May 25, 2022
G. Rex Flynn of Arlington 2022 Specialty Bar Leader of the Year
G. “Rex” Flynn, founder of The Flynn Law Firm, PLLC in Arlington has been awarded Specialty Bar Leader of the Year by the VSB’s Conference of Local and Specialty Bars (CLSBA). The award recognizes lawyer volunteers who lead local bar associations and “offer important service to the bench, bar, and public.”
Flynn, a graduate of Hampton University and George Mason University School of Law, has served as president of both the Arlington County Bar Association (2020-22) and the Northern Virginia Black Attorneys’ Association (NOVABAA, 2021-23). Flynn is the current president-elect of the Old Dominion Bar Association. He has also recently been elected to serve on VSB Council representing the 17th Judicial Circuit. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
In her nomination, Lavonda Graham-Williams, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney for Prince William County, and the Cities of Manassas, and Manassas Park, said of Flynn’s presidency of NOVABAA: “When his time came to lead, he put those ideas into action quickly and effectively—all in the middle of the world-wide pandemic… The success of his plans is evident in the exponential membership growth—a growth that led to record turnout at events and meetings, as well as long-term financial stability.”
Chidi I. James, VSB President-elect Designee, of Blankingship Keith in Fairfax, said of Flynn, “Over the course of the last few years he has tripled the number of programs sponsored by the organization. …In addition to these wonderful programs, he has increased the membership in NOVABAA from 45 paid members to 172 members within just a two-year time span AND during a Pandemic. NOVABAA’s current membership now rivals that of some state-wide specialty bar associations.”
Tamika Jones, of The Jones Practice, PLLC in Arlington, noted, “Rex has been transformative to our organization, and he has served at every level, performed every menial task, and kept everyone happy (which is indeed a feat, as a former bar president myself, I can attest).”
Kellie Budd, former NOVABAA president, of Vasseghi Budd Law in Fairfax, said of Flynn: “Having known Rex since law school, I’m not surprised at all the amazing things he has accomplished for the Northern Virginia Black Attorneys Association, while somehow simultaneously leading the Arlington Bar Association. … His energy and passion are unlike anything I’ve seen from a NOVABAA president, including my own tenure in the position!”
Numerous attorneys endorsed Flynn’s nomination. Andrew O. Clarke of A. Clarke Law, PLLC in Maryland noted: “He is always available to younger attorneys like myself. This takes time and effort. I’m honestly not sure when he finds time to sleep.”
Lindsay Powell pointed out, “As president, he also partnered with George Mason Law School to establish a new scholarship for students, creating a link between the community and the bar.”
But perhaps Flynn’s efforts are best summarized by Willie M. Wilson-Herring, who wrote: “I am a young, Black attorney who moved to Northern Virginia in 2017. The first thing I looked for in the area where I would begin my legal career was community. Thankfully, God led me to Rex.”
Flynn will receive his award at the CLSBA breakfast on June 17 at the VSB Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach.