Our Team

Chris Way

Chris Way is a Washington, DC native and has been proud to call Richmond home for over ten years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Chris earned his law degree at the University of Kentucky College of Law and graduated Cum Laude. He served on the College’s Honor Council, Moot Court Board, and was Editor-in-Chief of the Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Law. Prior to Serving as Editor-in-Chief, his student comment was selected for publication in the Journal.

Chris began his career as an associate at a large law firm. He valued his time there but ultimately wanted to create a practice with his particular philosophy and vision for the practice of law. The son of two entrepreneurs, he wanted the opportunity to work with a broader spectrum of businesses, large and small, recognizing that startups, smaller and mid-sized businesses tend to be underserved. These businesses have an even greater need for quality legal service because the limited nature of small business resources make the effects of imprecise strategy especially detrimental.

Way Law PLLC was founded to implement Chris Way’s philosophy on the practice of law, as a vehicle for helping business and non-profits Find the Yes. As the child of entrepreneurs, Chris has a firsthand understanding of the importance of setting a goal, implementing a vision, and protecting it from the many risks that arise along the way. His and our favorite aspect about the work of Way Law is being an active guide and companion in the entrepreneurial adventure, and seeing visions come to life.

When he’s not working, Chris enjoys family time, live music, playing drums, hiking, reading, and any movie or TV show that involves jokes or blowing things up. Preferably both.

Community Involvement

Chris is a strong believer in supporting one’s community. He believes that by giving back we help others move forward. Some of Chris’ community service includes:

• Trustee, Board of Trustees, Children’s Museum of Richmond
• Director, Board of Directors, Jewish Family Services, Inc.
• Secretary, Children’s Museum of Richmond
• Past Chair of the Children’s Museum Associate Board, where he has a been Board member since 2016 (Chris previously has served as Chair of the Associate Board’s Nominating Committee from 2018 to 2019 and Chair Elect from 2019 to 2020)
• Mentor with the Dominion Energy Innovation Center
• Speaker, SCALING4GROWTH, a six month business curriculum sponsored by the Commonwealth of Virginia through the Small Business Supplier Diversity Agency
• Speaker, SCALING4PROSPERITY, the alumni group of SCALING4GROWTH
• Co-founded a local private operating foundation in 2016
• Mentor with Chamber RVA’s THRIVE Mentor Network
• Basketball Coach, YMCA of Greater Richmond

Kristen Duffeler

Kristen Duffeler is a Virginia native and has resided in Williamsburg, Virginia for over twenty years. She received dual degrees in Business Administration and History from the College of William and Mary, before earning her law degree from the College’s Marshall Wythe School of Law.

While in law school, she was a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Team, founded the Therapeutic Jurisprudence Society, and served on the Journal of Women and the Law.

Kristen began her career as an associate at a large law firm ranked in the top 200 law firms in the United States by the American Lawyer. Her focus was on corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, operating subsidiary formation and activities, and governance. Discovering that her passion was for smaller and mid-sized businesses, she moved into serving as in-house counsel for a Williamsburg-based hospitality, dining, and retail business group. After 10 years, seeking something new, she moved to a position as in-house counsel for a Newport-News-based manufacturing business.

She joined Way Law in 2022 seeking to work with a broader variety of businesses, serving the needs of business owners and entrepreneurs. Kristen believes that the collaboration between entrepreneurs and legal counsel can help wield the law as a positive tool for building, growing, and protecting businesses and relationships. When she’s not working Kristen loves to read, garden, and bake, as well as spend time with her husband, three children and four dogs.

Lisa Brennan

Lisa Brennan is originally from the Northern Virginia area, but has called Richmond home for the past ten years. Lisa earned her B.A., cum laude in History from Virginia Tech and her J.D. from Ohio Northern University. During law school, she served as the secretary of the Public Interest Law Association.

Lisa volunteered with non-profits and legal aid societies in both Ohio and Virginia. She also served as an IRS certified VITA/TCE volunteer, preparing tax returns for low income and elderly individuals.

Lisa began her career in private practice. She spent several years with law firms in the Richmond area, practicing in the areas of civil litigation, estate planning, real estate, and business law. She has a broad range of experience representing both individuals and small to medium sized businesses. Immediately prior to joining Way Law, Lisa served as in-house counsel for a private mortgage lender. Realizing her passion for helping business owners solve problems, she joined Way Law in 2023.

She strives to build legal solutions and collaborate with business owners to provide them with the tools they need to succeed. The law to her is more than just crafting appropriate documents – it is an integral part of building a complete business strategy.

Lisa lives in Henrico County with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, baking, and cheering on the Virginia Tech Hokies.