Virginia State Bar Awards

There are numerous opportunities for recognition from the Virginia State Bar, VSB Conferences, VSB Sections, and the Access to Legal Services Committee. Nomination criteria, deadlines, and presentation dates are available on the individual award webpages.

Burnette Young Lawyer of the Year Award

Young Lawyers Conference

Named in honor of its inaugural recipient, R. Edwin Burnette Jr., this award recognizes an outstanding young Virginia lawyer who has demonstrated dedicated service to the Young Lawyers Conference, the legal profession, and the community.

Carrico Professionalism Award

Criminal Law Section

In memory of former Supreme Court of Virginia Chief Justice Harry L. Carrico, this award recognizes an individual (judge, defense attorney, prosecutor, clerk, or other citizen) who has made a singular and unique contribution to the improvement of the criminal justice system in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Chambers Lifetime Bar Service Award

Virginia State Bar

In memory of Edward L. Chambers Jr., honoring his longstanding, extensive, and selfless volunteer work with the Virginia State Bar, and that of other future recipients.

Dunnaville Achievement Award

Diversity Conference

Commemorating the life of Clarence M. Dunnaville Jr. and his unceasing devotion to improving diversity and equality in our commonwealth, this award honors a member of the VSB for setting an example that fellow members can emulate.

Military Law and Veterans Pro Bono Award

Military Law Section

Recognizes worthy individuals who have dedicated a significant portion of their time and energy to serving and protecting those who protect and serve us through a Pro Bono practice.

Rakes Leadership in Education Award

Education of Lawyers Section

Named in honor of its inaugural recipient, William R. Rakes, this award recognizes exceptional leadership and vision in developing and implementing innovative concepts to improve and enhance the state of legal education, and in enhancing relationships and professionalism among members of the academy, the bench, and the bar within the legal profession in Virginia.

Tradition of Excellence Award

General Practice Section

Recognizes an outstanding lawyer who embodies the highest tradition of personal and professional excellence in Virginia, enhances the image and esteem of attorneys in the commonwealth, and has devoted significant amounts of time, efforts, and/or funds to activities that benefit their community.

Family Law Service Award

Family Law Section

Honors an individual or organization who has consistently given freely of time, talent and energies to provide valuable services in advancing family, domestic relations or juvenile law in Virginia, whether such services are rendered to the Virginia legal community or directly to the citizens of Virginia.

Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award

Family Law Section

Named for Betty A. Thompson, this award recognizes and honors an individual who has made a substantial contribution to the practice and administration of family law in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Traver Scholar Award

Real Property Section

Awarded by the section and Virginia Continuing Legal Education to honor men and women who embody the highest ideals and expertise in the practice of real estate law.

Hill Law Student Pro Bono Award

Access to Legal Services Committee

Named in memory of Oliver White Hill, this award honors extraordinary law student achievement in the areas of pro bono publico and under-compensated public service work in Virginia.

Freeman Organizational Pro Bono Award

Access to Legal Services Committee

The Frankie Muse Freeman Organizational Pro Bono Award honors organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the area of pro bono legal services for the poor.

Powell Pro Bono Attorney Award

Access to Legal Services Committee

Named for the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr., this award honors those attorneys and attorney groups that have made outstanding pro bono contributions.

Virginia Legal Aid Award

Access to Legal Services Committee

Recognizes an outstanding legal aid attorney who is an employee of a legal aid society licensed by the VSB to operate in Virginia.

Bar Association of Year Award

Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations

Recognizes a bar association that demonstrates the impact it has made upon the legal community and community at large, regardless of the size of that bar association.

Local Bar Leader of Year Award

Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations

Recognizes past and presently active leaders of local bar associations who have continued to offer important service to the bench, bar, and public.

Specialty Bar Leader of Year Award

Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations

Recognizes past and presently active leaders of specialty bar associations who have continued to offer important service to the bench, bar, and public.

Wellness and Well-Being in the Legal Profession Award

Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations

Honors Virginia lawyers, retired judges, bar associations, law firms, corporate law departments, government law departments and agencies, law schools, or other legal services organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to wellness and well-being in the legal profession.

Awards of Merit

Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations

Recognizes outstanding projects and programs of local and specialty bar associations. Multiple recipients may be selected each year at the discretion of the judging panel.

Fifty-Year Awards

Senior Lawyers Conference

Recognizes Virginia lawyers who have been members of the VSB for 50 years.