about Laura Hughes

Raised in Chesapeake, Virginia, Laura Hughes has

lived in Hampton Roads with most of her adult life

spent right here in Virginia Beach.

​

Laura is married to Herb and raised two children

in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools system.

She has two grandchildren.

A graduate of Regent University School of Law,

Laura earned her Juris Doctorate and currently

practices family law with the firm of Cordell & Cordell.

​

Prior to joining Cordell & Cordell, Laura practiced criminal defense, traffic, civil litigation, wills, bankruptcy, contested custody, uncontested divorce, and special education. She has also worked as a CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) and as a Special Education Advocate.

​

Laura was elected to the Virginia Beach City Public School Board in 2018 and until
2022, when she was redistricted out of her seat after a court order required that city districts be redrawn. Laura opted to bow out of a race for reelection so Carolyn Weems could continue her campaign for the seat. In resigning her position, Laura avoided what would have been a Republican vs. Republican election.

She serves on the Board of the Virginia Beach Optimist’s Club, a children's advocacy group.
She is also active with her neighbors in managing a colony of feral cats where they practice Trap-Neuter-Release with the help of Cat Rescue, Inc. and Billy the Kitten Rescue.
​
Laura worked in the hospitality industry for many years. After witnessing the devastating effects of COVID closures and the then-Governor Northam’s draconian restrictions, she started the “Friday Night Tailgate Club” as a way to help support local restaurants and their employees. This club continues to meet each Friday at various, locally owned restaurants throughout Virginia Beach.

​