News and Updates   

Candidates should be active or associate members of the Virginia State Bar for at least 10 years, Virginia residents, people of integrity and character who maintain and uphold the highest standards of the profession, and outstanding members in their community as well as distinguished in the practice of law.

A total of 158 aspiring lawyers passed the Virginia bar exam taken in February. Of them, 117 completed all admission requirements and have been licensed to practice law, according to the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners.

A bill in the General Assembly session to take lawyer discipline away from the Virginia State Bar and move it to a new body, the Virginia Attorney Disciplinary Commission, has failed in committee.

Senate Bill 561 , sponsored by Sen. Chapman Petersen, D-Fairfax, was passed by indefinitely on an 11-4 vote yesterday afternoon.

Virginia Chief Justice Donald W. Lemons has announced to the Supreme Court of Virginia that he will step down as chief justice, effective Dec. 31, 2021.

The justices of the court have elected Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn as Lemons’ successor. Chief Justice-elect Goodwyn will assume office on Jan. 1, 2022.

The July results from the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners are out and the commonwealth just gained 459 new lawyers. An additional 33 individuals passed the bar but have not yet been licensed.