Sandra T. Chinn-Gilstrap

Sandra, is a native of the Danville-Pittsylvania County community. She practices primarily in the areas of civil litigation, family law, elder law, traffic law and personal injury. She is a 1992 graduate of the University of Virginia (with Distinction). After graduating from the University of Miami School of Law in 1995, Sandra chose to return to Danville and dedicate her practice to families and businesses throughout Southern Virginia.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, her multicultural background and diverse areas of concentration enable Sandra to offer a comprehensive assessment of her clients’ needs, assisting them with the emotional and financial complexities of the law.

Well known as an experienced advocate in Virginia’s mental health community, she has tried thousands of mental health commitment proceedings since the 1990s and is a featured lecturer for the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training certification for Law Enforcement and Mental Health Communities of Southside Virginia. Sandra is certified as a guardian ad litem for adults and has over two decades of experience in criminal and civil litigation.

Sandra was honored in the 2017 Edition of Best Lawyers in America receiving Virginia recognition, and was further distinguished as the Best Lawyers in America 2017 and from 2016 to 2020 Edition of Best Lawyers in America, Roanoke Lawyer of the Year in Family Law. In 2017, Virginia Living listed Sandra as one of the Best Women in the Law. Over the years, Sandra has been named a 2020 Super Lawyer, 2017 Super Lawyer, and 2016 Virginia Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine, a Best Lawyers in America 2015 member, and a Legal Elite from 2013 to 2015 by Virginia Business Magazine. Virginia Business Magazine also further distinguished Sandra as the Virginia Legal Elite Family Law Attorney of 2014, in 2018 for Family/Domestic Relations, and in 2019 for Civil Litigation. Virginia Lawyers Weekly honored Sandra as a 2013 Leader in the Law. Recognized by America’s Best Lawyers in Family Law from 2016-2022.

Sandra served on the Virginia State Bar-Supreme Court of Virginia’s Professionalism Faculty, in recognition of her commitment to upholding and elevating the highest standards of honor, integrity, and courtesy in the legal profession. In addition to her vast contributions to the law and various bar organizations on the state and local level, Sandra has remained equally committed to actively serving her community.

President and former Treasurer of the University of Virginia Club of Southern Virginia. Sandra has proudly served the Virginia State Bar Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations as Secretary for many years.