Welcome to the Local and Specialty Bar Section

Local and Specialty Bar logoThe Local and Specialty Bar Section (LSBS) was established to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between the constituent local and specialty bar associations organized in Virginia and the Virginia State Bar. It promotes bar leadership throughout the Commonwealth.

The LSBS sponsors a Bar Leaders Institute each year to help new local and specialty bar officers plan their bar year and assists them with ethical issues, various programs, and internal management policies and procedures; sponsors Solo & Small-Firm Practitioner Forums open to all VSB members; sponsors awards of merit, a Local Bar Leader of the Year Award, Specialty Bar Leader of the Year Award, and Bar Association of the Year Award; maintains an information database; and makes executive committee and staff members available for technical assistance or presentations to local and specialty bars.

The section edits and publishes the So You're 18 handbook, which is used by many groups to inform young adults of their rights and responsibilities upon turning 18.

Support the Section

Since the LSBS’s membership is comprised of bar associations, rather than individual attorneys, there is no annual dues fee for members. To support LSBS efforts, VSB Council approved a request from the LSBS Board of Governors to solicit a small $2.00 donation to the LSBS, available as part of the VSB member dues renewal process. Consider donating $2 to the Local and Specialty Bar Section when renewing your bar membership.

Upcoming Events

DateTitleLocation
 VSB-Sponsored Free and Low-cost CLE Webinars - ongoingVarious, VAWEB12345
Jul 01   |2026 Techshow On Demand through 10/31/26On Demand, TECHOD26
Sep 25   |Solo & Small-Firm Practitioner ForumMartinsville, VA092526SSF
Feb 05   |Solo & Small-Firm Practitioner ForumFront Royal, VA020527SSF
Mar 19   |Solo & Small-Firm Practitioner ForumAbingdon, VA031927SSF

What's New?

  

Local Government Attorneys of Virginia Named 2026 Specialty Bar of the Year

Posted on 5/20/2026
The Local Government Attorneys of Virginia (LGA) was named the Specialty Bar of the Year by the Virginia State Bar Local and Specialty Bar Section (LSBS).

  

Richmond Bar Association Named 2026 Bar Association of the Year

Posted on 5/19/2026
The Richmond Bar Association (RBA) was named the Bar Association of the Year by the Virginia State Bar Local and Specialty Bar Section (LSBS).

  

Local and Specialty Bar Associations Receive 2026 Awards of Merit

Posted on 5/11/2026
The Local and Specialty Bar Section has recognized four projects completed by four individual bar associations with Awards of Merit.

  

Molly E. Newton Awarded 2026 Specialty Bar Leader of the Year

Posted on 5/6/2026
Molly E. Newton, president of the Greater Peninsula Women's Bar Association (GPWBA), has been awarded Specialty Bar Leader of the Year by the Virginia State Bar Local and Specialty Bar Section (LSBS).

  

Registration Open for the 2026 VSB Annual Meeting

Posted on 3/16/2026
Registration is open for the 2026 VSB Annual Meeting! This year’s meeting takes place June 3–6 in Virginia Beach.