AKERS & CLEATOR LAW GROUP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Member of the Virginia State Bar
- New Associate
Deborah "Deb" Goodwin is a new associate attorney here at Akers & Cleator Law Group. Mrs. Goodwin was born and raised in New Kent, Virginia, and went on to complete her Bachelor's of Science in Psychology at the College of William and Mary, graduating magna cum laude. She completed her law degree at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law where she was an active member of the Black Law Students Association, a competitor with the William & Mary Law School National Trial Team, a writer for the Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice, and a worker in the Parents Engaged in Learning Equality Special Education Clinic. While in her third year of law school, her article entitled "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Shorter: An Analysis of Lenient Sentencing for Female Sex Offenders in the United States" was published in the Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice, one of the highest ranked law journals in the nation addressing contemporary social issues.
Mrs. Goodwin became a member of the Virginia State Bar in 2019 and has been with Akers & Cleator Law Group since. Mrs. Goodwin has gained significant recognition in her practice and was awarded the Marquis Who's Who in America Among Female Lawyers in America for 2020-2021. Not only is Mrs. Goodwin passionate about the law, she is also very involved in her church, community, and other humanitarian ventures. She is on the board of directors for Wings of Refuge, Inc., is a member of the local Williamsburg chapter of A21, a global organization that combats human trafficking, and is a member of the Greater Peninsula Women's Bar Association. Mrs. Goodwin also serves as a student mentor for William & Mary Law School's Black Law Students Association.
Mrs. Goodwin's passions and practice areas include family law, guardian ad litem practice, and special education law. Outside of practicing law, Mrs. Goodwin is passionate about singing and writing music, spending time with family, and debating the intricacies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe! With Mrs. Goodwin on your case, you can be sure that the attorney-client communication will exceed your standards and that she will fight to bring you justice.
Job Titles:
- Practice Manager, Paralegal
Job Titles:
- Owner
- Partner
- Partner at Akers
- Partner at Akers and Cleator
Thomas E. Cleator, Esq. is a partner at Akers and Cleator Law Group, P.L.L.C. His legal practice is focused on, but not limited to, criminal law, family/domestic practice, and civil litigation. Mr. Cleator graduated from The Citadel in 1989 before spending ten years as a buyer for Bechtel. He then went on to graduate from Regent University School of Law in May 2003 and has been licensed to practice law in Virginia since November 2003. After law school, he spent twelve years at the Virginia State Crime Commission as Staff/Senior Staff Attorney. In 2019, Mr. Cleator joined with W. Peyton Akers, Esq. to establish Akers and Cleator Law Group, P.L.L.C. Mr. Cleator is committed to providing his clients the highest standards of professionalism, knowledge of the law, and advocacy.
Thomas E. Cleator, Esquire is Partner at Akers and Cleator Law Group P.L.L.C. His legal practice is focused on, but not limited to, criminal law, family/domestic practice, and civil litigation. Tom graduated from the Citadel in 1989. He earned his Juris Doctor from Regent University and has been practicing law since 2003.
William "Peyton" Akers is a lifelong native of Williamsburg, Virginia. After graduating from Jamestown High School, he earned his Bachelor of Arts from the Virginia Commonwealth University where he simultaneously acquired skills in leadership and philanthropy as a brother in the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. He continued his education by earning his Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law.
Following law school, he pursued his dream of being a trial attorney with the primary goal of giving back to his community. Mr. Akers quickly developed a reputation for being an aggressive yet compassionate litigator, landing him a spot on The National Trial Lawyers' "Top 40 Under 40" list for criminal defense attorneys. Mr. Akers' dedication to helping those in need is reflected through his indigent defense work and his seats on the boards of multiple nonprofit organizations. He is motivated, competitive, and honest, and he never takes on a case unless an attorney's assistance is truly necessary. Mr. Akers' strong ties to the community and his driven personality have led him to become a reliable and successful advocate for his clients.
William "Peyton" Akers is a lifelong native of Williamsburg, Virginia. After graduating from Jamestown High School, he earned his Bachelor of Arts from the Virginia Commonwealth University where he simultaneously acquired skills in leadership and philanthropy as a brother in the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. Peyton earned his Juris Doctor from Regent University and has been practicing law since 2015.