News and Updates   

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 VBA's Young Lawyers Division won four Awards of Achievement from the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division in its 2023 competition. The honors came in every category in which submissions were made: service to the public, service to the bar, newsletter and comprehensive programming.

Virginia Lawyers Weekly recently featured the "Mom, Esquire" series of the VBA Young Lawyers Division. Creator Kristen Jurjevich and serial panelist Jennifer Ligon - both of whom are lawyer moms - were interviewed for the article.

The Federation of Virginia Food Banks has released the winners of the 17th Annual Legal Food Frenzy. Held April 17-28, the event is a friendly competition among legal offices to raise food and funds to support the needs of Virginians who are food insecure.

Daniel L. Gray, a founding partner with Cooper Ginsberg Gray, PLLC, in Fairfax, was elected to the VBA Board of Governors at its spring meeting. He is the Potomac District representative on the 22-member board, and fills a seat left vacant. The governance committee unanimously recommended his approval.

The winner in the step competition of the Fourth Annual Lawyer Wellness Challenge put about 136 miles of wear on the tread of her shoes over 10 days.

The Virginia Bar Association installed Benjamin D. Leigh as its 2023 president Saturday, Jan. 21, during its Annual Meeting in Williamsburg. He is a principal with Troxell Leigh P.C. in Leesburg and focuses his practice on real estate.