Local Bar Leader of the Year Award

The Virginia State Bar Conference of Local Bar and Specialty Associations’ recognition of a Local Bar Leader of the Year identifies past and presently active leaders of local bar associations who have continued to offer important service to the bench, bar, and public. The award is a continuing monument to the dedication of local bar leaders. It also emphasizes the importance of close cooperation between the Virginia State Bar and local bar leaders.

The Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations will present the Local Bar Leader of the Year Award during its annual meeting on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Virginia Beach.

All entries must be postmarked or received via e-mail no later than Friday, April 12, 2024.

29th Local Bar Leader of the Year Award Nomination Criteria

Eligibility

Any current or past local bar leader in good standing with the Virginia State Bar who has remained active in local bar work through continuing contributions to his or her CLSBA-member local bar is eligible for nomination. When judging nominees, emphasis will be placed on service within the last ten years. This recognition will not be awarded solely because the recipient has held and discharged with fidelity high office or a variety of offices in the individual’s local bar association, but will honor outstanding dedication and achievement.

The Executive Committee of the Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations will judge the competition. Members of the Executive Committee are not eligible to win.

The winner of the Local Bar Leader of the Year Award will be notified by telephone by Friday, May 10, 2024.

Entry Instructions & Deadline: April 12, 2024

  1. All entries shall have a cover page with the following information:
    1. Nominee’s name and address
    2. Name of the local bar(s) in which nominee has served, with pertinent dates of service
    3. Name, address, and phone number of person(s) submitting nomination
  2. In addition to the cover page, nominations should be in the form of letters of recommendation not to exceed three (8-1/2" x 11") pages. Please include a high resolution photograph of nominee if available.
  3. All entries should be emailed to [email protected]
    —OR—
    Mailed to:
    Paulette Davidson
    Virginia State Bar
    1111 East Main Street, Suite 700
    Richmond, VA 23219-0026
    Phone: (804) 775-0521
  4. All entries must be postmarked or received via e-mail no later than Friday, April 12, 2024.

Past Recipients

  • 2023 Recipient: Bruce H. Russell II
  • 2022 Recipient: Daniel Frankl
  • 2021 Recipient: M. Bryan Slaughter
  • 2020 Recipient: Shemeka C. Hankins
  • 2019 Recipient: Barbara S. Anderson
  • 2018 Recipient: Jay B. Myerson
  • 2017 Recipient: Heather Scott Miller
  • 2016 Recipient: Mary T. Morgan
  • 2015 Recipient: Thomas H. Miller
  • 2014 Recipient: Kathleen M. Uston
  • 2013 Recipients: Lori D. Thompson and Polly Chong
  • 2012: no recipient
  • 2011 Recipients: Tracy Ann Houck and Andrea L. Bridgeman
  • 2010 Recipient: Raymond B. Benzinger
  • 2009 Recipient: Rupen R. Shah
  • 2008 Recipient: Jeannie P. Dahnk
  • 2007 Recipient: Steven L. Higgs