For Natalia Wilson Armstrong, the practice of law has always been about helping others. Becoming a lawyer has enabled her to support others through her work as a family and matrimonial attorney and through her long-standing community involvement.
As a former WBAF Board member, Natalia remains deeply committed to giving back. As a first-generation college student on both sides of her family, she understands personally the importance of organizations that create opportunity and expand access to justice. “Grant recipients of the WBAF are critical to our community and promote access to justice,” she says. Natalia credits her father for telling her as a child she could be a lawyer. The support available to her family and programs funded by local nonprofit organizations helped set her on the path to becoming a lawyer. “As the child of an immigrant father and raised in a family with limited economic resources, I was the beneficiary of many of the programs that are funded by these local foundations.”
Today, Natalia is a Principal of Ain & Bank, P.C with nearly two decades of experience in matrimonial and family law. After beginning her legal career as a Law Clerk to the Honorable John Ramsey Johnson of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Natalia started practicing family law in Virginia Beach before she returned to the D.C. area. In addition to her practice, she serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the American University, Washington College of Law.
At a Glance: Natalia Wilson Armstrong
Practice Area: Family & Matrimonial Law
Current WBA Roles: Board Member; Past Treasurer
Favorite WBA Experiences So Far: WBA/WBAF Annual Dinner
Title: Principal
Firm/Company: Ain & Bank, P.C.
Finding Community Through the WBA
When reflecting on her path to the WBA, Natalia points to Rita Bank as the person who introduced her to the WBA community. Rita, a founder and named partner at Ain & Bank and then an active WBA member, encouraged Natalia to get involved. Natalia’s first WBA event was the 2010 WBA/WBAF Annual Dinner, which she attended solo after Rita had a last-minute conflict. When Natalia arrived, she found such a welcoming community that she has made a point of attending every WBA/WBAF Annual Dinner since 2010.
Natalia has since taken on leadership roles in both organizations, including serving as WBA Treasurer and Board member and as a WBAF Board member. She especially values the Annual Dinner because “it highlights the unity of the organizations and a recognition of the sisterhood between them.”
A Legacy of Strength and Wisdom
Natalia explains that her mother’s support and encouragement helped shape her career. Her mother faced considerable adversity, navigating immigration challenges on behalf of Natalia’s father, an immigrant from Panama, coping with economic hardship, and raising six children, including one born with special needs. “Despite this, she is the one that makes everyone feel better when things get hard. She is an advisor to everyone,” Natalia says.
Early in her career, Natalia wanted to return to the D.C. area to practice. She crafted what was, in her own words, a “generic resume” designed to cast a wide net for employment options. As a result, Natalia believes she undersold her experience in family law. After receiving a personalized rejection letter from Ain & Bank, Natalia called her mother, who encouraged her to contact Rita Bank to express her interest and her actual experience in family law. Natalia took her mom’s advice, called Rita, and told her story. That conversation led to an opportunity at the firm where Natalia would ultimately become a Principal and Managing Partner.
Beyond the Office
In addition to her current and past roles with the WBA, Natalia is the immediate past President of the District of Columbia Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), President-Elect of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation (AAML Foundation), and she has been a Fellow of the AAML since 2017. She has also served on numerous local and national boards and previously served as President of the Fairfax Law Foundation.
Looking Ahead
“I’ve always wanted to be in a position to support others, not just my family, but also the community,” Natalia says. She recognizes that charitable giving is measured not only in monetary contributions, but also in time, talent, mentorship, and service.
Through her legal career, teaching, professional leadership, and her dedication to supporting others, Natalia continues to put into practice the values that have guided her from the beginning. WBA is fortunate to benefit from Natalia’s continued leadership and dedicated service on its Board.