Scott C. Oostdyk, a partner with McGuireWoods LLP in Richmond, accepted the Roger D. Groot Pro Bono Publico Award from The Virginia Bar Association at the 134th Annual Meeting in Williamsburg.

Benjamin D. Leigh, the association's 2023 president, presented the honor Jan. 19 in front of a banquet audience of over 300. The award recognizes outstanding pro bono and community service.

In a letter nominating Oostdyk for the award, he was described as “the most outspoken, energetic, creative, strategic, reliable, generous and enduring advocate for pro bono service to low-income families and individuals.” The nomination further stated that “his impact will be felt for many years to come.”

Another nomination letter said, “Scott always had the best vision for creating programs, incentives and innovations that would encourage pro bono service. He is a mastermind.”

Oostdyk is a former co-chair and current member of the VBA Pro Bono Council and is the VBA's liaison on the Supreme Court of Virginia’s Access to Justice Commission.

He was an organizer of the Chief Justice’s Pro Bono Summit that the VBA hosts with the Supreme Court of Virginia. These biennial events highlight the importance of pro bono service and recognize lawyers who provide these services. The seventh summit meeting is scheduled to occur this year.

Oostdyk also was instrumental more than a decade ago in the creation of JusticeServer, an online platform that connects pro bono lawyers with the needs of legal aid groups. Since 2017, according to the JusticeServer website, 2,200 lawyers have directly benefited more than 64,000 people through cases originating in about 40 legal aid organizations.

He also was involved in the expansion of Firms in Service, in which law firms and legal departments in Virginia's regions coordinate and promote pro bono efforts.

Oostdyk is the 17th recipient of the VBA's Pro Bono Publico Award, first given in 1987. Previous recipients include George H. Hettrick, professor Robert E. Shepherd Jr., John D. Epps, James M. Hingeley, Lori D. Thompson and G. Andrew Nea Jr.

Oostdyk joined the VBA in 2007 and is a member of the Civil Litigation and Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Law sections.