President

Sarah K. Martz, Esq., the current President of the Virginia Association of Trial Court Staff Attorneys (VATCSA), has served as a Staff Attorney for the Chesapeake Circuit Court since 2023.

Sarah previously served as a judicial law clerk in the Superior Court of Fairbanks, Alaska, and as a legal intern to Judge David Lannetti of the Norfolk Circuit Court. In addition to her court service, she has served as an adjunct professor for undergraduate appellate advocacy students, focusing on legal writing, oral advocacy, and professionalism.

Sarah received her J.D. from Regent University School of Law, where she served as the Director of Legal Research on the Regent Law Moot Court Board, awarded as a Top Oralist and Regional Champion of the ABA NAAC 2021, and coached Regent’s undergraduate competitors in national moot court appellate advocacy competitions.

Vice President & Secretary

Ryan A. Kotrch, Esq., the current Vice President and Secretary of the Virginia Association of Trial Court Staff Attorneys (VATCSA), has served as a Staff Attorney to the Hampton Circuit Court since 2025.

Ryan previously was an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney in the City of Hampton and briefly served as the Staff Attorney to the Williamsburg and James City County Circuit Court. Prior, he was a legal intern to Judge Michael A. Gaten of the Hampton Circuit Court and Judge Jay E. Dugger of the Hampton Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. In addition to his court service, he currently serves by Hampton City Council appointment as Chair of the Citizens Engagement Advisory Review Commission and on the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board.

Ryan is a graduate of Regent University School of Law where he served as Treasurer of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board and Representative to the Council of Graduates Students, and Student Bar Association.

Treasurer

Nathaniel J. Berry, Esq., the current Treasurer of the Virginia Association of Trial Court Staff Attorneys (VATCSA), has served as Chief Staff Attorney for the Chesapeake Circuit Court since 2005.

Prior to his current position, Nathan was an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Portsmouth. He began his legal career as a judicial law clerk for the Norfolk Circuit Court.

In addition to his Court service, Nathan currently serves as the Chair of the Norfolk Police-Fire Trial Board, appointed by Norfolk City Council.

Nathan received his J.D. From the University of Richmond School of Law, where he served as Managing Editor of the Law Review. He also holds an M.B.A. From the University of Richmond and a B.S.B.A from Christopher Newport University. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and multiple federal courts including the United States Supreme Court.