News and Updates   

Five members are speaking in Roanoke this week at the 2024 Women's Legal Professional Retreat, of which the VBA is a partner. They are:

Hetal Challa, wellness coordinator of the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Her topic is "A Solo Practitioner's Toolbox: Healthy Habits to Build a Successful Legal Practice.

A VBA resolution recognizes Life Member David Craig Landin for his many contributions -- to his clients, his alma mater, the legal community, The Virginia Bar Association and in particular his leadership of its Committee on Special Issues of National & State Importance.

The Virginia Bar Association installed W. Ryan Snow as its 2024 president Jan. 20 during its Annual Meeting in Williamsburg. Snow chairs the business disputes, construction law and government contracting practice groups at Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C., in Norfolk.

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.

In the 2024 General Assembly session, the VBA has a robust agenda of 21 items in its legislative package. These advance the VBA goals of promoting access to justice and elevating the practice of law in Virginia.

The group the proposals came from and brief titles of the bills follow.