Sections

There are twenty-four sections of the Virginia State Bar. Each is a separate group devoted to improving the practice of law in a particular substantive area, specialty practice, or stage of your legal career. The sections operate under bylaws and policies approved by the Virginia State Bar Council. They elect their own officers and choose their own activities within the limits established by the Council. Section membership is open to all members of the Virginia State Bar. Many sections also have law student and associate memberships. The sections are supported by dues which range from $10 to $35.

Registration Form   Chairs Handbook


Annual Reports   Membership Statistics

Administrative Law

Organized in 1979

The section is composed of lawyers with interests and practices involving administrative law and regulated industries.

Antitrust and Consumer Protection

Organized in 1977

The section communicates information about antitrust and consumer protection law to all members of the bar.

Bankruptcy Law

Organized in 1990

The section provides a forum for the exchange of ideas among bankruptcy attorneys, including those who represent debtors, creditors, and trustees.

Business Law

Organized in 1955.

The section members range from solo and small firm to large multi-national law firm practitioners, as well as in-house counsel.

Construction Law & Public Contracts

Organized in 1979

The section provides a forum for its members to share research and ideas related to construction contracting and litigation.

Corporate Counsel

Organized in 1989.

The section protects and furthers the interests of bar members who are corporate counsel.

Criminal Law

Organized in 1967

The section represents prosecutors, defense counsel, trial judges, and academics concerned with the criminal justice system in the commonwealth.

Diversity Section

The Diversity Section brings together VSB members from all perspectives to enhance outreach and engagement, promote the principles of justice and integrity in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, and elevate the public's trust in the legal profession.

Education of Lawyers

Organized in 1992

This section brings together law deans and professors, members of the judiciary, and practicing lawyers to improve every phase of legal education in Virginia.

Environmental Law

Organized in 1978

The section keeps Virginia State Bar members informed about developments in environmental law.

Family Law

Organized in 1978.

The section works to improve the quality of family law practice in Virginia by sponsoring the Annual Family Law Seminar and the Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar.

General Practice

Organized in 1986

The section sponsors programs and publications of general interest, but directs most programs to the sole practitioner and small-firm lawyer.

Health Law

Organized in 1984.

The section consists of lawyers dealing with the administration of health care, and produces programs of interest to the general health care professional.

Intellectual Property Law

Organized in 1970

The section addresses the legal protection of intellectual property, and works with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to encourage improvements.

International Practice

Organized in 1978

The section is designed for the lawyer with an interest in international business law.

Litigation

Organized in 1980

The section is focused on the needs and interests of trial lawyers. It publishes a newsletter several times a year and sponsors seminars on trial practice.

Local Government Law

Organized in 1985.

The section assists and supports public and private practitioners of local government law by sponsoring programs that provide a forum for members.

Local and Specialty Bar Section

The section was established to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between the VSB and the local and specialty bar associations in the Commonwealth.

Military and Veterans Law

Organized in 1996

The section serves attorneys who have an interest in how Virginia law affects military and veterans personnel, functions, and operations.

Real Property

Organized in 1970.

The section addresses all aspects of real property practice and procedure in Virginia.

Senior Lawyers

The Senior Lawyers Section is composed of all active and associate VSB members in good standing, and focuses on issues of interest to senior lawyers and promotion of the welfare of senior Virginians.

Taxation Law

Organized in 1955

The section encourages improvement and efficient administration of the tax law of the state and promotes the exchange of ideas between practitioners and administrators.

Trusts and Estates

Organized in 1978

The section promotes the exchange of ideas among lawyers who deal with wills, estates, trusts, and related matters.

Young Lawyers

The Young Lawyers Section is composed of all active and associate VSB members in good standing, as well as those members admitted to the VSB as their initial bar for fewer than three years.