also known as Paula R. Bernstein
Paula Bernstein Hough is a skilled and accomplished legal practitioner with over two decades of experience in criminal defense, civil rights advocacy, and firm management. She co-founded BernsteinHough, P.C., a highly respected private practice known for its strategic and compassionate representation in high-stakes criminal cases, civil commitment hearings, and post-conviction matters. Mrs. Hough has extensive litigation experience, leadership roles in bar associations, and a commitment to mentorship and legal education. Her work has shaped the legal profession through advocacy, policy engagement, and professional development.
Mrs. Hough graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Law. After graduation, she worked for the National Legal Aid and Defender Association before enrolling in law school at the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. During law school, she was awarded the Eleanor & James Clanton Haynes Memorial Law and Public Policy Fellowship, served as Senior Editor for a Law Journal, and volunteered for the Innocence Project, investigating a case of wrongful conviction. She also worked full-time as the Information Specialist for The Death Penalty Information Center, where she delivered presentations on capital punishment to state, national, and international organizations and provided expert testimony before the Judiciary Committee of the Maryland House of Delegates. She graduated cum laude in 2002.
Paula Bernstein Hough was admitted to the Virginia Bar in 2002 and to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in 2012.
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Practice Areas
23 years
23 years
18 years
Sometimes
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Chat withState: Virginia
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
4110 East Parham Road, Suite 201, Henrico, VA, 23228
57 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 10 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Randy | January 10, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
I'd give her a 6 if it were available
Paula did a fantastic job in my defense. Starting with the list of things she recommended would be good to do before court - - very straight forward and played a positive roll in getting my 90+ speeding reduced to improper control. Paula presented a very succinct description of my background and deme...
Thank you for following my advice and understanding my strategy! I am so glad we were able to obtain such a favorable outcome!!
Posted by anonymous | January 10, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Reckless Driving!
I hired Paula to represent my son in a reckless driving charge. My son was driving 119 in a 55 zone on the streets. Yes 119 not a typo. Paula was very upfront and honest with me and told me he was definitely looking at jail time. She made several recommendations for what my son could do with the hop...
I am so happy I was able to help your son! He certainly deserves credit for following my advice and doing everything I asked. All of his hard work definitely made a difference in the outcome! Thank you for trusting me with his case.
Posted by Kim | July 25, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
Excellent attorney!
I contacted Paula to help my daughter with a reckless driving ticket. From the first contact she eased my fears and guided us in every step. She is very knowledgeable, patient and understanding. She explained all the possible outcomes and how we would handle each one. In the end she after she prese...
I know this was such a stressful situation for you and your daughter. It makes me so happy that the case was dismissed! I wish her so much success going forward.
Posted by Johnny K | April 19, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket
experience count
Experience counts, and Paula Hough has the expertise in the traffic case and knowledge inside the Hanover county Court. My son was in an incident coming home from W&M and was caught by the speed trap. Attention to details from very first email exchange [during the weekend] to the last meeting at the ...
Posted by anonymous | March 18, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Paula Bernstein Hough
Paula did an excellent job with our case. She was knowledgeable, patient with questions, a good communicator, and genuine. She also had good command of the facts of the law and was confident in her work. We trusted her completely and highly recommend her.
"I regularly see Paula in court trying cases. She is extremely knowledgeable of the law and zealous in her defense of her clients. She is one of the top criminal defense attorneys in the area, so I highly recommend Paula to anyone seeking an attorney."
"I have known Paula Bernstein for my entire legal career. She was first my supervisor when I was an intern, then later we worked together as public defenders. She has always been able to help me with difficult legal issues, negotiating strategies, and trial methods. I highly recommend Paula Bernstein to anyone looking for strong representation from an experienced lawyer."
Criminal defense lawyer
2002
Eleanor & James Clanton Haynes Law and Public Policy Fellowship, Columbus School of Law
2011 - Present
Partner, BernsteinHough, P.C.
2009 - 2011
President, Brisendine, Overand, Buster & Bernstein
2008 - 2010
Volunteer, Central Virginia Legal Aid
2007 - 2009
Attorney, The Gordon Law Firm
2003 - 2007
Senior Assistant Public Defender, Fairfax County Public Defender's Office
1998 - 2003
Information Specialist, Death Penalty Informaiton Center
2012 - Present
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of VirginiaAttorney
2008 - Present
Greater Richmond Criminal Bar AssociationMember
2008 - Present
Henrico County Bar AssociationMember
2019 - 2020
Greater Richmond Criminal Bar AssociationPresident
2018 - 2019
Richmond Criminal Bar AssociationVice Presidnet
2017 - 2018
Greater Richmond Criminal Bar AssociationTreasurer
2016 - 2017
Greater Richmond Criminal Bar AssociationSecretary
2002
JD - Juris Doctor
1995
Bachelor of Arts degree
2019
Do I have to be Civil?: Handling forfeiture, expungement, restoration of rights, and other civil matters that arise in criminal cases.
2017
Planning Committee-Bench Bar Conference
2001
English
Legal Answers
Do I need a lawyer for my first offense selling alcohol to a minor?
08 Sep 2018
Resolution for very first speeding ticket 58/45?
11 Sep 2018
Can I get my felony expunged after a plea deal?
08 Sep 2018