- When submitting a request for public records, your request must identify the records you are seeking with "reasonable specificity." This is a common-sense standard. It does not refer to or limit the volume or number of records that you are requesting; instead, it requires that you be specific enough so that we can identify and locate the records that you are seeking.
- Your request must ask for existing records or documents. VFOIA gives you a right to inspect or copy records; it does not apply to a situation where you are asking general questions about the work of the VSB and does not require the VSB to create a record that does not exist.
- VFOIA does not require that your request be in writing, nor do you need to specifically state that you are requesting records under VFOIA. You may request records by U.S. Mail, fax, email, in person, or over the phone.
- From a practical perspective, it may be helpful to both you and the person receiving your request to put your request in writing. This allows you to create a record of your request. It also gives the VSB a clear statement of what records you are requesting, so that there is no misunderstanding over a verbal request. However, the VSB cannot refuse to respond to your VFOIA request if it is not in writing.
- You may choose the format in which you would like to receive the records from any format that is used by the VSB in the regular course of business. For example, if you are requesting records maintained in an Excel spreadsheet, you may elect to receive those records electronically via email, on a thumb drive, or as a printed copy.
If we have questions about your request, the VSB VFOIA Officer or designee will contact you and attempt to clarify the type of records that you are seeking. It there are delays or confusion regarding your request, the VSB VFOIA Officer or designate will contact you to reach a reasonable agreement about the response. Making a VFOIA request is not an adversarial process; we may need to discuss your request with you to ensure that we understand what records you are seeking.
You may direct your request for records from the VSB to Kristi Hall, VFOIA Officer, at 1111 E. Main Street, Suite 700, Richmond, VA 23219-0026, (804) 775-0557, [email protected]. You may also contact us with any questions you have concerning requesting records from the VSB.
In addition, the VFOIA Council is available to answer any questions you may have about VFOIA. The council may be contacted by email at [email protected] or by phone at (866) 448-4100.
To submit feedback on the VSB’s response to your records request, please fill out the Public Comment Form available on the VFOIA Council's website.
The following is a general description of the types of records held by the VSB:
- Records that are generated by VSB staff, officers, volunteers, and agents in the normal conduct of business;
- Personnel records concerning the VSB employees and officials;
- Records of contracts to which the VSB is a party;
- Attorney membership, dues, mandatory continuing legal education, and discipline records; and
- Records of deliberations, memoranda, minutes, and opinions of the VSB committees, boards, conferences, and sections.
If you are unsure whether the VSB has the record(s) you seek, please contact Kristi Hall, VFOIA Officer, by mail at 1111 E. Main Street, Suite 700, Richmond, VA 23219-0026, by phone at (804) 775-0557, or by email at [email protected].
The Code of Virginia allows any public body to withhold certain records from public disclosure. As follows are some of the exemptions applicable to the VSB:
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Personnel records (§ 2.2-3705.1 (1) of the Code of Virginia).
- Records subject to attorney-client privilege (§ 2.2-3705.1 (2)) or attorney work product (§ 2.2-3705.1 (3)).
- Records of tests or examinations used, administered, or prepared by the VSB to evaluate employees’ or employment seekers’ qualifications or aptitude for employment, retention, or promotion (§ 2.2-3705.1 (4)).
- Lawyer email addresses (§ 2.2-3705.1(10)).
- Vendor proprietary information software (§ 2.2-3705.1 (6)).
- Computer software developed by or for a state agency (§ 2.2-3705.1 (7)).
- Records relating to the negotiation and award of a contract, prior to a contract being awarded (§ 2.2-3705.1 (12)).
- Records containing account numbers or routing information for any credit or debit card or account with a financial institution of any person or public body (§ 2.2-3705.1 (13)).
- Records relating to fee dispute resolution as specifically set forth at the Virginia Administrative Dispute Resolution Act, § 2.2-4119.
- Records pertaining to deliberations of the VSB Ethics Committee and to confidential informal ethics staff advice to lawyers as provided at the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia, Part Six, Section IV, Paragraphs 10-2 and 10-5.
- Records pertaining to attorney disciplinary matters as set forth at the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia, Part Six, Section IV, Paragraph 13. See Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 13-30.
- Lawyers’ names and addresses in certain circumstances, as set forth at the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia, Part Six, Section IV, Paragraph 3.