Emily R. Willard was born and raised in the Martinsville and Henry County area. Emily went to Martinsville City Public Schools and graduated in 2017 with honors. After high school, Emily attended Lynchburg College where she studied Public Relations and graduated with a bachelor’s degree after only two years in May of 2019.
The summer before her senior year of college Emily interned with the Henry County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. Prior to her internship Emily had no interest in pursuing law, however, she quickly fell in love with the law and being inside of the courtroom. This prompted Emily to attend Liberty University School of Law where she obtained a Juris Doctorate in 2022.
During law school, Emily was a Student Ambassador, Vice President of the Women’s Law Society, Student Bar Association Historian, and a member of the Trial Team. Because of her efforts on the trial team and dedication to trial advocacy, Emily received the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association 2022 Trial Advocacy Award for Liberty School of Law. She was only 23 years old, making her the second youngest member of her law school class when she graduated in May of 2022.
Emily moved back home to be with her family in August of 2022 and began working as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Martinsville. The opportunity for Emily to come back to the office that made her want to be a lawyer arose in May of 2023, and she accepted the role as Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Henry County that July.
Not only is Emily dedicated to public service, but so is her husband Justin who currently serves as a Sergeant with Martinsville Police Department. The two have two sons.
