
Court Admissions
Commonwealth of Virginia
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United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
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Education
Juris Doctor, University of Virginia School of Law
Masters of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University
BA, Psychology, University of Virginia
Awarded highest distinction for thesis:
African American Women’s Perceptions of Discrimination


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Helen showing her fair housing tattoo while signing her own real estate contract.
About Helen Hardiman
"Fair housing is more than my profession — it’s part of who I am.”
- Helen Hardiman
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Helen Hardiman is a civil rights attorney and founder of Hardiman Law PLLC, a Richmond-based law firm dedicated to advancing housing justice, protecting civil rights, and supporting underserved communities across Virginia. With a career spanning public service, nonprofit leadership, and private practice, Helen brings deep experience in fair housing law, disability rights, and civil rights enforcement.
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Helen previously served as a Trial Attorney in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of General Counsel, where she supported HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in enforcing the federal Fair Housing Act. Prior to that, she was an Assistant Attorney General and Policy Advisor in the Virginia Office of Civil Rights, investigating and litigating claims of discrimination and advising on statewide civil rights policy and legislation.
Helen founded Hardiman Law PLLC in 2017 and quickly built a practice known for effective, compassionate advocacy. In her first two years, she helped over 100 Virginia families secure and maintain fair housing. Before launching the firm, she was Vice President of Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME), where she directed statewide outreach, policy, and enforcement efforts.
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Helen holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, with a concentration in administration, planning, and public policy. She is licensed to practice law in Virginia.
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Throughout her career, Helen has served in numerous public leadership roles, including appointments by governors and mayors to the Virginia Housing Commission, the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development, the Richmond Affordable Housing Trust Fund Oversight Board, and others.
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Community
Service
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Virginia Bar Association, Board of Governors Government Representative (2020)
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Virginia Housing Commission, appointed by Governor Ralph Northam (2018)
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Maggie Walker Community Land Trust Citizens Advisory Board, appointed by Mayor Levar Stoney (2019)
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Richmond’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund Oversight Board, appointed by Mayor Levar Stoney (2018)
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Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development,
appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe (2016)
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Virginia Poverty Law Center, board member
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Consumer Alliance of Virginia, board member
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Recognition
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Co-author of law casebook "Experiencing Housing Law," 2nd Ed., West Academic (2022)
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Up and Coming Attorney by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly (2017)
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Virginia Housing Alliance’s Top 40 Network for housing leaders (2015)
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Virginia Law Foundation Public Service Fellow
for work at the Legal Aid Justice Center (2012)
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Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership
Political Leaders Program (2008)
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Cover of Belle magazine
“Created Equal: Helen O’Beirne’s mission of social justice” (2009)
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Top 40 Under 40 by Style Weekly (2007)
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* Results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Past success is no guarantee of an outcome in any future case.