May 2, 2024
Local and Specialty Bar Associations Receive 2024 Awards of Merit
The Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations has recognized three projects completed by three individual bar associations and one multi-bar project with Awards of Merit.
This competition is designed to recognize outstanding projects and programs of local and specialty bar associations; share successful programming ideas and resources with all bar associations; encourage greater service to the bench, bar, and public; and inform the public about some of the excellent work of local and specialty bars and the legal profession in general.
This year’s Awards of Merit winners are:
Virginia Mountain/Valley Lawyers Association (VMVLA)
Josephine City Project
The VMVLA demonstrated outstanding community engagement and financial support in saving several historic, 19th-century buildings in Josephine City, a community founded by emancipated slaves in Berryville. Thanks to the efforts of the VMVLA and other volunteer attorneys, the Josephine City Project was successful in its three main objectives: to prevent the demolition of the historic buildings, to clear the property titles, and to form a foundation dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of the buildings. The VMVLA’s work on this project not only preserved a crucial piece of Virginia's heritage but also demonstrated the powerful role that lawyers can play in community preservation.
Roanoke Bar Association (RBA)
Operation Family Time
The visitation rooms, waiting area, and observation rooms at the Roanoke Department of Social Services (DSS) needed serious upgrades to provide a comfortable atmosphere for children in foster care to have visitation time with their biological families. The RBA directed its philanthropic arm, the Roanoke Law Foundation, to raise funds for the renovation project from RBA members, law firms, and local judges. Ultimately, the RBA successfully raised enough money to complete the much-needed renovations at the Roanoke DSS in a timely manner.
Virginia Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
The Barry Kantor Series on Trial Advocacy and Civility in Family Law
Following the passing of highly regarded family law attorney Barry Kantor, who was a Fellow of the Virginia AAML, the Virginia AAML determined that a fitting way to honor Kantor would be to launch a regular virtual series in which members could gather and discuss ways to improve the practice of family law in the Commonwealth and to promote civility between lawyers and with the bench. Each month, the Virginia AAML identifies a moderator and meets for an hour on Zoom to discuss a pre-determined topic such as generational differences, self-care, managing your reputation, and civility in the courtroom.
Fairfax Bar Association (FBA);
Northern Virginia Black Attorneys Association (NOVABAA);
and
Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Virginia (APABA-VA)
21-Day Racial Equity Challenge
Participants in the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, sponsored by the FBA, NOVABAA, and APABA-VA, were assigned readings on racial justice and later met to discuss their thoughts on the readings in small groups. The groups were randomly assigned and were intended to foster confidential, open, and non-attributional conversations about issues of racial equity and their effects on the legal community and the people lawyers serve. The challenge was the subject of VSB President Chidi I. James’ April 2024 column in Virginia Lawyer.