Shemeka Hankins
When your freedom, reputation, career, or future is at risk, experience matters. Shemeka Hankins provides disciplined, strategic, and trial-ready representation for individuals facing criminal charges and serious legal challenges throughout Hampton Roads.
Quick Facts
Bar Admissions & Education
· Virginia Supreme Court & State Bar Admission
· United States Eastern District of Virginia, Federal District Court Bar Admission
· United States Supreme Court Bar Admission
· Regent University School of Law – J.D.
· College of William and Mary – B.A.
Experience
· Former Prosecutor – Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
· Former Prosecutor – Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
· Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
· Experienced Trial Attorney
· Jury Trial Experience
· Juvenile Defense Experience
· Trained DUI Attorney
· Drug Forfeiture Attorney
· Former Police Academy Advisor
· Hampton Roads Court Experience
· United States Federal District Court Experience
Awards & Associations
· Rising Star Award, Super Lawyers
· Avvo Rating of 10.0 Superb in Criminal Defense
· Legal Elite Award, Virginia Business Magazine
· Top Forty Under 40, Inside Business Journal
· Leaders in the Law Up and Coming Lawyers, Virginia Lawyers Weekly
· Influential Women of Law Award
· Feminine Freedom Award Honoree, AACCS
· Excellence in Lawyering Award, Regent University Black Law Students Association
· Virginia State Bar Local Bar Leader of the Year
· South Hampton Roads Bar Association Public Practitioner of the Year
· Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Outstanding Service Award
· Virginia State Bar Association
· Virginia Beach Bar Association
· South Hampton Roads Bar Association
· Virginia State Bar, Criminal Law Section Board of Governors
· Virginia State Bar, Diversity Section Board of Governors
· Virginia Law Related Education Institute, Board Member
Contact Information
· Invictus Law 1240 Perimeter Parkway, Ste. 404 Virginia Beach, VA 23454
· Office: 757-337-2727Office: 757-337-2727
About Shemeka Hankins
Shemeka Hankins is a partner and criminal defense attorney at Invictus Law in Virginia Beach. As a partner at Invictus Law, Shemeka plays an important leadership role within the firm while continuing to focus on representing clients facing serious criminal allegations. She is committed to providing disciplined, strategic, and trial-ready representation while helping clients navigate difficult situations with clarity and confidence.
As a former prosecutor and experienced trial attorney, Shemeka understands how criminal cases are investigated, evaluated, and prosecuted. She uses that experience to help clients navigate difficult situations with clarity, preparation, and strong advocacy.
At Invictus Law, Shemeka works to restore order when criminal accusations create chaos.
Before joining the defense side, Shemeka served as a prosecutor in both Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Her experience inside two local Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Offices provides valuable insight into how prosecutors evaluate cases, negotiate resolutions, and prepare matters for trial in Hampton Roads courts.
Shemeka understands that criminal accusations can affect far more than a court case. Clients are often worried about their freedom, employment, professional licenses, reputation, military career, or future opportunities. She helps clients understand the process, prepare for what lies ahead, and make informed decisions during stressful situations.
Her approach reflects the mission of Invictus Law: restoring order when legal challenges create chaos.
Practice
Focus
Shemeka Hankins is a partner at Invictus Law and focuses her practice on criminal defense matters, including:
What Clients Value About Shemeka Hankins
Clients consistently value:
· Strategic preparation
· Former prosecutor experience
· Trial-ready advocacy
· Client education and communication
· Honest guidance
· Responsiveness and professionalism
· Calm leadership during stressful situations
· Practical and disciplined defense strategies
Jurisdictions
Ms. Hankins practices in the following local courts:
· Virginia Beach Courts
· Norfolk Courts
· Chesapeake Courts
· Portsmouth Courts
· Suffolk Courts
· Newport News Courts
· Hampton Courts
Why Clients Hire Shemeka Hankins
Former Prosecutorial Insight
Before defending clients, Shemeka served as a prosecutor in both the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. That experience provides valuable insight into how criminal cases are reviewed, charged, negotiated, and litigated throughout Hampton Roads.
She understands how local prosecutors evaluate evidence, prepare witnesses, negotiate plea agreements, and build cases for trial. Her experience working inside two major local prosecutor’s offices gives clients the advantage of an attorney who understands both the courtroom process and the strategies commonly used by the government in criminal cases.
That perspective allows her to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and develop strategic defenses designed to protect her clients’ rights, record, and future.
Focused Criminal Defense Representation
Unlike firms that divide attention across multiple unrelated practice areas, Shemeka’s practice is focused on criminal defense. Her work is dedicated to representing individuals facing criminal charges, investigations, DUI allegations, juvenile matters, traffic offenses, and other serious criminal accusations throughout Hampton Roads.
That focused approach allows her to remain immersed in the local criminal courts, criminal procedures, prosecutorial practices, and defense strategies that directly impact her clients’ cases. Clients benefit from an attorney whose practice is centered on defending against criminal allegations and protecting their rights, freedom, reputation, and future.
Shemeka works closely with clients to explain the process, evaluate options, and build a defense strategy tailored to the specific facts of the case. Whether a client is facing a misdemeanor or serious felony allegation, preparation and early action matter.
Trial-Ready Advocacy
Every criminal case should be approached with preparation, attention to detail, and strategic focus. Whether a matter is resolved through negotiation, dismissal efforts, or litigation, Shemeka prepares every case with the understanding that preparation creates leverage and protects clients throughout the process.
As an attorney with jury trial experience, Shemeka understands how to present cases effectively in the courtroom, challenge evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and advocate persuasively before judges and juries. Her courtroom experience helps clients feel confident that their case is being handled by an attorney prepared for every stage of the process.
Clients benefit from having an attorney prepared not only to negotiate when appropriate, but also to aggressively defend their rights at trial when necessary.
Clear Communication, Client Education, and Guidance
Facing criminal charges can feel overwhelming. Clients deserve honest guidance, responsive communication, and a legal team committed to keeping them informed throughout the process.
One of Shemeka’s priorities is client education. She believes clients make better decisions and feel more confident when they fully understand the legal process, the allegations they are facing, their options, and what to expect moving forward.
Shemeka takes the time to explain the process clearly, answer questions thoroughly, and help clients understand both the legal and practical realities of their case. She works to ensure clients understand the strategy behind important decisions and the potential outcomes at each stage of the case.
Her goal is not only to defend her clients, but also to ensure they feel informed, prepared, and supported throughout the process. By helping clients stay educated and prepared, she helps reduce uncertainty and allows them to navigate difficult situations with greater confidence.
Reviews & Results
Our Attorneys
Eric Leckie
Founding Attorney. Marine Corps JAG. Former Prosecutor.
Founder of Invictus Law and a former United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate with over 23 years of trial experience in federal criminal defense, military law, and security clearance matters.
Shemeka Hankins
Former Prosecutor, Decorated Trial Attorney & Fearless Criminal Defense Lawyer
Partner. Former Prosecutor with the Virginia Beach and Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney's Office, recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and Virginia State Bar Local Bar Leader of the Year.
Yolanda Beasley
Family Law and Trial Attorney. Certified Guardian ad Litem.
Virginia Beach native and certified Guardian ad Litem recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2023, 2024) and National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.
Frequently Asked Questions
What criminal matters does Shemeka Hankins handle?
Shemeka represents clients in DUI cases, drug offenses, assault charges, gun charges, theft crimes, juvenile matters, probation violations, traffic offenses, expungements, and other criminal defense matters throughout Hampton Roads.
Why does former prosecutor experience matter?
Former prosecutors understand how criminal cases are reviewed, charged, negotiated, and prepared for trial. That experience can provide valuable insight when developing defense strategies and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a case.
Can Shemeka Hankins help if I am under investigation?
Yes. Speaking with an attorney early in an investigation can help protect your rights and prevent mistakes that may negatively affect your case later.
What should I do if the police want to question me?
You should avoid answering questions or making statements without speaking to an attorney first. Even informal conversations with law enforcement can affect your case. Contacting an attorney early can help protect your rights
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor charge?
Even misdemeanor convictions can carry serious consequences, including jail time, fines, driver’s license issues, professional licensing concerns, and permanent criminal records. Speaking with an attorney early can help you understand the risks and options available.
Legal Insights
