Message from the 2026–27 SLS Chair | Richard A. Gray
The Senior Lawyers Section (SLS) of the Virginia State Bar (VSB) was established in 1987 by the VSB Council. I was 37 at the time, and frankly, the thought of ever becoming a “senior lawyer,” much less joining a section named after senior lawyers, was not forefront in my mind. This was the year I graduated from law school, and I was focused on my first job as a criminal defense contract attorney handling indigent criminal cases. The bar associations or Bar sections that I joined at the time were those that had direct and immediate relevance to my new practice of law, such as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and the Criminal Law and Family Law Sections of the VSB. That I would one day become a senior lawyer seemed far away at the time. Had I looked a little farther afield of my immediate needs as a young lawyer and thought more globally, the advantages of belonging to the Senior Lawyers Section might have become more apparent.
The Top Ten Reasons You Should Join the Senior Lawyers Section
- I think foremost, associating with older, seasoned lawyers can serve as an incredible mentoring opportunity. Senior lawyers can offer guidance and advice that may help the young lawyer avoid bar complaints, reprimands from Judges and fellow practitioners, and worst of all, a formal bar complaint. Senior lawyers are a resource not to be overlooked. The Board of Governors of the Senior Lawyers Section has 24 members at large, including three Officer positions. They come from all over the Commonwealth and from diverse practice backgrounds and firms of all sizes. All are more than happy to assist a young(er) lawyer in any way that they can, whether it’s just advice and someone to talk to, a referral to someone with more specific knowledge of a particular practice area, or something else related to the practice of law. Our profession can be a lonely undertaking, particularly for the small firm or solo practitioner. A helping hand can be a welcome one.
- The Senior Lawyers Section was converted from one of four Conferences to sections by Order of the Virginia Supreme Court on April 26, 2025. The conversion was part of an approved budgetary and operational restructuring, with the change effective July 1, 2025. The SLS is now self-funded with voluntary dues. Before the conversion, the SLS (formerly the Senior Lawyers Conference or SLC) represented every Virginia attorney who reached the age of 55 and who then automatically became members of the Conference without payment of dues. The SLC’s projects were funded by Bar Council. Now, as a Section, the SLS has approximately 800 dues-paying members who pay a nominal annual dues of $15.00. The SLS actually represents all members of the VSB because any licensed Virginia attorney can join. It might be more accurate to now think of the Senior Lawyers Section more as the Virginia Lawyers Section. This is in part due to the diversity of programs and events that the SLS sponsors or undertakes each year. For example, the SLS has rewarding new and continuing opportunities for lawyers of all ages and stages in their careers to participate in activities that serve the profession and the public—and bring a measure of self-satisfaction and camaraderie. Who can’t use more social contacts and friends? Joining the SLS can expand your network of both.
- Getting involved. The Board of Governors of the SLS has openings for a variety of committees and encourages you to sign up where you are interested. Additional information to pursue your interest in committee work is available on the VSB website. There is generally no requirement for in-person meetings or set times and hours to participate—but your involvement and expertise are vital to the success of the programs.
- The SLS authors periodically issue the Senior Virginians Handbook, which is a guide to informing older Virginians about Virginia and Federal legal issues that affect them. The Senior Virginians Handbook was fully updated in 2025 and includes personal income tax return changes signed into law on July 4, 2025. The handbook is used extensively through Senior Law Day Programs sponsored by local bar associations, as well as by legal aid organizations. Copies were distributed to Local Area Agencies on Aging for distribution to seniors in their areas. You can contribute an article and be published where your peers and other attorneys will be able to see your interest and expertise demonstrated in a concrete and informative manner in future updates to the handbook, in our annual newsletter, or in Virginia Lawyer magazine.
- The SLS sponsors the Brunch and Awards at the VSB Annual Meeting to honor those who have been members for 50 years.
- The SLS undertook the making of the recently released two-hour ethics CLE, Civility and Professionalism in a Successful Litigation Practice—Mentorship from the Bench and Bar. This professionally filmed webinar is now available for free for Virginia lawyers to earn two hours of on-demand MCLE credit, including two hours of Ethics credit, through the VSB website.
- If the foregoing was not enough of an inducement to join the SLS, the SLS publishes articles about the future of our profession, including diversity and inclusion, competency in technology, availability of quality CLEs, managing clients and running a solo or small firm office, and providing free and low-cost legal services.
- The SLS conducts CLE programs, including Protecting You and Your Clients’ Interests in the Event of Your Disability, Death, or other Disaster. Nicknamed the “3Ds”, the program has been presented for free through local Bar associations, the Solo and Small Practitioner Forums, and elsewhere throughout Virginia. The information provided in this CLE is critical in managing the ethical requirements and a plan in place in the event of the lawyer’s disability, death, or unplanned retirement. The materials include sample documents and practice tips.
- In addition to improving the lawyer’s reputation, success for clients, the public’s perception of the legal profession, and the administration of justice, the SLS works to improve civility and professionalism, which have an important role in supporting a lawyer’s emotional health and continued satisfaction with law practice. Who can’t use this sort of free help?
- Finally, I hope you will consider joining the 800-plus members of the VSB who have seen the value of joining the Senior Lawyers Section. It’s as simple as a “yes” check mark on your annual dues invoice to join the SLS. If you are interested in participating in the Senior Lawyers Section efforts, you can also contact VSB Liaison Nancy Donner at (804) 775-0519 or [email protected]. She and the Board of Governors stand ready to assist you.
I look forward to representing the SLS as chair in the coming year.