Tradition of Excellence Award

The General Practice Section’s Annual Tradition of Excellence Award 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.

General Qualifications

Nominees must be current members of the Virginia State Bar in good standing who have practiced for a minimum of ten years, five of which must be in general practice.

Nomination Instructions and Deadline

Submit in writing to:
VSB General Practice Section
1111 East Main Street, Suite 700
Richmond, Virginia 23219-0026
or via email at [email protected]

Include the following information:

  1. Name, age, and address of nominee;
  2. Brief biographical information and photograph;
  3. Firm or employment affiliation for past ten years or more;
  4. Bar memberships;
  5. Courts where admitted to practice;
  6. Details of significant community activities and/or contributions;
  7. Details of significant activities and/or contributions that have helped to enhance the image and esteem of general practice attorneys in the Commonwealth;
  8. A brief statement explaining why the nominee should be awarded the Tradition of Excellence Award; and
  9. Any other information that may be of assistance to the selection committee.

Nominees may also be interviewed by the selection committee or a representative of the committee at any time after submission of the nomination.

The General Practice Section must receive your nomination by close of business on Monday, April 1, 2024.

Notification of Winner

The recipient of this year’s award will be determined on or before April 26, 2024. The recipient will be invited to be the honored guest of the General Practice Section at the Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach. The 37th Annual Tradition of Excellence Award will be presented at the Annual Meeting.

Past Recipients

  • 2023 Henry P. Custis
  • 2022 Michael L. Rigsby
  • 2021 No recipient
  • 2020 Michael McHale Collins
  • 2019 John Randolph "Randy" Nelson
  • 2018 Grayson P. Hanes
  • 2017 Penny Baber
  • 2016 Hon. Denis F. Soden
  • 2015 Robert “Robin” C. Wood III
  • 2014 Stephen M. Quillen
  • 2013 W. Joseph Owen III
  • 2012 William L. Schmidt
  • 2011 James J. Knicely
  • 2010 V. R. “Shack” Shackelford III
  • 2009 Hon. Marilyn C. Goss
  • 2008 Roger C. Wiley Jr.
  • 2007 James C. Roberts
  • 2006 Frank O. Brown Jr.
  • 2005 Lawrence H. Hoover Jr.
  • 2004 Robert E. Sevila
  • 2003 Kenneth McFarlane Smith
  • 2002 Alexander F. Dillard Jr.
  • 2001 T. L. Plunkett Jr.
  • 2000 Ebb H. Williams III
  • 1999 Eric V. Zimmerman
  • 1998 George M. Warren Jr.
  • 1997 Nicholas A. Spinella
  • 1996* Carl C. Gillespie Sr.
  • 1995 Tommy P. Baer
  • 1994 E. Wayne Sawyers
  • 1993 Mary Ellen Kerr
  • 1992 C. Flippo Hicks
  • 1991 The Hon. James Keith
  • 1990 Phillip S. Walker
  • 1989 Henry C. Clark
  • 1988 J. Sloan Kuykendall
  • 1987 Philip M. Sadler