VSB Committees

The VSB has a total of five Standing Committees, seven Special Committees, and 17 disciplinary district committees. The VSB seeks balance and diversity in committee membership, not only in aspects of race and gender, but in the types of practice the lawyers engage in—from solos to corporate counsel, prosecutors to defense—as well as diversity of geography.

All members of VSB committees listed on this page serve 3-year terms, with two consecutive terms allowed, except the Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee. Members of JCEC are only eligible for one 3-year term.

Interested in serving on one of these committees? See timelines and more information.

  • The application process for volunteers for the VSB’s special and standing committees begins in early January and runs through mid-February for terms beginning July 1 of the application year.
    • Applicants submit their resume along with VSB’s Committee Preference Form to [email protected] during the application period for consideration.
    • The President-Elect makes the selection of members to fill vacancies and all applicants will be notified of the decision by early June of the application year.

At any point throughout the year, see the current list of vacancies for opportunities to serve. 

Disciplinary District Committees

These 17 local disciplinary district committees (district committees), operating in subcommittees, review bar complaints in their jurisdiction and determine whether there is sufficient evidence of a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, and if so, what the appropriate disposition on the complaint is. The committees speak through their orders, posted online. Questions about disciplinary matters should be directed to Bar Counsel at (804) 775-0575.

Interested in serving on one of these local disciplinary district committees? See the timelines and more information.

  • Volunteers for disciplinary district committees are solicited in Virginia Lawyer magazine, in emails, and online.
  • The application period runs from the beginning of November through the end of February.
  • Each member of a District Committee must be a resident of or have his or her office in the District Committee area for which the member is appointed.
  • Applicants submit a brief résumé and short statement of interest to [email protected] during the application period.
  • The VSB Council members from the applicable VSB Disciplinary Districts review all applications and make recommendations to the VSB Council. The VSB Council makes appointments at the VSB Annual Meeting in June.

Does this sound like a good fit for you? Read the detailed description of the selection and application process below titled "Local Disciplinary District Committee Volunteers". At any point throughout the year, see the current list of vacancies for opportunities to serve.

Local Disciplinary District Committee Volunteers

Volunteers are needed annually to serve on the Virginia State Bar’s (VSB’s) Local Disciplinary District Committees (District Committees). Each District Committee consists of 10 members, 7 active attorneys and 3 lay members.

VSB Disciplinary District Judicial Circuits
First District 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 8th
Second District (two sections) 2nd, 4th
Third District (three sections) 6th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th
Fourth District (two sections) 17th, 18th
Fifth District (three sections) 19th, 31st
Sixth District 9th, 15th
Seventh District 16th, 20th, 26th
Eighth District 23rd, 25th
Ninth District 10th, 21st, 22nd, 24th

What are District Committees and what do they do?

  • District Committees are the “engine” of attorney self-regulation. Along with the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board and Committee on Lawyer Discipline, district committee members play a unique and integral role in the attorney disciplinary process.
  • Sitting in Subcommittees of 2 lawyers and 1 lay member, members review complaints of attorney misconduct which are referred for investigation to determine whether there is clear and convincing evidence of ethical misconduct. The Subcommittee may dismiss a matter, issue a private admonition sua sponte, approve agreed dispositions for private or public admonitions or reprimands, with or without terms, set the matter for hearing before the full District Committee, or, if there is a reasonable belief that suspension or revocation/disbarment is appropriate if Misconduct is found, certify to the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board.
  • Sit as District Committees to hear and decide charges of misconduct.

What is the application process?

  • Applications for new District Committee members will be accepted from approximately November through February annually.
  • A chart with each District Committee and the anticipated lawyer and lay member vacancies will be posted on the VSB website prior to the beginning of the application period.
  • Each member of a District Committee must be a resident of or have his or her office in the District Committee area for which the member is appointed.
  • The applicant must submit (1) a current resume or curriculum vitae and (2) a statement of interest.
  • Applications should be submitted to the email address indicated on the VSB website when the application period opens.

What is the selection process?

Once the application period is closed, there is a three-step review and selection process:

  • All applications are reviewed for eligibility (e.g., active attorney, no exclusionary criteria), and the applicants’ disciplinary and criminal record histories are checked.
  • The VSB Council members from the applicable VSB Disciplinary Districts review all applications and make a recommendation for appointment for that Disciplinary District.
  • The VSB’s Council votes on the nominees at the VSB Annual Meeting in June. If approved by the VSB Council, the new members’ terms begin July 1 each year.

Current District Committee members who are completing their second full, consecutive, three-year term are ineligible for appointment. They are eligible to serve again one year after the expiration of their second term.

Individuals are ineligible for appointment if they have:

  • Ever been convicted of a crime, in any jurisdiction;
  • Ever committed any criminal act that reflects adversely on their honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a member of the District Committee;
  • Ever had prior discipline involving disbarment, revocation, or suspension;
  • Had a public reprimand in the prior 10 years; or
  • Had private discipline or an admonition in the prior five years.

How long is the commitment?

All appointments will be for 3 years, beginning on July 1 after their selection, with eligibility for appointment to a successive three-year term.

Is there any training?

All new District Committee members attend a two-day disciplinary conference in July (with CLE credit) which reviews the duties, roles, and responsibilities of District Committee members.

Benefits of serving on a District Committee

Volunteering on a District Committee is a great way for lawyers and members of the public to get involved in one of the VSB’s most important functions.

Serving on District Committee is required to serve on the VSB Disciplinary Board which handles cases of suspension and revocation/disbarment.

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).

Related Joint Committee

Virginia Alternative Dispute Resolution Joint Committee

This committee is a collaboration of the VSB and the Virginia Bar Association. It seeks to further alternative dispute resolution in its many forms as it develops in Virginia. While called a committee, it is, in essence, a substantive law section.