse cultures, hope in the possibilities of immigration, and a fascination with other languages. From her early experience of faith and community (Rachel’s childhood church, which her father still pastors, is a congregation with immigrants from myriad African and Caribbean countries) Rachel learned the value and power of moving beyond where you came from even while cherishing your roots. When Rachel watched her mother become a naturalized U.S. Citizen, it only cemented Rachel’s desire to work with multi-ethnic populations to assist with their immigration needs.
Rachel and her family live in Salem, Virginia. When she’s not working, she’s watching sports with her family, spending time with friends or participating in a church small group study.
Education
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- B.A. Spanish Business, Messiah College
- J.D., Liberty University School of Law
Bar Admission
- Virginia State Bar, 2013
201 S. College Ave, Salem VA 24153
(540) 387-1005
Disclaimer
The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes.
