The VBA offers its members multiple substantive law sections and committees that serve a range of functions of interest to the bar and the public.

Sections

Our 19 VBA law sections connect practitioners in specific areas of the law. Sections facilitate the sharing of information to aid lawyers in the day-to-day representation of clients. Sections also lead the advocacy program of the VBA by proposing statutory changes to improve the law.

One group, the Joint ADR Committee, is a collaborative venture involving both VBA and Virginia State Bar members. It works to advance all modes of ADR and resolving conflict through mediation.

Many sections plan presentations at statewide VBA meetings and host stand-alone conferences and seminars to educate participants on practice trends. Most of these programs provide continuing legal education (CLE) credits. View a full list of our events.

Sections are led by leadership councils. Find leadership resources on this website.

A list of VBA substantive law sections follows:

Join Our Sections!

Committees

• Commission on the Needs of Children
  

  Interdisciplinary group that, as part of the VBA legal education mission, advocates on behalf of minors

• Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  

  Seeks to elevate the necessity of inclusion in the legal profession and the VBA, with a vision toward a bar reflective of Virginia's entire legal community

• Committee on Federal Judgeships / Eastern District
  

  Recommends qualified candidates for open judgeships on the Eastern District of Virginia bench, as requested by nominating authorities

• Committee on Federal Judgeships / Western District
  

  Recommends qualified candidates for open judgeships on the Western District of Virginia bench, as requested by nominating authorities

• Committee on Nominations to Virginia Commissions & Appellate Courts
  

  Recommends qualified candidates for judicial vacancies and vacancies on the State Corporation Commission and the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission

• Committee on Small-Firm and Solo Practice
  

  A special committee tasked with providing practical advice and resources to help small firms and solo practitioners succeed, and to help build relationships between these practitioners and large and medium-sized firms as well as in-house counsel

• Committee on Special Issues of National & State Importance
  

  Interdisciplinary think-tank group that examines developing trends with an impact on the law and presents programming on these special issues

  • See a list of programming presented by this committee over the years.
• Pro Bono Council
  

  Promotes greater participation in pro bono publico work in Virginia and within the VBA and extols the virtues of that service. This group organizes the biennial Chief Justice's Pro Bono Summit

  • Committee roster
• Virginia Family Law Coalition
  

  A collaboration supported by the VBA and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association that advances law changes and supports legislative inquiries relating to family law

Committee leaders can find leadership resources on this website.

Committee participation

Committee chairs are appointed by the president of the VBA. Committee members also are appointed by the president on recommendation of the committee chair.

If you are interested in participating in committee activities, e-mail or call our offices at 804-644-0041.

Divisions

All members belong to the Law Practice Management Division. The Young Lawyers Division encompasses lawyers age 40 and younger, or in their first five years of practice regardless of age.

Divisions also have executive boards or committees. Find leadership resources on this website.