Neill Averill Wente

Neill was born and raised in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Bedford County, Virginia. Following graduation from Washington and Lee University with a BA in Politics, he worked as an emergency services caseworker for Catholic Social Services in Mobile, Alabama.  In this position, Neill discovered his love for advocacy…helping clients to overcome difficulties which often seemed insurmountable, and decided to pursue a career in law.

Neill attended law school at the University of Kentucky, College of Law, where he graduated with his law degree in 2003.  During law school he clerked for the City of Lexington, Kentucky working in the Law Department, as well as the Planning and Zoning Department, where he became well versed in all facets of land use law and municipal law.

During his first three years as an attorney, Neill worked as a prosecutor in Lexington, Kentucky.  As a prosecutor, Neill managed a large docket, and gained valuable trial experience.  He became adept at the fundamentals of putting on a prima facie case, developed a mastery of evidence, and excelled at the art of argumentation and persuasion.

In 2006 Neill joined the Marine Corps, receiving his commission after 10 weeks of Officer Candidate School.  During more than eight years as an active duty judge advocate, Neill served in many exciting positions.   He deployed to Ramadi, Iraq with 6th Marine Regiment.  He worked for a Navy Command as a military Prosecutor.   His favorite billet was serving as a Military Defense Counsel at Camp Lejeune.  As a Defense Counsel he represented more than 200 Marines and sailors facing court martial or administrative separation.  

Neill left active duty in the summer of 2015 and currently lives with his wife and two young sons in Lexington, Virginia, where he opened his own law practice dedicated to serving clients in city of Lexington as well as the counties of Rockbridge, Bedford, Botetourt, Amherst and Alleghany.  

In his free time Neill enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his family.  He is a congregant at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Lexington.