Archives:
April/May 2004 (PDF)
February/March 2004 (PDF)
December 2003/January 2004 (PDF)
October/November 2003 (PDF)
September 2003 (PDF)
July 2003 (PDF)
June 2003 (PDF)
April 2003 (PDF)
March 2003 (PDF)
January 2003 (PDF)
December 2002
October 2002
September 2002
July 2002
June 2002
April 2002
March 2002
January 2002
December 2001
October 2001
September 2001
July 2001
June 2001
April 2001
March 2001
January 2001
December 2000
October 2000
September 2000
July 2000
June 2000
April 2000
March 2000
January 2000

Articles in the following issues are available from the VBA office:
December 1999
October 1999
September 1999
July 1999
June 1999
April 1999
March 1999
January 1999
December 1998
October 1998
September 1998

NOTE: Certain links in past issues' text may no longer be active.

Articles from the VBA Journal, 1975-98
Copies of VBA Journal articles are available from the VBA office, (804) 644-0041 or thevba@vba.org.

Advertising rates and specifications

June/July 2004
Volume XXX, Number 3 (PDF version)

President’s Page:
The Virginians' Pledge: Sic Semper Tyrannis
E. Tazewell Ellett

Presidents Council News:
Bar presidents begin fundraising for legal aid

The VBA’s 114th Summer Meeting:
CLEs, collegiality, cool fun in the hot summertime and a
registration form for last-minute attendees

Legislative Focus/Tougher DUI Laws:
Warner signs DUI bills, receives NTSB award
From news reports

2004 Legislation: The Final Tally

Across the Commonwealth
VBA RACs are rolling throughout Virginia • Virginia Law Foundation seeks 2005 Fellows nominations • Capital punishment issues are highlighted in Criminal Law track programming at Summer Meeting • 2005 legislative intentions to be reviewed by VBA Board of Governors in July • New VBA Foundation Patrons • Ferrell honored with John Marshall Teaching Award • Fall conference dates announced

News in Brief

Calendar

President’s Page:
The Virginians' Pledge: Sic Semper Tyrannis
E. Tazewell Ellett

In the Virginia Convention of 1776, held in Williamsburg in May and June 1776, the British colony of Virginia took several courageous and visionary steps that ultimately changed the world.

First, the Convention adopted Edmund Pendleton’s Resolutions for Independence instructing the Virginia delegates to the Continental Congress to introduce a resolution calling for independence of all the colonies. That resolution, which was moved at the Continental Congress by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, stated that the colonies “are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.” Lee’s motion passed the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776, which led to the passage of the Declaration of Independence two days later.

Second, the Virginia Convention created for Virginia a new order of governance, and boldly declared that new order to the world. The new order in Virginia would be a sharp departure from the British government of the time, which was so despised in colonial Virginia for its arrogant abuse of power, tyrannical governmental actions, and infringement of individual liberties. In the new order, Virginia would be independent of the British monarchy and would take on a republic form of government dedicated to the commonweal, and with leaders elected by the people. This new order was spelled out in two groundbreaking documents passed by the Convention, the Constitution of Virginia of 1776 (Virginia’s first written constitution) and the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Under the Constitution of Virginia, political power would be exercised by the elected representatives of a sovereign people. To prevent the recurrence of the abuses of executive authority that the colony had experienced at the hands of Britain, the Constitution of Virginia severely restricted the powers of the executive branch of government and gave to the elected representative legislative body, the General Assembly, the power to make the laws and to choose the governor, the attorney general, and all judges and other state officials. Many of the principles of representative and limited government enunciated in the Constitution of Virginia would later serve as the foundation for the United States Constitution, which in turn became a model for other written constitutions around the world.

The Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, was a declaration of the inviolability of specifically enumerated individual rights and limitations on instruments of government oppression. It declared the protection of such fundamental liberties as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, jury trials, and the right of petition. The Declaration of Rights was incorporated into the Constitution of Virginia as a “Bill of Rights,” and later served as the model for the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and similar declarations in the constitutions of many other states.

The name “Commonwealth of Virginia” was chosen to emphasize that in this new order in Virginia the elective rights of the people would be emphasized over the sovereign power of government. The seal which was chosen for the Commonwealth (and which has been incorporated into the state flag) further emphasized the determination of the Commonwealth and its citizens to unwaveringly oppose tyranny; protect the equality, dignity, and individual rights of every citizen; and serve the common welfare. On the front of the seal, the Roman goddess Virtus stands triumphant with her foot on the prostrate figure of a man depicting Tyranny, with his royal crown fallen to the ground beside him. The motto below states boldly “Sic Semper Tyrannis,” or “Thus Ever to Tyrants,” referring not just to the expected victory over the British crown, but to Virginia’s declaration to the world that its citizens henceforth would stand ever ready to fight tyranny whenever and wherever it appeared as a threat to the freedoms and the rights of its citizens. The front of the seal has been described as “a persuasive portrayal of Virginia as the steadfast victor over oppression, wholly dedicated to service with firm patience for the common weal, willing to defend herself courageously whenever despotism may rear its ugly head.”

The reverse side of the seal depicts the figures of three Roman goddesses who represent the blessings which flow from freedom and peace. One of the figures, Libertas, the Roman goddess of individual liberties, emphasizes the new commonwealth’s concern for the rights and liberties of every individual. At the top of this side of the seal is the slogan “Perseverando,” expressing Virginians’ readiness to persevere in doing whatever is necessary to maintain these blessings.
Thus, the people of Virginia, from its very beginnings as an independent state, have boldly pledged their devotion to the fundamental principles of limiting the power of government and protecting the equality, dignity, and individual rights of every citizen; and their commitment to preserve those principles, and the benefits that flow from them, by eternal readiness to combat any form of tyranny which might undermine them, whenever and wherever found.

I would admit that at this point in the early 21st century there appears to be little threat to the preservation of these principles in Virginia from aggressive foreign powers or individual domestic tyrants. Nevertheless, that does not mean that Virginians now can afford to lessen their devotion to these principles or their commitment to preserve them through constant readiness to oppose tyranny. Unfortunately, government tyranny, injustice, and oppression is not limited to the handiwork of foreign powers or individual despots. Such tyranny, injustice, and oppression also can be found in the faceless systems, processes and procedures established by the institution of government, even when there is no easily identifiable responsible party. In fact, given the way modern government bureaucracies work, more often than not there is no one party responsible for the injustices wrought by government. Rather, these injustices can best be described as the byproduct of impersonal government “systems” acting through their many individual components, but with little oversight (or even awareness), by any particular government official or agency, of the consequences of the cumulative actions of the parts.

I am concerned that many citizens of Virginia are overlooking serious government-facilitated injustices in our Commonwealth today. The busy and fast pace of our personal and professional lives seems to be distracting us from paying adequate attention to certain government-created systems, processes, and procedures that appear to be imposing appalling injustices on the citizens that are caught up in them. I would venture to guess that Virginians of our generation are just as wary of government tyranny as were previous generations, but it seems that we have blinders on when it comes to spotting it. Our attention appears to be focused only on spotting and reacting to highly visible attacks on our liberties – the armada on the horizon, if you will – while we overlook the smaller, less obvious encroachments right under our noses. Elements of government injustice and oppression seem to swirl around us unnoticed until they happen to touch us individually or a family member, friend, or colleague.

I firmly believe that the Virginians of this generation, no less than the Virginians of 1776, must be diligent in identifying, and courageous and persistent in opposing, government injustice, oppression, and tyranny of all types in our society. It seems to me that the preservation of the individual liberties and rights that so many Virginians have fought and died to win ultimately depends on it.

I find strong support for this belief in Sections 3 and 15 of Article I of both the Constitution of Virginia of 1776 and the current Constitution of Virginia, which make clear that the preservation of our free government, and of the blessings of liberty, depends on a “firm adherence to justice,” and on Virginia’s citizens’ fulfilling their civic duties; and that whenever any government is found to be inadequately ensuring the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, the citizens have the inalienable right to take appropriate steps to reform it in a manner most conducive to the public interest.

In future President’s Pages, I will be addressing certain of these government systems, processes and procedures in the Commonwealth that appear to me to have created what amounts to government-facilitated injustice and oppression – a modern form of government tyranny. I believe all Virginians need to be focusing their attention on these very serious matters. I will ask you to conduct your own independent assessment of these situations. If you conclude, as I have, that they amount to a form of 21st-century government tyranny, I will ask you to do your part to help reform them. As Virginians, this is our heritage and our duty.
Sic Semper Tyrannis! Return to Top

Presidents Council News:
Bar presidents begin fundraising for legal aid

This month, the elected leaders of Virginia’s statewide voluntary and mandatory bar groups are joining together to launch a fundraising campaign for legal aid programs in the Commonwealth.

Every Virginia lawyer will receive a letter requesting him or her to make a tax-deductible donation to the Legal Services Corporation of Virginia, the umbrella organization designated by the Virginia State Bar and the General Assembly to fund a network of legal aid organizations throughout Virginia.

The bar presidents note that for every dollar invested in legal aid, two dollars are recovered in economic benefits for the clients served; these dollars circulate in local economies and generate more spending at the local level.

Legal aid budgets, however, are presently in a tenuous state of existence. With revenues down, many programs that assist the indigent in gaining access to justice will be forced to curtail their operations.

Legal aid programs served more than 79,000 low-income Virginians in 2003. If programs are cut back, waiting lists will grow longer as legal aid lawyers strain to meet the need, and many people will be left without representation in cases which involve such key areas as family law, housing issues and consumer law, with dire implications for Virginia communities.

Therefore, the Presidents Council decided to take the unprecedented step of campaigning for funds and increased awareness of the possible financial peril for legal services in Virginia.

It is recognized that many Virginia lawyers already support legal aid entities through financial contributions and provision of pro bono publico legal services, and Presidents Council members encourage lawyers to continue those actions, just as the VBA Community Service Program encourages lawyers to volunteer legal and nonlegal services to their communities.
The Council also recognizes that lawyers who accept court appointment to represent indigent criminal defendants contribute invaluable service to the criminal justice system in what often amounts to the provision of pro bono services.

In the most recent biennium, federal domestic violence funding for Virginia legal aid entities has declined by $1.2 million, despite studies showing that legal aid is the only public service that reduces domestic abuse in the long term. Additionally, low interest rates have produced a projected $1.4 million shortfall in legal aid revenue from the voluntary Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program during this current fiscal year, and low yields from IOLTA are expected to continue into the coming fiscal year. By the end of this month, the statewide shortfall from those two sources is expected to reach $2.6 million.

As a result, many legal aid programs expect to be forced to decrease services, lay off staff and close offices.

The effects of such actions on the lives of indigent Virginians, and on communities throughout the Commonwealth, could be devastating.

Rule 6.1 of the Supreme Court of Virginia sets an aspirational goal for lawyers to contribute at least two percent of the professional time to the provision of pro bono publico legal services; the rule also states that direct financial support is allowed as an alternative to donations of time and effort.
For a lawyer who charges $125 per hour for professional services, a $500 contribution to LSCV would represent the equivalent of four hours of pro bono publico legal services. Such a donation, multiplied many times, would go a long way toward ensuring that low-income citizens of Virginia will continue to receive legal services through the Commonwealth’s legal aid organizations.

The following figures are based on the experience of one legal aid program in Virginia; average costs vary from program to program, but these show how contributions can make a positive impact on Virginians’ lives:

• A donation of $1000 can keep two families from being evicted and becoming homeless;
• $600 can put a scam artist, preying on the elderly, out of business;
• $500 can stop the battering of a spouse and children, and help them find a new life;
• $400 can secure child support for a single-parent household;
• $250 can get unemployment benefits for a single mother;
• $150 can stop a garnishment or attachment of an exempt account, wages or a vehicle; and
• $100 can ease the mind of an elderly Virginian by providing a durable power of attorney, medical directive and will.

Contributions made through the Presidents Council Campaign for Legal Aid will be used by the Legal Services Corporation of Virginia to ensure continuity of programs throughout Virginia. Funds will be distributed to programs based on the need in each service area. The Presidents Council will continue to monitor future developments in legal aid funding.

Lawyers and others who wish to make contributions may use the donation slip below, which includes instructions for payment and mailing. Return to Top

The following organizations are represented on the Presidents Council and support the Campaign for Legal Aid:
Asian-American Bar Association of Virginia
Corporate Counsel Section of the Virginia State Bar
Hispanic Bar Association of Virginia
Local Government Attorneys of Virginia
Old Dominion Bar Association
Virginia Association of Black Women Attorneys
Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys
Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
The Virginia Bar Association
Virginia State Bar
Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
Virginia Women Attorneys Association
Return to Top

Legislative Focus/Tougher DUI Laws:
Warner signs DUI bills, receives NTSB award

From news reports – On May 27, Governor Mark R. Warner ceremonially signed into law 25 bills that establish tougher penalties on DUI offenders. These bills followed the recommendations made last year by the Governor’s Task Force to Combat Drunk Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol.

“Today’s recognition is a testament to the recommendations of the Task Force, the actions of several legislators, and the tireless efforts by many advocacy groups,” said Governor Warner.“These bills take another step to ensure that those who continue to drive while intoxicated will not be allowed to remain a threat on Virginia’s roads.”

During the ceremony at the State Capitol, Governor Warner also accepted an award from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for the state’s initiative in combating drunk and drugged driving.

NTSB Chair Ellen Engleman Conners presented the award, noting that Virginia’s actions will challenge other states to “get serious about alcohol and drug impaired drivers.” Seven of Virginia’s new laws are consistent with NTSB recommendations targeting hard-core drinking drivers. Conners noted that hard-core drinking drivers put everyone at risk because they drive with a high blood alcohol concentration and often have multiple impaired driving offenses.

VBA Executive Vice President C.B. Arrington Jr. was a member of the Task Force.

The following bills, with their sponsors, were included in the package signed by Governor Warner:

HB 43, Del. Gary Reese (R-Oak Hill): Enables offenders to participate in prevention, intervention, and treatment programs prescribed by the courts for DUI convictions.

HB 127, Del. David Albo (R-Springfield): Provides that repeat DUI offenders who refuse to take a blood alcohol test will be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor or Class 1 misdemeanor, depending on the number of previous convictions.

HB 217, Del. Clifford Athey (R-Front Royal): Requires first-time DUI offenders to pay a minimum, mandatory fine of $250.

HB 303, Del. William Fralin (R-Roanoke): Requires DUI offenders, in addition to all the other fines, fees and expenses, to reimburse the locality in which the offense occurred for as much as $250 to cover costs of firefighting, rescue and emergency services.

HB 557, Del. Beverly Sherwood (R-Winchester): Makes driving in contravention of a restricted license issued because of a DUI conviction equal to driving after forfeiture of a license for a DUI conviction.

HB 594, Del. William Janis (R-Oilville): Requires that, at the time of arrest for a DUI, local law enforcement will report the offense to the Central Criminal Records Exchange; thus, drunk driving will go on the offender’s criminal record.

HB 664, Del. Robert Bell (R-Charlottesville): Allows law enforcement to arrest an individual involved in a motor vehicle crash within three hours of the crash, without a warrant and at any location if the officer has probable cause to suspect the person was driving while intoxicated.

HB 667, Del. Robert Bell (R-Charlottesville): Lowers the threshold for driving with an elevated BAC. Driving with a BAC of 0.15 percent, previously 0.20 percent, will get a drunk driver five days mandatory confinement and more for each subsequent offense. Driving with a BAC of 0.20 percent, previously 0.25 percent, will get a drunk driver 10 days mandatory confinement or more for each subsequent offense.

HB 676, Del. Robert Bell (R-Charlottesville): Provides for license revocation for multiple DUI convictions no matter how they are listed on the offender’s record.

HB 774, Del. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville): Makes mandatory, minimum punishment for a third or subsequent offense of driving on a restricted license applicable only if the offense occurs within 10 years of the first offense.

HB 786, Del. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville): Establishes procedure for taking blood samples by adding PVP iodine and Povidone iodine as cleansing substances for DUI testing.

HB 889, Del. Robert Bell (R-Charlottesville): Eliminates bail for repeat DUI offenders with three prior convictions within the past five years.

HB 1107, Del. Brian Moran (D-Alexandria): Provides that repeat offenders convicted for a third time within 10 years will serve a 10-day, mandatory minimum jail term and a six-month mandatory, minimum jail term if it is the third offense within five years.

HB 1130, Del. Robert McDonnell (R-Virginia Beach): States that DUI offenders convicted of a third or subsequent DUI offense within 10 years will forfeit the vehicle that they owned and operated during the offense.

HB 1132, Del. Robert McDonnell (R-Virginia Beach): Identical to HB 1132, eliminates bail for repeat DUI offenders with three prior convictions within the past five years.

HB 1136, Del. Robert McDonnell (R-Virginia Beach): Extends the period of administrative license revocation for second, third and subsequent DUI arrests. Administrative license revocation will be 30 days or until trial for a second alleged offense and 60 days or until trial for a third alleged offense.

HB 1137, Del. Robert McDonnell (R-Virginia Beach): Provides that failure to reimburse a locality for emergency response costs necessitated by a DUI or certain other offenses will result in driver’s license suspension and vehicle registration cancellation.

HB 1138, Del. Robert McDonnell (R-Virginia Beach): States that offenders who receive a restricted driver’s license following a DUI conviction where the offender’s BAC equaled or exceeded 0.15 percent must use an ignition interlock as a provision of the restricted license.

HB 1143, Del. Robert McDonnell (R-Virginia Beach): Creates the Trauma Center Fund which will be funded by fines paid by second and subsequent DUI offenders and funding appropriated by the General Assembly.

HB 1147, Del. Robert McDonnell (R-Virginia Beach): Requires that offenders convicted of a second DUI offense within five years serve a 20-day mandatory, minimum jail term and 10 days for a second offense within 10 years. Requires that offenders convicted of a third offense within five years serve a six-month mandatory, minimum jail term and 90 days for a third conviction within 10 years.

SB 202, Sen. Roscoe Reynolds (D-Martinsville): Removes the requirement that a magistrate reaffirm to a DUI arrestee his liability for refusal to submit to a preliminary blood or breath test after the arresting officer has already informed the arrestee.

SB 329, Sen. Kenneth Stolle (R-Virginia Beach): Provides for zero tolerance for DUI offenders who drive under the influence while holding a restricted permit issued as the result of a previous DUI offense.

SB 384, Sen. Thomas Norment (R-Williamsburg): Provides that sentences of DUI offenders convicted of driving on a revoked license will run concurrently with any other sentence.

SB 442, Sen. Nick Rerras (R-Norfolk): Eliminates potential for bail for offenders who have convictions within the past five years for any of the following: DUI, DUI manslaughter or DUI maiming.

SB 5007, Sen. Kenneth Stolle (R-Virginia Beach): Makes it a crime to unreasonably refuse to submit to a blood or breath test upon arrest for DUI. Return to Top

Across the Commonwealth

RACs are rolling across Virginia
Regional groups plan seminars and socials to reach present and potential VBA members

As part of The Virginia Bar Association’s renewed emphasis on membership development and outreach, the VBA Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) are off and rolling forward with activities designed to make the Association more accessible to members in various areas of Virginia, beyond the traditional activities of section membership, Young Lawyers Division involvement, committee participation and attendance at Annual and Summer Meetings.

Six RACs are now in place and beginning their efforts — Blue Ridge, Northern Virginia, Richmond, Southside, Southwest and Tidewater. The Southwest and Northern Virginia RACs have already hosted free professional skills development seminars, followed by socials, for current and potential VBA members. The seminars, incorporating speakers and subjects from the successful and popular three-track program created by the VBA Law Practice Management Division and featured at the 2003 VBA Annual Meeting, were held on April 2 in Wise and Grundy and on June 9 in Falls Church. Plans are underway for events and activities in other areas.

Chairs of the RACs are as follows: Blue Ridge, Gregory T. St. Ours, Harrisonburg (Wharton, Aldhizer & Weaver); Northern Virginia, David H. Spratt, Fairfax (Schwartz & Spratt); Richmond, Elaine R. Jordan (Sands Anderson Marks & Miller); Southside, Glenn W. Pulley, Danville (Clement & Wheatley); Southwest, Monica Taylor Monday and Melissa Amos Young, Roanoke (Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore); and Tidewater, William R. Van Buren III, Norfolk (Kaufman & Canoles). Return to Top

Virginia Law Foundation seeks nominations for 2005 Fellows class

Nominations for the 2005 Class of Virginia Law Foundation Fellows will be accepted through September 13. The 2005 Class will be inducted at a dinner meeting on January 20, during the VBA Annual Meeting.

Candidates must
(1) be an active or associate member of the Virginia State Bar for at least 10 years;
(2) be a resident of Virginia;
(3) be a person of integrity and character;
(4) have maintained and upheld the highest standards of the profession;
(5) be outstanding in the community; and
(6) be distinguished in the practice of law.

Retired and senior status judges are eligible. Sitting full-time judges and constitutional office holders are not eligible during their tenures.

Nominations must include a resume or biographical sketch of the nominee and must be received by September 13. Send nominations to VLF Fellows Council, c/o Nominations, 700 East Main Street, Suite 1501, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or e-mail nomination materials to valawfdn@infionline.net.

For a complete listing of current Fellows, please visit the Virginia Law Foundation’s website at www.virginialawfoundation.org. Return to Top

Legislative proposals up for Board review

Note to all sections and committees of The Virginia Bar Association: if you’re developing proposed legislation for the 2005 General Assembly, you’d better hurry up and get it done. The VBA Board of Governors reviews legislative proposals at its summer meeting in July and its fall meeting in October. Because the pre-session schedule for developing and filing proposed legislation for the General Assembly has accelerated, it is preferable to submit legislative intentions in advance of the July meeting.

The VBA Board Committee on Legislation is co-chaired by Hon. Diane M. Strickland of Roanoke and State Senator William C. Mims of Leesburg. Return to Top

Capital punishment in Virginia will be discussed at Summer Meeting session
Criminal Law CLE track to be offered for first time

For the first time, Criminal Law Section members will have their own CLE programming track at the VBA Summer Meeting, to be held at The Homestead July 15-18.

In addition to Professor Ronald Bacigal’s review of recent Virginia Supreme Court decisions in criminal law cases, a popular Summer Meeting feature which returns for the fourth consecutive year on Friday, July 16, the Criminal Law Section will co-sponsor (with the Judicial Section) a Friday afternoon general session program on capital punishment issues in the Commonwealth and will present a Saturday morning session on “Innocence Happens: When the Innocent Are Accused (and Convicted).”

The general session, “The Virginia Death Penalty: There is More Than Just the Concept,” will focus on some of the systemic issues related to capital punishment in Virginia. Prof. Roger D. Groot of Washington and Lee University will moderate the discussion. Panelists will include John Boatwright of the Office of the Capital Defender in Richmond, Craig S. Cooley of Richmond, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Warren Von Schuch of Chesterfield, and Hon. J. Robert Stump of the Wise County Circuit Court.

A total of 4.5 CLE credits will be available in the Criminal Law track, which is similar to the programming track offered by the Civil Litigation Section at recent VBA meetings. (NOTE: Click here for a complete program schedule.) Return to Top

Amherst teacher receives John Marshall Teaching Award

Anne B. Ferrell, a teacher of A.P. government and law-related subjects at Amherst County High School, received the 2004 John Marshall Teaching Award from Chief Justice Leroy R. Hassell Sr. of the Supreme Court of Virginia in a ceremony held at the John Marshall House in Richmond on May 3.

The award, presented annually by the John Marshall Foundation, recognizes a secondary or middle school teacher who demonstrates excellence in teaching students about the United States Constitution.

Ferrell, a teacher for 31 years, traces her interest in the Constitution to political discussions over family dinners in her youth. She begins her classes with reviews of current events, which are then related to the day’s government lessons.

The Virginia Bar Association and the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities created The John Marshall Foundation in 1987. Its purpose is to help provide for the restoration and operation of the John Marshall House and the John Marshall Gravesite as permanent memorials to Chief Justice Marshall, and to sponsor educational and public interest programs in the fields of law, government, history and public affairs. Return to Top

Fall meeting dates announced by VBA
115th Annual Meeting will be January 20-23

While fall may seem a long way off, various VBA entities are hard at work planning the Association’s autumnal conferences.

As details of each conference are finalized, information will be posted on the VBA website at www.vba.org and mailed to Association members in that area of practice. Dates of upcoming events also appear on the back cover of every VBA News Journal, with additional information published as space is available.

Dates and locations for major fall events are as follows:

September 15-17, VBA/YLD Executive Committee and Council Meeting, Hyatt Regency Reston;
October 1-2, VBA Labor Relations and Employment Law Conference, Hyatt Regency Reston;
October 15-17, VBA Board of Governors Meeting, Martha Washington Inn, Abingdon;
October 18, VBA Corporate Counsel Fall Forum, Omni Richmond;
October 22-23, Boyd-Graves Conference, Omni Richmond;
October 28-29, VBA Capital Defense Workshop, Richmond Marriott; and
October 29, VBA Virginia Tax Practitioners Roundtable, Farmington, Charlottesville.

VBA members should also note that the 115th VBA Annual Meeting will be held January 20-23, 2005, in Colonial Williamsburg. More information on the meeting will be available beginning in the early fall. Return to Top

News in Brief

VBA Board of Governors member Glenn C. Lewis of Fairfax has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section for his many accomplishments as a lawyer, family law expert, CLE instructor (with more than 1000 hours of teaching to his credit), television host/producer and legal theorist. Lewis is known as an innovator and leader in family law practice, not only in Virginia but on the national level as well.

Katherine Mims, a National Merit Scholar and recent graduate of Potomac Falls High School in Sterling, is the winner of the 2004 “My Political Hero” essay contest sponsored by Virginia Capitol Connections. Her subject: none other than her father, Sen. William C. Mims (R-Loudoun), a VBA Board of Governors member and Legislative Committee co-chair.

James R. Harvey III has received the Walter E. Hoffman Community Service Award, presented by the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association. The award recognizes a young lawyer who has distinguished himself in personal service to the community. Harvey, a partner with Vandeventer Black, is a former co-chair of the VBA/YLD Tidewater Pro Bono Hotline Committee.

Stephen A. Northup, a partner with Troutman Sanders in Richmond, has received the Lewis F. Powell Jr. Pro Bono Award from the Virginia State Bar.

The following VBA midyear appointments to the Virginia Law Foundation Board of Directors and the VLF Committee on Continuing Legal Education have been announced:
Virginia Law Foundation (for three-year terms ending in June 2007): Immediate Past President Frank A. Thomas III of Orange (Shackelford, Thomas & Gregg, PLC) succeeds Past President Douglas P. Rucker Jr. of Richmond (Sands, Anderson, Marks & Miller); John L. Walker III of Richmond (Williams Mullen) is reappointed for a second term.
VLF Committee on Continuing Legal Education (for one-year terms ending in June 2005): J. Lee E. Osborne of Roanoke (Carter, Osborne & Miller, PC), Elaine R. Jordan of Richmond (Sands, Anderson, Marks & Miller), Neil S. Lowenstein of Norfolk (Vandeventer Black LLP), Aubrey J. Rosser Jr. of Altavista, E. Ford Stephens of Richmond (Christian & Barton LLP), Paul B. Terpak of Fairfax (Blankingship & Keith PC), and VBA/YLD representative Valerie W. Long of Charlottesville (McGuireWoods LLP) are all reappointed for the coming year.

VBA Executive Vice President Breck Arrington has been elected Chair of the Virginia Law Foundation Fellows Council for 2004-05.

VBA Communications Director Caroline Cardwell received three first-place awards in the 2003 Virginia Press Women Communications Contest. She also received a third-place award and two honorable mentions in the competition. Return to Top