Paula Hough

Paula Hough is a distinguished attorney in Glen Allen, Virginia, known for her extensive experience in criminal defense and public policy. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Law. After her undergraduate studies, she worked with the National Legal Aid and Defender Association before pursuing her law degree at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

During her time in law school, Mrs. Hough was honored with the “Eleanor & James Clanton Haynes Memorial Law and Public Policy” fellowship. She served as a Senior Editor for a Law Journal and contributed to the Innocence Project by investigating wrongful conviction cases. Additionally, she worked full-time as an Information Specialist for The Death Penalty Information Center, where she delivered presentations on capital punishment to various organizations and provided expert testimony to the Maryland House of Delegates Judiciary Committee. She graduated cum laude in 2002.

In 2003, Mrs. Hough joined the Fairfax County Public Defender’s Office, where she represented clients in cases ranging from Reckless Driving to serious felonies like abduction, rape, and murder. Her dedication led to her promotion to Senior Assistant Public Defender, where she also trained and supervised junior attorneys.

Mrs. Hough transitioned to the Gordon Law Firm in 2007, opening their Central Virginia office. In 2009, she established her own practice, Brisendine, Overand, Buster and Bernstein, P.C. Following the birth of her first child in 2010, she partnered with her husband to form BernsteinHough, P.C. Currently, Mrs. Hough serves on the Executive Board of the Greater Richmond Criminal Bar Association.