June 9, 2026
Highlights of the June 4 VSB Council Meeting
At its meeting on June 4, 2026, during the 2026 Virginia State Bar (VSB) Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach, VSB Council heard the following reports and took the following actions.
2026–27 VSB President Installation
2026–27 VSB President Susan Bradford Tarley was sworn into office and will take over the VSB presidency on July 1, 2026. She has served as a member of VSB Council and Executive Committee, as chair of the Clients’ Protection Fund Board, and as co-chair of the Common Interest Community Subcommittee of the VSB Real Property Section. Tarley is a partner at Tarley Robinson, PLC, in Williamsburg. Bruce H. Russell II, of Bruce H. Russell II, P.C., in southwest Virginia, was sworn in as president-elect for 2026–27 and will take over the VSB presidency on July 1, 2027.
Disciplinary District Committee Appointments
Council unanimously approved the slate of volunteer candidates to fill vacancies for the 2026–27 term on the Disciplinary District Committees.
Approval of Amendments to Section Bylaws
Council unanimously approved amendments to the VSB Health Law Section and Local and Specialty Bar Section Bylaws to be effective July 1, 2026.
Reports and Information Items
Virginia Lawyer Referral Service Rule Revisions
Council heard a report about Virginia Lawyer Referral Service (VLRS) Rules that were revised by the VLRS Committee on March 30, 2026, with a goal of increasing lawyer participation to meet the needs of people seeking counsel. Amendments included reducing the percentage fee remittance for VLRS lawyer panel members from 15 percent to 10 percent. Having no objection by Council, the revisions will be effective July 1, 2026.
The Council also heard reports from the VSB president, acting executive director, finance director, and bar counsel; an update on the Pro Bono Virginia Campaign by the Virginia Access to Justice Commission; a progress report on the 2025–2028 VSB Strategic Plan; and reports on programs of the Diversity Section, Local and Specialty Bar Section, Senior Lawyers Section, and Young Lawyers Section.