Senior Lawyers Conference
John M. Oakey Jr., chair
All members of the Virginia State Bar in good standing who reach the age of fifty-five are automatically members of the Senior Lawyers Conference. No dues are required to participate in the activities of the SLC. This year the conference had about 17,000 members. To make the new members aware of the opportunities available as members of the SLC, a birthday greeting is sent to each member of the Virginia State Bar during the month of their 55th birthday accompanied by a copy of the Senior Citizens Handbook. The “birthday letter” provides the SLC website as well as contact information at the VSB.
The budget for the conference in 2013-2014 was $25,000. Budgeted expenses include reimbursements for travel and other expenses incident to the conference meetings in Charlottesville, the printing of the next edition of the Senior Citizens Handbook, hosting the conference’s continuing legal education program, and the presentation of fifty-year plaques at the VSB Annual Meeting. Copies of the Senior Citizens Handbook are available by contacting Stephanie Blanton, the liaison between the SLC and the Virginia State Bar. They are available individually and in bulk.
The tree planting program, designated "Trees for Virginia" and started by John Tate in 2011, was continued by the SLC. Bruce Robinson assumed the chair of the project after John’s untimely death. Various kinds of saplings were distributed to individuals and organizations in the commonwealth free of charge. It is anticipated that this valuable program, funded entirely by voluntary contributions, will continue far into the future. In 2014, approximately 1,800 trees were planted.
Five Senior Citizens Days have been conducted by the conference in cooperation with local bar associations. These programs were presented in Southside, Northern Virginia, Covington, and the Northern Neck. Other programs are planned for later in 2014.
Frank Brown continues to offer, at no charge, his CLE program titled “Protecting Lawyers and Clients Interests in the Event of Death or Disability” throughout the state. The terms of the program can be tailored to suit the audience, usually local bar associations. CLE ethics credits are approved for the program. The next program is scheduled for October in Charlottesville.
Officers for the 2013-2014 fiscal year were John M. Oakey Jr., chair; Renae Reed Patrick, chair-elect; Robert T. Vaughan Jr., secretary; and Bruce E. Robinson, treasurer. New members of the conference who will take office on July 1, 2014, are Peter C. Burnett, Leesburg; Peggy Evans Garland, Montross; Dana Gay, Richmond; and Annie Lee Jacobs, Charlottesville.
The conference hosted a brunch on Saturday, June 14, to honor those attorneys and judges who have been members of the VSB for fifty years. The event was well-attended by the honorees, their families, and friends, as well as VSB dignitaries. Group and individual photos were taken and will be mailed to each honoree. Thirty, fifty-year veterans were present.
Many thanks to Stephanie Blanton for her help as liaison throughout the year.
Chairman, SLC