At Cooper Ginsberg Gray, giving back is central to who we are as a firm. We believe in supporting our legal community, serving those in need, and strengthening the local businesses that make our region thrive. Below are some of the ways our team contributes—through leadership, volunteer work, and thoughtful partnerships. While this is not an exhaustive list of everything we do, it reflects our ongoing commitment to making a positive impact both within our profession and in the community at large.
Created by CGG founding partner, David Ginsberg, The Chipping in to End Domestic Violence Charity Golf Tournament was organized and hosted by Cooper Ginsberg Gray for more than two decades. Beyond raising awareness about domestic violence, the tournament generated over $820,000 for Artemis House (operated by Shelter House), including a record $93,000 in its final year, 2023. These funds helped Shelter House change lives and advance its vision of a community free of homelessness and domestic violence. In addition to creating the tournament, David served on Shelter House’s Board of Directors from 2016 to 2025, including as Board Chairman from 2019 to 2023.
Dan Gray, one of CGG’s founding partners, has served on the Board of Directors for Pathway Homes since 2008, including as Board Chairman from 2013 to 2018. Pathway Homes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides permanent housing and supportive services to adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring disabilities in Northern Virginia and Central Florida. Serving more than 500 individuals, the organization embraces hope, self-determination, and partners with each person on their journey toward self-fulfillment and realizing their dreams. Pathway Homes envisions a future in which all individuals with mental illnesses and co-occurring disabilities lead meaningful, self-directed lives in a home of their choice with the supports and services they need. In addition to Dan’s dedicated leadership spanning nearly two decades, Cooper Ginsberg Gray also supports Pathway Homes through financial contributions.
The Luv-u-Project was co-founded by CGG attorney, Alex Lewis, in memory of his mother-in-law, Carolyn Mattingly, who often signed her notes with “Luv u.” The Project advances mental health understanding and treatment through strategic initiatives including a national journalism award, a young professionals forum, and a Johns Hopkins partnership focused on workplace mental health. By bringing together experts, policymakers, and advocates, the organization creates actionable strategies to improve mental health outcomes. Cooper Ginsberg Gray has supported The Luv-u-Project’s annual fundraising and awareness event, An Evening of Love, since 2023.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (“AFSP”) is a leading national organization whose mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP funds scientific research, educates the public and professionals about suicide prevention, advocates for public policies and legislation, and provides support for survivors of suicide loss and those at risk. With local chapters in all 50 states, AFSP hosts community programs and signature events like the Out of the Darkness Walks to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. This work is deeply important to one of our team members. Cooper Ginsberg Gray has participated in the Out of the Darkness Walks since 2024.
NMDP is a global nonprofit organization that operates the world’s largest registry of volunteer blood stem cell donors, with more than 22 million individuals listed. The organization saves lives through cell therapy by connecting patients with life-threatening blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, or other blood disorders, to matching donors for potentially life-saving blood stem cell transplants. This cause is deeply important to CGG attorney Jamie Shaw, who lost her best friend, Amber Takesh, in October 2022 after an 18-month battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Cooper Ginsberg Gray is proud to support NMDP with annual financial contributions.
Cooper Ginsberg Gray has several dog-loving team members, including firm co-founder Heather Cooper, who has a special place in her heart for the work of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, where she volunteered for several years as a dog walker and foster. Cooper Ginsberg Gray has supported the Friends of Fairfax County Animal Shelter, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the shelter’s fundraising partner, through financial contributions. The organization funds important needs beyond what the shelter’s budget can provide, from life-saving veterinary care and spay and neuter surgeries to collars, tags, and leashes for adopted pets.
Cooper Ginsberg Gray is a proud Leader of Justice Fellow of the Fairfax Law Foundation, the charitable arm of the Fairfax Bar Association. The Foundation’s mission focuses on three main areas: providing law-related education to youth and the community, providing direct legal assistance to indigent people and those with special needs, and promoting access to and improvements in the justice system. In addition to financial support through its fellowship, Cooper Ginsberg Gray also supports the Foundation by participating in fundraising events, including the Heroes vs. Villains 5K Run for Justice and the Law Day Weiner Roast, and by volunteering for the Foundation’s Court Tour Program and Mock Trials for schoolchildren. Several CGG attorneys have served or are currently serving on the Fairfax Law Foundation’s Board of Directors, including David Ginsberg, Heather Cooper (who served as Board President in 2021-2022), Nathan Olson, Alex Lewis, and Alexandra (“Bailee”) Brumfield.
The Fairfax Bar Association is a professional organization for lawyers in Fairfax County that provides member benefits and support, offers continuing legal education in various formats, evaluates judicial candidates, and hosts networking and social events for the legal community.
Cooper Ginsberg Gray is proud to support the FBA’s work through donations, in particular to initiatives led by the FBA Paralegal Section, including the Valentine’s Day Project/Book Drive, Back-to-School Supply Drive, and Holiday Food Drive, by teaching CLE’s, and by serving in FBA leadership roles, including:
- Stephanie Smith, Co-Chair of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Committee
- Carly Anderson, who has served as Young Lawyers Section President-Elect, President, and Immediate Past-President/FBA Board Liaison
- Alex Lewis, Young Lawyers Section Board of Directors
- Jamie Shaw, Young Lawyers Section Board of Directors
- Jamie Montoney, FBA Paralegal Section Chair and Co-Philanthropy Coordinator
- Jennifer Horn, FBA Paralegal Section Vice Chair and Co-Philanthropy Coordinator
The Virginia State Bar (VSB) is the administrative agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia responsible for regulating the legal profession in the Commonwealth. The Virginia State Bar (VSB) is the administrative agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia responsible for regulating the legal profession in the Commonwealth. Created in 1938, the VSB protects the public, regulates the legal profession, advances access to legal services, and works to improve both the legal profession and the judicial system. All attorneys practicing law in Virginia must maintain active membership in good standing with the VSB.
The organization operates through its Council, Executive Committee, and numerous volunteer boards and committees that oversee professional conduct, continuing legal education, and various practice sections. Several Cooper Ginsberg Gray attorneys have volunteered with the VSB by serving as:
- Faculty for the Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course and Harry L. Carrico Law School Professionalism Course
- Members of the Family Law Section Board of Governors
- Members of the Young Lawyers Conference
Members of the Fee Dispute Arbitration Committee, Bar Council, 5th District Disciplinary Committee, and Bench-Bar Relations Committee
The Virginia Law Foundation (VLF) is a nonprofit organization that supports access to justice, the Rule of Law, and law-related education throughout the entire Commonwealth. Since its founding, the VLF has provided more than $30 million in grants to nonprofits and initiative throughout Virginia. One of the Foundation’s areas of focus in its Fellows Program, of which CGG Founding Partner, Dan Gray, is a member. The educational division of the Foundation provides continuing legal education to Virginia attorneys. Several CGG attorneys have served as speakers for Virginia CLE on topics including legislative changes affecting family law, premarital and marital agreements, retirement benefits in divorce, client management,
The Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia (CPNV) is a group of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial experts who believe the best way to address family matters is in a safe and confidential setting. Cooper Ginsberg Gray Partners David Ginsberg and Stephanie Smith have both served in leadership roles with CPNV. David served on the Board of Directors from 2019 to 2024 and Stephanie is currently serving as Board President (2025-2026).
Each November, CGG lawyers express gratitude to those who refer clients to our firm by sending hand-written thank you cards accompanied by gift cards. When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, we made a deliberate decision to support small businesses by exclusively purchasing gift cards from local entrepreneurs rather than large retailers and chain restaurants.
Over the past several years, this initiative has grown into a meaningful program that celebrates small businesses across various locations and industries. We carefully select businesses that are small enough to truly benefit from our purchases and appreciate the exposure. Each gift card is accompanied by a professionally designed glossy notecard featuring information about the business, including a brief description and social media links, helping introduce these deserving entrepreneurs to potential new customers.
Throughout the week leading up to Shop Small Saturday, we highlight each selected business individually on our Facebook and Instagram pages, amplifying their visibility to our audience. This approach has proven particularly impactful for businesses with limited marketing budgets, as many have expressed genuine appreciation for being introduced to customers who might not have otherwise discovered them. By supporting these small businesses, we create lasting relationships that extend well beyond a simple thank you gift—we help these entrepreneurs grow while showing our gratitude to those who support our practice.
Here are a few of the small businesses that we have supported (and grown to love):
Puzzle Palooza (Occoquan)
Kalpasi Indian Cuisine (Herndon)
Mazadar Restaurant (Fairfax)
The Picket Fence (Burke)
Dusty’s Country Store (Front Royal)
Clare and Don’s Beach Shack (Falls Church)
Fairfax Bakery (Fairfax)
Scrawl Books (Reston)
Cowbell Kitchen (Leesburg)
Because Science (Washington D.C.)
Rumalutions (Manassas)
Wonderland Books (Bethesda)
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm (Gainesville)
Lemoncello Boutique (Arlington)
Awards & Recognition
