Passion and purpose are the driving forces for Jacquelyn E. “Jackie” Stone, one of Richmond’s brightest and dedicated lawyers.

Ms. Stone, a partner at McGuireWoods’ Richmond office who also served for more than 20 years as the global firm’s hiring partner, was honored with the American Lawyer Media’s National Women in Law Lifetime Achievement Award.

She was among six women nationwide to receive the prestigious award during a ceremony Oct. 3 in Washington.

“These women stand out because they are business strategists, complex problem-solvers and … great lawyers,” organizers stated in announcing the awards. “And as important is that they are great people-leaders — they care more about the success of the team than their individual success.”

Ms. Stone, who joined McGuire Woods in 1985 after working as a legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, created and chaired McGuireWoods’ Diversity & Inclusion Committee, advocating for hiring a more diverse team of lawyers as essential to providing the best service to clients.

“The legal practice is increasingly global,” Ms. Stone explains. “Clients expect law firms to solve problems and identify solutions to address their legal issues on a worldwide spectrum.

“Not only do clients want to see diverse talent working on their matters, they also want lawyers to develop solutions that reflect a comprehensive knowledge of the law, as well as an understanding of the diverse context in which businesses operate today.”

Ms. Stone also actively works in attracting a diverse array of students to the legal profession. She serves on the board of Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization, which was founded by a group of federal judges to encourage students in underserved and underrepresented populations to pursue career opportunities in law.

The organization’s commitment at all academic levels, from elementary to high school, is demonstrated in its “Robes In Schools” program where “judges go (to schools) and just talk to the students,” Ms. Stone says.

“We have to expose the students so they can see that they can be judicial clerks and lawyers arguing before the Supreme Court,” she continues. “They just have to see people that look like them doing these types of jobs in the judicial system.”

She notes that while some progress at diversity and inclusion has been made, “we have a lot more to do.”

Ms. Stone’s path into the legal profession started by observing her father, the late William T. Stone Sr., a Williamsburg funeral home director and lawyer who made history in 1968 when he was one of the first African-Americans appointed as a substitute judge in Virginia.

“I watched him work very, very hard,” Ms. Stone recalls. “He was an all around general practitioner who covered everything — criminal, civil, bankruptcy, family law and real estate.”

Concurrently, her mother, Sara Cumber Stone, encouraged her to talk to women who had achieved things in their lives. “She would say, ‘That’s someone that you should meet.’ She was the one who helped me understand what a mentor is,” Ms. Stone says.

That advice has been a beacon for Ms. Stone as she also mentors law students and those entering and finishing clerkships.

Meet an award-winning legal advocate for diversity and inclusion, and this week’s Personality, Jacquelyn E. “Jackie” Stone:

Latest accomplishment: Recipient of the American Lawyer Media’s National Women in Law Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Date and place of birth: Jan. 7 in Williamsburg.

Current home: Downtown Richmond.

Alma maters: Bachelor’s degree in American government, University of Virginia, 1980; J.D., Harvard Law School, 1985.

Family: Husband, B.K. Fulton; sons, Joshua and Terrell Fulton; and nephew, Sam Stone.

How I received news that I was selected the award winner: A friend in New York read an announcement listing me as an award recipient and sent an email to congratulate me. That was the first I heard about being selected for this honor.

First reaction: Must be a mistake!

What this honor means to me: This honor has made me realize that while there is much more to be done to increase the numbers of women and attorneys of color in the profession, we have made meaningful progress. I vividly recall that the concepts of diversity and inclusion were rarely discussed when I started practicing law in the 1980s. We have since changed the narrative to tell the stories of the contributions made by many women and diverse lawyers. Most importantly, people from all backgrounds are becoming more comfortable discussing issues of gender and race and recognizing that everyone has a role to play in making the profession more diverse and inclusive. With the benefit of diverse experiences, insights and points of view, the practice of law has been greatly enhanced.

Why I became a lawyer: My father, the late William T. Stone, first exposed me to the practice of law. My interest in the law was reinforced while working on Capitol Hill. There were so many lawyers in Washington, I felt I needed to study law to speak their language.

My principal work as a lawyer: Advising clients on legislative issues before the Virginia General Assembly and representing corporate clients on a range of immigration and worksite enforcement matters as a member of the McGuireWoods Corporate Securities Department.

Its greatest challenge: The unpredictable nature of the political landscape — from interactions with elected officials to dealings with federal agencies — has a significant impact on my legal work.

Its greatest satisfaction: Helping clients achieve the best outcomes and solutions.

My heroes in law: My father, the late Oliver W. Hill Sr. and retired U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Bruce Lee.

Importance of diversity on the bench: Diversity on the bench is critically important to ensure equal treatment for all as well as the fair interpretation and application of the law.

Advice to aspiring students interested in the field: Strive for excellence in all you do and work hard at perfecting the skills of being a lifelong learner and avid listener. Identify mentors to help guide you and teach you the unwritten rules, while understanding the importance of serving as a mentor to those following in your footsteps.

A quote that I am inspired by: “If you feel you have fulfilled all of your dreams, you are not dreaming big enough.”

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Sit still every now and then.

How I start the day: My husband and I start every day by reading the Daily Word and Morning Meds.

A perfect day for me is: Leaving the office with my desk clean enough that I can actually see wood on the top!

Best late-night snack: My brother’s incredible sweet potato pie.

Quality I most admire in another person: Positive outlook, dependability, honesty and integrity. I view all of these attributes as very important.

How I unwind: Enjoying a nice meal with friends and family.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: My father taught me the importance of hard work and selflessness. My mother taught me the importance of common sense and good judgment. They both taught me the importance of caring for others.

The top of my “to do” list is: Reminding myself that each day offers an opportunity to be better and do better.

The book that influenced me the most: Kahlil Gibran’s “The Prophet.”

What I’m reading now: “Love’s Insurrection,” a novel soon to be published by my husband, B.K. Fulton.

My next goal: Attending the inauguration of the next African-American governor of Virginia. I also will continue my efforts to help the next generation of lawyers to achieve their dreams and help diverse law students obtain judicial clerkships in federal court and at the U.S. Supreme Court.