January 07, 2020
Virginia State Bar Newsletter January 2020
Governance
On November 1, 2019, the Supreme Court of Virginia amended Rule 1A:5 regarding Virginia Corporate Counsel and Corporate Counsel Registrants , effective January 1, 2020.
The Standing Committee on Legal Ethics seeks comments on proposed amendments to Rule 1.8, a proposed new legal ethics opinion, and amendments to existing LEO 1850. Full details here .
Effective December 9, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit amended four local rules to better conform with December 1, 2019, amendments to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Be a Bar leader! The Virginia State Bar seeks Virginia lawyers and nonlawyers to serve on its many boards and committees that work to improve the legal system in the Commonwealth.
The Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (VJLAP) unveiled a new website with a number of resources and a 24/7/365 assistance line as it looks toward an expansion in the coming year.
Discipline
Recent disciplinary actions :
Robert Earl Schulz , license revoked, effective December 9, 2019.
Alfred Lincoln Robertson Jr. , license suspended, effective December 6, 2019.
Michael Anthony Cole , license suspended, effective January 2, 2020.
Vincent Mark Amberly , license suspended, effective January 5, 2020.
James McMurray Johnson , public reprimand, effective December 6, 2019.
Compliance
Pro Bono / Access to Justice
Nominate a pro bono star! The deadline for nominating a lawyer for the 2020 Legal Aid Award and a 3L law student for the Oliver White Hill Law Student Pro Bono Award is March 8, 2020. More information on the awards and the procedures may be found here .
Already broken that New Year's resolution? Here's one to try: Make pro bono a resolution for 2020. It’s easier than ever with Virginia Free Legal Answers , the online pro bono portal where Virginia attorneys can anonymously provide advice and counsel to Virginians in need from the comfort of your home or office. Register here .
The Virginia Lawyer Referral Service (VLRS) needs you! This year, joining the VLRS is free for lawyers new to the service, and as always the VLRS gives Virginians a simple, affordable way to speak to a lawyer. Please consider becoming a panel member and helping to provide access to justice.
2020 CLE, Events & Awards
- 50th Annual Criminal Law Seminar, Charlottesville & Williamsburg – Feb 7 & 14
- Bar Leaders Institute, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond – March 6
- YLC Bench-Bar Conference, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens – March 13
- Solo & Small-Firm Practitioner Forum, Eastern Shore Community College, Melfa – April 3
- Techshow CLE, Richmond Convention Center April 27 – early registration is open!
- Leroy R. Hassell Sr. Indigent Criminal Defense Seminar, Richmond Convention Center; (Remote locations: Wytheville Meeting Center and James Madison University, Festival Conference & Student Center, Harrisonburg) – May 1
- Solo & Small-Firm Practitioner Forum, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, Danville – May 19
- VSB Annual Meeting, Virginia Beach – June 18-20
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Our last issue of the decade focused on pro bono and the myriad ways Virginia lawyers work to improve access to justice.
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Updated: Jan 07, 2020