News and Updates   

The Virginia Bar Association presented longtime University of Virginia law professor A.E. Dick Howard with its highest honor at its 2023 Annual Meeting. The Gerald L. Baliles Distinguished Service Award is given in recognition and appreciation of exceptional service and contributions to the bar and public at large.

The VBA Young Lawyers Division recognized the efforts of attorneys Jennifer L. Ligon of Richmond and Ann Petros of Alexandria, two of the many young lawyers throughout the state who voluntarily contribute to the division’s numerous projects. The Sandra P. Thompson and the Emerson G. Spies awards were presented during The Virginia Bar Association’s Annual Meeting, held in Williamsburg Jan. 19-21.

The Virginia Bar Association has a new legislative counsel and team to assist with government relations and state law changes. The lobbying team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP will be led by VBA member Erik Link.

To the VBA family,

I wanted to take a moment to remember how and why all our worlds changed on Sept. 11, 2001.  It is not just a phrase to say that we must never forget - The bigger point for all blessed to be in this profession and in this country is to recognize the very fragile nature of our great democracy and strive to preserve it. 

The events of Jan. 6, 2021, are seared into the collective memories of all who witnessed the images at the United States Capitol on that historic day.

A special program on that day, entitled “Before, During and After January 6, 2021,” will be presented July 23 at The Virginia Bar Association’s Summer Meeting at The Omni Homestead Resort.

The Virginia Bar Association is the recipient of the inaugural Award for Excellence in Wellness and Well-Being in the Legal Profession. The honor, given by the Virginia State Bar President's Special Commission on Well-Being, will be presented June 17 during the VSB Annual Meeting.

I feel compelled to speak on behalf of the VBA and say that there are simply no words to express the shock, horror and anger that many of us feel about the massacre of children and teachers (and the injuries to so many others, including first responders) in Uvalde, Texas.

The 2022 Lawyer Wellness Challenge, from March 7-16, attracted 85 registrants to focus on fun activities and information in a friendly competition. The goal was to help people improve their emotional, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual wellness. Participants did not need to be VBA members or lawyers.

The role of female leaders at The Virginia Bar Association is part of our storied history right up to today, International Women’s Day, when we pause to recognize the VBA’s many female leaders – past presidents, and section, committee and division leaders.

The Virginia Bar Association joined with four other statewide voluntary bars in opposition to a bill proposed in the 2022 General Assembly session, Senate Bill 561. The other bar groups are the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, the Old Dominion Bar Association and the Virginia Women Attorneys Association.