Making An Impact: Public Defender Gregory Copeland

by Chuck Cascio, Author and Former South Lakes Teacher

Gregory Copeland

Has a crime been committed?

Is the person charged actually guilty?

Does the accused have legal means available to defend themselves?

Answering these questions and providing these essential legal services has been the career of Gregory (Greg) Copeland, a 1983 South Lakes High School graduate, for 30 years. The criminal defense specialist has dedicated his career to helping clients navigate the complicated, sometimes intimidating, criminal justice system.

“I'm a criminal defense attorney, and I’ll admit that I didn’t initially expect to enjoy the work as much as I do, but it’s been both challenging and rewarding," Greg says. "What I’ve come to appreciate most is the opportunity to help people who are facing one of the most difficult moments in their lives. Being charged with a criminal offense can be overwhelming, and I take seriously the responsibility of guiding clients through that process and ensuring they’re treated fairly under the law."

After graduating from James Madison University with a degree in political science, criminal justice, and paralegal studies, Greg enrolled at Howard University, where he pursued a master’s degree while working in the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He then left the D.C. area and earned his law degree at the University of Florida College of Law, passed the bar exam, and began his legal career as an Assistant Public Defender in Portsmouth, Virginia. The next step for Greg was to establish his own law practice, "focusing primarily on criminal defense work—first in Virginia then almost exclusively in the District of Columbia."

Greg moved to Reston from the Bronx, New York, at an early age and still lives in the community. “Memories of growing up here really stand out," he says, "especially when I think back to my years in the Bronx, where options for recreation were limited mostly to asphalt playgrounds."

In Reston, Greg enjoyed "playing tennis, swimming, and spending long days outside." There is a particular summertime memory that Greg says "always sticks with me. A group of us—probably three carloads full—made it our mission to swim in every single pool in Reston in one day! And we did! At each pool, we’d run into classmates who lived in that neighborhood, which made it feel like the whole community was connected. We’d jump in, cool off, and then head off to the next pool."

Greg also recalls "the house parties. Every weekend, someone’s parents were out of town, and the gatherings were full of music, laughter…and occasionally visits from the police. Those were some of the most memorable nights of my youth."

Another important characteristic of Reston that Greg says "definitely shaped my worldview in a positive way is the racial and cultural diversity here. That mixture was relatively rare in Northern Virginia at the time. From the beginning, Reston stood out as a leader in embracing a genuinely diverse community, and that spirit is still very much alive today."

Greg notes that those community characteristics had a profound impact on his career. “Reston was founded on principles of inclusion and diversity, and that legacy clearly remains in its schools and neighborhoods. Growing up here gave me the chance to interact with people from all backgrounds, and that shaped how I see the world and how I approach my work."

The murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, 2020 brought a response in Reston that Greg says reflects the community's values: "A core memory is seeing the long stretch of people lining Reston Parkway, from South Lakes Drive past the Town Center, all standing together in solidarity. There was a strong sense of neighborhood, connection, and unity."

From the asphalt of the Bronx to the pools and lakes of Reston and the diversity that Greg values, it is clear that the community impacted his career choice: "South Lakes High School in particular gave me a strong foundation, not just academically but socially. It was the kind of place where you could find your footing, make real connections, and start figuring out who you wanted to be."

As a result, Greg has committed himself to making an impact by helping people who may find themselves in situations where they might not otherwise have a voice, a career decision he embraces: "The work is never boring—every case is different, and every client brings a unique set of circumstances. I’m particularly drawn to the way constitutional principles come into play, offering a framework for fairness and justice even in the most complex situations."