Virginia Victims Fund Director, Shannon Dion, to be Honored as an Influential Women of Law by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly

Press Release Date

Shannon Dion

[Richmond, VA]- On March 27, 2023, Ms. Shannon Dion, Virginia Victims Fund Director, was announced as a member of the Virginia Lawyers Weekly's 2023 class of “Influential Women of Law.”

This awards program honors women attorneys and judges for their excellent work on behalf of the justice system and for their clients, their commitment to their communities and their service to the profession.

Ms. Dion is one of thirty-five (35) honorees who will be honored at a recognition awards event on May 23, 2023, at the John Marshall Ballrooms in downtown Richmond. She will also be profiled in a special supplement in the May 29, 2023 issue of Virginia Lawyers Weekly.

Ms. Dion joined the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission as the Director of the Virginia Victims Fund in January 2023. Prior to joining the Commission, she served as the Director of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Previously, she worked as the Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at DCJS. She has held various leadership positions in the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, the U.S. Department of Justice and the City of Richmond's Commonwealth Attorney's Office. Ms. Dion earned a law degree from the University of Richmond and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia.

About The Commission

The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWC), established in 1918, is an independent judicial and administrative state agency that oversees the workers’ compensation system for employees, employers, and insurers. VWC interprets and applies the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act and resolves claims through hearings and mediation.

The Commission is led by a Senior Leadership team consisting of three Commissioners, an Executive Director and a Chief Deputy Commissioner. Commissioners are selected by the General Assembly and serve six-year terms. Honorable R. Ferrell Newman, Honorable Wesley G. Marshall and Honorable Robert A. Rapaport currently serve as Commissioners. The Commissioners elect a Chairman to serve a three-year term. Commissioner Rapaport currently serves as Chairman. Ms. Evelyn V. McGill is the Commission’s Executive Director and the Honorable James J. Szablewicz is the Commission’s Chief Deputy Commissioner.

Leading the way in electronic data and claims filing systems, in 2021 VWC processed over 34,000 claims and issued over 3,000 judicial opinions. VWC also administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, the Uninsured Employer’s Fund, and adjudicates claims under the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, VWC operates regional offices in Bristol, Virginia Beach, Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Manassas and Fairfax.

For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please email Charles Steepleton or call 877-664-2566.