Lawyer Discipline
The Standing Committee on Lawyer Discipline (COLD) oversees the attorney disciplinary process, including the Virginia State Bar’s investigation and prosecution of complaints. Members of COLD are assigned to monitor the progress of investigations and prosecutions in each of the district disciplinary committees through interactions and discussions with VSB counsel and committee chairs. In addition, the oversight subcommittee randomly reviews case files to ensure that VSB counsel handled them in a procedurally correct manner. COLD also formulates and presents proposed amendments to Part Six, Section IV, Paragraph 13 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia, which govern the disciplinary process. The committee is composed of ten attorneys, two laypersons, and one member of the VSB Disciplinary Board, who serves ex-officio. The committee meets six times a year between August and June and during the Disciplinary Conference in July. Meeting dates and more information will be posted on the Meetings and Events page. All inquiries regarding lawyer discipline and disciplinary system actions should be directed to Bar Counsel at (804) 775-0575.
2021-22 Committee
| William Henry Atwill, Jr., Esq. Chair |
Atwill, Troxell, & Leigh, P.C. 50 Catoctin Cir NE Ste 303 Leesburg, VA 20176 |
703-777-4000 | 2022 / 1 |
| Pleasant Sanford Brodnax, III, Esq. Vice Chair |
1625 International Dr Unit 301 McLean, VA 22102 |
703-338-4300 | 2022 / 1 |
| Rowland Braxton Hill, IV, Esq. |
Christian & Barton, L.L.P. 909 E Main St Ste 1200 Richmond, VA 23219 |
804-697-4108 | 2023 / 1 |
| Robert Lucas Hobbs, Esq. |
Elliott, Lawson & Minor, P.C. Suite 300 230 Piedmont Avenue Bristol, VA 24201 |
276-466-8400 | 2024 / 1 |
| Sean Charles Edward McDonough, Esq. |
1504 Wake Forest Dr Alexandria, VA 22307 |
703-362-2853 | 2023 / 1 |
| Anita Van McFadden, Esq. |
The McFadden Law Office, PLLC 4085 Chain Bridge Rd Ste 402 Fairfax, VA 22030 |
703-383-0015 | 2022 / 1 |
| Joseph Daniel Platania, Esq. |
605 East Main St. 605 East Main Street 605 East Main St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 |
434-970-3179 | 2024 / 1 |
| Melissa Walker Robinson, Esq. |
Glenn Robinson Cathey Memmer & Skaff PLC Fulton Motor Lofts 400 Salem Ave SW Ste 100 Roanoke, VA 24016 |
540-767-2200 | 2023 / 1 |
| Jennifer Lynn Smith, Esq. |
One High Street, Suite 2 Portsmouth, VA 23704 |
757-393-2250 | 2024 / 2 |
| Jennifer Jo West, Esq. |
Spotts Fain PC Suite 600 411 East Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23219 |
804-697-2094 | 2024 / 1 |
| Thomas Ralph Scott, Jr., Esq. Ex-Officio |
Street Law Firm, LLP 1142 Riverview St PO Box 2100 Grundy, VA 24614 |
276-935-2128 | 2022 / 1 |
| Mr. Daniel H. Aminoff Lay Member |
6360 Brampton Court Alexandria, VA 22304 |
703-627-8294 | 2022 / 2 |
| Ms. Gaye T. Stone Lay Member |
8701 Clydesdale Road Springfield, VA 22151-1429 |
703-323-8334 | 2023 / 1 |
| Renu Mago Brennan, Esq. Liaison |
Virginia State Bar 1111 E Main St Ste 700 Richmond, VA 23219-0026 |
804-775-0575 | ---- / - |
| Ms. DaVida M Davis Liaison |
Virginia State Bar 1111 E Main St Ste 700 Richmond, VA 23219-0026 |
804-775-0573 | ---- / - |
| Karen Ann Gould, Esq. Liaison |
Virginia State Bar 1111 E Main St Ste 700 Richmond, VA 23219-0026 |
804-775-0550 | ---- / - |
