Courtesy of Macel Janoschka
Macel Janoschka
MACEL JANOSCHKA, 38 / Attorney/Partner, Frith Anderson + Peake, PC
Macel Janoschka was made a partner at Frith Anderson + Peake, PC, a civil litigation firm, in 2014, and believes lawyers should give back to their communities. She has served on various nonprofit boards throughout the Roanoke Valley and is committed to community service. Recently named President of Mill Mountain Theatre’s board, Janoschka also serves as the Sustaining Advisor to the President in Junior League of Roanoke Valley, was a board member of Family Service of Roanoke Valley from 2015–2018 and continues to assist Blue Ridge Legal Services by taking on pro bono guardianship cases. Not only is she striving to serve her community, but she wants to set a good example for the next wave of local leaders. “My hope is that my passion will pass along to my two sons as they grow,” Janoschka says. “If I can inspire them to help others, then I believe I will have made a huge impact on our community.”
From the Nomination: “Macel Janoschka moved to Salem in 2006 after graduating from the University of South Carolina. She clerked for the 23rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia for a year and then worked at Gentry Locke for 4 years before moving to Frith Anderson + Peake. She has been a dedicated community servant, serving the community both professionally and as a community volunteer. Her impact as a volunteer reaches from the elementary schools in Salem and Roanoke to the Virginia State Bar’s statewide programming. Janoschka is definitely a dynamic young professional who works tirelessly to affect positive change and enhance the community. She is all about serving her community and is always saying ‘yes’ when asked to serve.”
- Roanoke Bar Association Young Lawyer of the Year, 2017
- Member, 2016 Inaugural Class of Virginia Lawyers Weekly Up and Coming Attorneys
- SuperLawyers Rising Star for 2013-2019
- Elected to the faculty of the Virginia State Bar’s Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course
- Serves as the secretary/treasurer of both the RBA and the Roanoke Law Foundation
- Served on the RBA’s Board since 2014 in various capacities including membership chair, community service chair, Rule of Law Co-Chair and as the Young Lawyer Representative
- Served on the VSB’s Young Lawyers Conference Board of Governors from 2010-2014
- Served as Minority Pre-Law Conference Chair and Women and Minorities in the Profession Chair
- Member of the Ted Dalton American Inn of Court from 2013-2016
- President of Mill Mountain Theatre's Board; previously served as Personnel Chair and member of its Education Committee
- Serves as the Sustaining Advisor to the President in Junior League of Roanoke Valley Previously served as Finance Vice President, 2011-2012; President-Elect, 2012-2013; President, 2013-2014 and chaired the Stocked Market fundraiser in 2014
- Board member of Family Service of Roanoke Valley from 2015–2018
- Volunteered within Roanoke City Schools as a “Barrister Book Buddy” at Morningside Elementary 2011-2017
- Volunteered with the Blue Ridge Legal Services (“BRLS”) Pro Bono Hotline from 2008- 2018; continues to assist by BRLS by taking on pro bono guardianship cases
- Serves as the treasurer for the South Salem Elementary School PTA and as the President of the Salem Council of PTAs
- Appointed by the Salem Circuit Court as an alternate member of the Salem Board of Zoning Appeals in 2018
- Recipient, Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference Outstanding Service Award (2009)
What do you love about Roanoke?
Janoschka: "Community. I am from Wise, Virginia and loved growing up in a close-knit community in the mountains. I'm happy to say I’ve found the same here, including my beloved mountains! The Roanoke Valley is an amazing place to raise a family and I can't imagine ever moving away."