May 13, 2025
The Newport News Bar Association Named 2025 Bar Association of the Year
The Newport News Bar Association (NNBA) was named the Bar Association of the Year by the Virginia State Bar Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations (CLSBA).
Formed to benefit the lawyers working or living in Newport News, the Newport News Bar Association has a twofold purpose: to both improve the judicial process in Newport News and to provide support to the legal community that works in the area.
The NNBA annually elected leadership includes the following: Jordan C. Heath, of Health & Verser, P.L.C., president; Irving B. "Chip" Goldstein, of Goldstein, Edgar & Reagan, president elect; Nicholas Nunes, of David, Kamp & Frank, L.L.C., treasurer; and Adriana Jimenez, of Sarfan & Nachman, L.L.C., secretary.
In their nomination of NNBA, President Heath stressed the adaptations the association has made over the past year to the changing economy and the reduction of lawyers in the Newport News region. One of the cost-saving measures Heath identifies is changing their meeting location to the James River Country Club, where some members have graciously allowed them to operate under their membership number.
"Since these changes, we have seen an increase in not only attendance but overall membership," Heath says. "This has also allowed our bar funds to be spent within the city of Newport News and the community that we serve."
Heath stresses that over the last several years the NNBA has focused on presenting high quality CLEs; providing opportunities to inform members on important matters facing the court, bar, and surrounding community; and promoting the legal profession, the wellbeing of members, and the talented residents of Newport News.
These events include: The Jazz 4 Justice benefit concert, partnering with the Christopher Newport University Jazz Department, to raise funds for the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia and the CNU Education Foundation Jazz Ensemble that netted $8,775 for each group, which is expected to exceed this amount in 2025 with projections being over $20,000 for the beneficiaries; Recent Trends in Real Estate Fraud and Fraud Prevention, which was a seminar hosted by Fidelity National Financial Family of Title Insurers; and the annual legislative update, presented by Delegate Chad Green.
In addition to these events, the NNBA has also integrated another cause into the programming. Shannon Jones, a member of the NNBA, is the founder of the Student Trial Advocates Reaching Success (STARS) program, which is a 501(c)(3) organization, where students are mentored and ultimately participate in a mock trial event at the Newport News courthouse.
"While the program centers on a mock trial held in the spring, its primary focus is on the mentorship that students receive from Newport News attorneys, judges, and law enforcement," Heath says. "The program aims to foster positive interactions between the community and the legal system."
This year, the association is sponsoring 16 students and three adult chaperones. The STARS students are predominantly minority students from lower-income households, and Heath says many members hope that these students will be inspired not only to pursue careers in law but also to return to the community.
"It has been my pleasure to work this year with a talented and dedicated Board of Directors," Heath says. "And as a board, we are quite proud of our profession and our organization."
The CLSBA will present the 2025 Bar Association of the Year Award at its Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast on June 13 in Virginia Beach.