March 01, 2017
Virginia State Bar E-News, March 2017
On January 31, 2017, the Supreme Court of Virginia amended the following rules, effective April 1, 2017:
- Rule 5:20. Petition for Rehearing After Refusal of Petition for Appeal, Refusal of Assignments of Cross-Error, or Disposition of an Original Jurisdiction Petition.
- Rule 5:37. Petition for Rehearing After Consideration by the Full Court.
- Rule 5A:15A. Denial of Petition for Appeal; Petition for Rehearing Filed by Electronic Means.
- Rule 5A:33. Rehearing--On Motion of a Party After Final Disposition of a Case.
- Rule 5A:34. Rehearing En Banc After Final Disposition of a Case.
On February 15, 2017, the Court amended the following rules, effective May 1, 2017:
- Parts 5 and 5A Forms.
- Rule 5A:5(B)(2) regarding Petition for a Writ of Actual Innocence; Form and Contents of Petition.
At its meeting on February 25, 2017, the Virginia State Bar Council approved amendments to Rules 7.1 - 7.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct that govern lawyer advertising and sent them to the Supreme Court of Virginia for approval.
The Council also unanimously approved amendments to the Clients’ Protection Fund rules. The amendments outline the purpose, funding, authority, and administration of the CPF. The amendments also improve the structure and organization of the rules of procedure that outline the administration of the CPF, including the procedure for processing claims.
If you are interested in serving on Council, the VSB's governing body, there will be an election conducted in the following circuits by electronic ballot: 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 25. To be eligible to run, you must be an active member in good standing of the circuit as of March 15, 2017. You must file a nominating petition with the executive director at elections@vsb.org on or before March 31, 2017. Petition shall be signed by not fewer than ten other members eligible to vote in the circuit, and shall be accompanied by a statement of qualifications not exceeding one hundred and fifty words (in Word format) and a digital photograph (head shot). It is recommended you describe what is it about your background that makes you well suited to the position and what you hope to accomplish as a member of bar council.
Volunteers are needed to serve the Virginia State Bar’s boards and committees. The nominations deadline is March 10, 2017. The Nominating Committee will refer nominees to the VSB Council for consideration at its June meeting.
President-elect Doris Causey seeks members for Virginia State Bar committees with terms commencing July 1, 2017.
Registration is open for the YLC Celebration of Women and Minorities in the Legal Profession Bench-Bar Dinner on March 8 at University of Richmond Jepson Alumni Center.
Registration is also open for the Bar Leaders Institute on March 10 at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.
The VSB is seeking nominations for the following awards:
- The General Practice Section Tradition of Excellence Award. The nomination deadline is March 20.
- The Special Committee on Access to Legal Services Oliver White Hill Law Student Pro Bono Award. The nomination deadline is March 24, 2017.
- The Special Committee on Access to Legal Services Virginia Legal Aid Award. The nomination deadline is March 24, 2017.
- The Young Lawyers Conference R. Edwin Burnette, Jr. Young Lawyer of the Year Award. The nomination deadline is April 1, 2017.
- The Diversity Conference Clarence M. Dunnaville Jr. Achievement Award. The nomination deadline is April 7.
- The Conference of Local Bar Associations Awards of Merit, Local Bar Leader of the Year Award, Specialty Bar Leader of the Year, and Bar Association of the Year Award. The nomination deadline is April 28.
- Please see the VSB Awards and Contests page for a list of all bar sponsored awards and deadlines.
Registration is open for the following:
- April 7 – Solo & Small-Firm Practitioner Forum -- Holiday Inn Downtown, Lynchburg.
- April 24 – VSB TECHSHOW – Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond.
- May 3 -- Indigent Criminal Defense Seminar -- Webcasts in Weyers Cave and Wytheville.
Registration is open for the March 3-4 Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys 10th Annual UnProgram at the Boar's Head Inn, Charlottesville.
Updated: Mar 02, 2017