Hunton & Williams LLP partner Maya M. Eckstein was named to the 2015 Class of “Influential Women of Virginia” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. The honor recognizes women from all fields, including law, business, health care, education and the arts, who make notable contributions to their professions, communities and society.

“Maya’s career accomplishments have been extensive and impressive, with each case having its own particular set of challenges,” said John D. O’Neill, managing partner of the firm’s Richmond office. “She overcomes these by an ability to approach cases as compelling stories to be told rather than presentations of complicated technical matters.”

As head of the firm’s intellectual property practice group, Eckstein advises companies and organizations on how to protect their valuable intellectual property rights. She represents plaintiffs and defendants in patent infringement disputes and has significant experience planning, coordinating and executing the defense of complex litigation involving multiple defendants and jurisdictions.

With past service on Hunton & Williams’ recruiting and pro bono committees, Eckstein regularly serves as a mentor to young lawyers. She has long placed a high priority on helping to develop female lawyers —especially in the male-dominated areas of patent litigation and prosecution. She is equally dedicated to her community, working pro bono on such matters as an international child abduction case and serving as a Governor-appointed member of the Virginia Israel Advisory Board, a state agency whose mission is to serve as a bridge for Israeli companies who want to establish or expand their business in the United States by locating in Virginia.