Council is an 81-person body, consisting of 65 lawyers elected from the 31 circuits throughout the Commonwealth, as well as nine at-large members appointed by the Supreme Court of Virginia, four conference chairs, and three officers. Council representation ranges from a high of 14 lawyers for Circuit 19 (Fairfax) to a minimum of one lawyer for 22 other circuits. Lawyers elect their Council representatives by popular vote through an online process in each circuit, or a few smaller circuits elect their Council representatives by voting at a meeting convened by the chief judge of the circuit. Council members may serve two three-year terms, but must be re-elected to serve a 2nd term.
Candidates are solicited January–March in Virginia Lawyer magazine, in emails, and online, and must collect 10 signatures of active, in-good-standing lawyers in their circuit on or before April 1 to be placed on the ballot. Ballots are emailed in mid-April, and Virginia lawyers have a few weeks to cast their ballots online. Learn about voluntary bar service opportunities.
Upcoming VSB Council Meetings may be found on the Calendar.