Volunteers Sought to Run for VSB Council Vacancies

March 18, 2024

VSB Council elections are approaching and there remains a need for candidates to fill vacancies in the following judicial circuits:

  • 13th Judicial Circuit (Richmond) – 5 vacancies / 2 candidates
  • 17th Judicial Circuit (Arlington) – 2 vacancies / 1 candidate
  • 21st Judicial Circuit (Martinsville, Patrick and Henry Counties) – 1 vacancy / 0 candidates

The deadline for applying is Friday, March 22nd. Read below for more information.

January 30, 2024

Volunteers Sought to Run for VSB Council Vacancies

VSB Council, the Virginia State Bar’s governing body, will hold its annual elections by electronic ballot in April 2024 for terms beginning July 1.

Virginia lawyers who wish to be on the ballot must be active members in good standing of their circuit as of March 15, 2024.

Make sure your contact information is current in the VSB’s records before March 15 to ensure that you are eligible to run and to vote in your circuit – and that you receive the ballot.

In order to run, a lawyer must:

  • file a nominating petition signed by not fewer than ten other members eligible to vote in the circuit,
  • write a statement of qualifications not exceeding 150 words,* and
  • provide a digital headshot (.PNG or .JPG).**

File these three things with the executive director at [email protected] on or before March 22, 2024, at noon.

In your statement, describe what about your background makes you well suited to the position and what you hope to accomplish as a member of VSB Council.

Council members may serve two 3-year terms but must be re-elected to serve a 2nd term. The included chart shows which circuits have seats available for election as of January 18. Check vsb.org for updates.

Judicial Circuit Vacancies
4 1 seat (incumbent is eligible for 2nd term)
8 1 seat (incumbent is eligible for a 2nd term)
12 1 seat (incumbent is not eligible for re-election)
13 5 seats (1 incumbent is eligible for re-election to a 2nd term; 1 incumbent is not seeking re-election to a 2nd term; 2 incumbents are not eligible for re-election to another consecutive term, and 1 vacancy for an unexpired term due to incumbent receiving a judicial appointment)
14 1 seat (incumbent is not seeking re-election)
16 1 seat (incumbent is eligible for a 2nd term)
17 2 seats (1 incumbent is eligible for a 2nd term; 1 incumbent is not eligible for re-election)
18 2 seats (2 incumbents are eligible for a 2nd term)
19  6 seats (5 incumbents are eligible for a 2nd term; 1 incumbent is not eligible for re-election)
21 1 seat (incumbent is not eligible for a 2nd term)
23 1 seat (incumbent is eligible for a 2nd term)
28 1 seat (incumbent is eligible for a 2nd term)
30 1 seat (incumbent is eligible for a 2nd term)

* Please do not send statements in pdf form. Use a text program like Word or write directly into the body of the email in a way that allows for easy copy and paste.

** Please do not send a headshot that is in-line or embedded in the email or statement. Rather, attach it to the email in JPEG/JPG/PNG format. The photo should preferably be just your head and shoulders.

Learn more about other Bar Service Opportunities.

VSB seeks balance and diversity in committee membership, not only in race and gender, but in geography, the types of practice areas in which lawyers are engaged, and the settings in which lawyers practice (e.g., solos to corporate counsel, prosecutors to defense).

Originally posted on January 30, 2024