Bar Services and Programs

These collected services of the Bar are available for the public to use to help meet their legal needs and navigate the Virginia State Bar website.

Clients' Protection Fund 

Bar program to reimburse persons who suffer a financial loss because of dishonest conduct by a Virginia lawyer.

Fee Dispute Resolution Program 

Helps attorneys and clients resolve disputes over fees and costs paid, charged, or claimed for legal services

Filing a Complaint about a Lawyer 

The VSB Intake Office will review your complaint to determine whether the information you provided describes attorney misconduct.

Guide to Lawyer Discipline

If filing a bar complaint against a lawyer, the VSB recommends that all complainants review this information carefully.

Pro Bono / Access to Legal Services 

The mission of this department, including the Access to Legal Services Committee, includes fostering support for free and reduced fee legal services with the goal of improving access to the legal system for all Virginians and for nonprofit charitable and civic groups that serve the public good.

Virginia Free Legal Answers

VFLA is a virtual legal advice clinic in which qualifying users post civil legal question to be answered by pro bono attorneys licensed in their state.

Virginia Lawyer Referral Service 

The Virginia Lawyer Referral Service will connect clients to a lawyer in their area for $35. They receive a consultation of up to a half hour with him or her – no strings attached.

Lifetime Bar Service Award

The Edward L. Chambers Jr. Lifetime Bar Service Award

Established by the Virginia State Bar in 2020 in memory of Edward L. Chambers Jr. to honor his longstanding, extensive, and selfless volunteer work with the Virginia State Bar, and that of other future recipients. The inaugural award was presented to Mr. Chambers’ family in conjunction with the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Virginia State Bar on June 17, 2021.

Ed Chambers practiced law on the Peninsula for more than 40 years. He was a member of the York-Poquoson Bar and served as its president from 1988 to 1989. Ed was very active with the Virginia State Bar and served on many committees and task forces, including, by way of example, Bar Council, the Executive Committee, the Standing Committee on Professionalism, the Clients’ Protection Fund Board, and the Sixth District Disciplinary Committee.

Nominations will be invited annually by the Virginia State Bar, although the award may only be made from time to time at the discretion of the selection committee appointed by the Executive Director of the Virginia State Bar. The selection committee will include five (5) members representing section leadership, committee leadership, Bar staff and Bar Council. The VSB Immediate Past President shall serve as Chair.

Criteria

The award recognizes those who serve extraordinarily and selflessly during their career without recognition commensurate to the level of their service to the Virginia State Bar.

The award recognizes exemplary Virginia lawyers who have enhanced the legal profession in Virginia by their extensive and longstanding commitment of time, knowledge, and leadership on Virginia State Bar boards, committees, sections, or conferences.

The award is not designed to recognize service arising out of a role as President of the Virginia State Bar or service as a fulltime judge or justice. A candidate must be a member, in good standing, with no history of public discipline.

Submission of Nomination

Please submit your nomination in the form of a letter describing specifically how your nominee meets the criteria established for the award. Nominations are due by February 1 each year, with the award announced by April 1.

Nominations should be addressed to Chambers Award Committee, [email protected]

Any questions should be addressed to Maureen Stengel, 804-775-0517.

Nomination Form and Information Flier

Past Recipients

  • 2022 | William T. Wilson
  • 2021 | Edward L. Chambers Jr.