Closure Alert

At its meeting on February 25, 2023, in Richmond, the Virginia State Bar Council heard the following significant reports and took the following actions.

Council unanimously approved proposed amendments to Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 13 of the Rules of Court to provide a specific mechanism for respondents to elect a three-judge panel in all disciplinary proceedings. The proposed changes will be presented to the Supreme Court of Virginia for approval.
 

Council unanimously approved the slate of candidates to fill vacancies for the 2023–2024 term on the Disciplinary District Committees. 
 

Council unanimously approved proposed Unauthorized Practice of Law Opinion 219 – Non-lawyer entity representation in practice before state agency. The proposed opinion will be presented to the Supreme Court of Virginia for approval.
 

Council approved with 53 yea votes, 7 nay votes, and 2 abstentions, amendments to Part II, Article VI, Section 3 of the Bylaws of the Council of the Virginia State Bar. 
 
Council approved with 48 yea votes and 14 nay votes, revisions to the amendments to Part II, Article VI, Section 4 of the Bylaws of the Council of the Virginia State Bar.
 

The 2023 Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting took place June 15–17, and the 2023–24 VSB president was inducted. Chidi I. James was sworn into office and will take over the presidency of the VSB on July 1, 2023. He is the first African American man and first post-9/11 era veteran to be president of the VSB in its 85-year history. Michael M. York was also sworn in as president-elect for 2023–24, and will take over the presidency of the VSB on July 1, 2024.