News and Updates   

The VBA Young Lawyers Division recognized the efforts of three members in Williamsburg Jan. 19. The award winners are just a few of the many young lawyers throughout the state who voluntarily contribute to the division’s numerous projects.

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.

At the Annual Business Meeting Jan. 20, new VBA officers and Board of Governors members will be introduced and elected.

At the 134th Annual Meeting banquet Jan. 19, the VBA will recognize Scott C. Oostdyk with the Roger D. Groot Pro Bono Publico Award in appreciation of his outstanding pro bono and community service.

A resident of Salem, Virginia, Mr. Pace created the Rule of Law Project under the VBA umbrella. The project, since spun off to a stand-alone entity under the Center for Teaching the Rule of Law at Roanoke College, is a web-based resource for teaching the underpinnings of democratic ideals with the help of lawyers and judges who volunteer to go into schools.

The start of the new year arrives with the merger of two Southside Virginia law firms. Effective Jan. 1, Petty, Livingston, Dawson & Richards, P.C., and Southern Virginia Legal PLLC will become PLDR Law. The combined 16-lawyer firm will operate from offices in Lynchburg and Danville.

This week, 10 VBA members were honored as Leaders in the Law for 2023, by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. Additionally, five VBA members were among those named to the publication's 2023 class of Up & Coming Lawyers.

The Virginia Bar Association values every VBA member. But once a year a special group of members takes the spotlight: a new class of Life Members.

On July 21, the 2023 Life Members were inducted in recognition of their 40 years of continuous paid membership in the VBA. Inductees, who are at least 70 years old, receive free VBA membership for life.

VBA member Reece H. Robertson, with the law firm of Reece Hale Robertson, PLLC, in Grundy, has been appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to serve on the State Water Control Board.

Board of Governors member Lonnie D. "Chip" Nunley III is one of eight Virginia attorneys named a 2023 Pro Bono Service Champion for reporting the highest number of pro bono service hours in the 2021-2022 bar year.

The designation comes from the Virginia Access to Justice Commission.