News and Updates   

Beginning with cases presented at Oct. 17 writ panels, the Supreme Court of Virginia will increase compensation for court-appointed counsel in appeals of criminal convictions and termination of parental rights.

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.

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.

"By integrating our practices, we're strengthening our ability to provide comprehensive solutions to the complex legal challenges faced by health care providers today," said Michael L. Goodman, a founding partner of Goodman Allen Donnelly and an active member of The Virginia Bar Association.

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.

Beginning July 1, court-appointed counsel in criminal appeals will see revised compensation, the Court of Appeals of Virginia announced.

The difference in compensation recognizes that counsel must prepare all cases for full merit review.

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.

Henry P. Custis Jr., a VBA member since 1971 and a Life Member since 2016, is the recipient of the 2023 Tradition of Excellence Award from the General Practice Section of the Virginia State Bar. The honor will be presented at the VSB Annual Meeting in June.