March 3, 2026
Highlights of the February 28 VSB Council Meeting
At its meeting on February 28, 2026, in Richmond, the Virginia State Bar Council heard the following significant reports and took the following actions.
Amendments to Rule of Professional Conduct 1.9(c)
Council approved with 46 yes votes, 17 no votes, and 1 abstention, amendments to RPC 1.9 (c), Conflict of Interest-Former Client. The proposed changes will be presented to the Supreme Court of Virginia for approval.
Amendments to Unauthorized Practice Rules
Council approved with 46 yes votes, 13 no votes, and 1 abstention, amendments to Part 6, § I, Paragraph 3(O) of the Rules of Court, Unauthorized Practice Rules. The proposed changes will be presented to the Supreme Court of Virginia for approval.
Election of Members to Fill Volunteer Entity Vacancies
Council approved, with 64 yes votes, 0 no votes, and 1 abstention, candidates to fill 2026–27 vacancies on the VSB Council Members At Large;
Council approved, with 60 yes votes, 0 no votes, and 2 abstentions, candidates to fill 2026–27 vacancies on the VSB Clients’ Protection Fund Board;
Council approved, with 63 yes votes, 1 no vote, and 0 abstentions, candidates to fill
2026–27 vacancies on the VSB Disciplinary Board and chairs;
Council unanimously approved candidates to fill 2026–27 vacancies on the VSB Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board; and
Council approved, with 63 yes votes, 0 no votes, and 1 abstention, candidates to fill 2026–27 vacancies on the American Bar Association House of Delegates.
The candidates for Council Member At Large, Disciplinary Board, and MCLE Board will be presented to the Supreme Court of Virginia for appointment.
Election of Disciplinary District Committee
Council unanimously approved the volunteer attorney candidate to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term expiring in 2027 on the VSB Disciplinary Committee for the Fifth District, Section III.
Budget
Council approved with 64 yes votes, 1 no vote, and 0 abstentions, a proposed budget for FY2027. The budget will be presented to the Supreme Court of Virginia for approval.
Approval of Amendments to Section Bylaws
Council approved with 60 yes votes, 1 no vote, and 1 abstention, the repeal of the current bylaws and the adoption of revised bylaws of the Administrative Law Section, Antitrust, Franchise and Trade Regulation Section (now named Antitrust and Consumer Protection Section), Business Law Section, Construction Law & Public Contracts Section, Corporate Counsel Section, Criminal Law Section, International Practice, Real Property Section, Taxation Section (now named Taxation Law Section), Trusts & Estates Section, and Young Lawyers Section. The changes are effective immediately.
Reports and Information Items
Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Regulations and Opinions Revisions
Council heard a report from the MCLE Board about regulations and opinions revised by the board. Having no objection by Council the revisions will be effective May 1, 2026.
The Council also heard reports from the VSB president, executive director, finance director, and bar counsel; an update from the Technology and Future Practice of Law Committee; an update to the 2025 report on Entry Growth, and Distribution of Virginia Attorneys; and reports on programs of the Diversity Section, Local and Specialty Bar Section, Senior Lawyers Section, and Young Lawyers Section.