Lifetime Achievement Award

The Betty A. Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award was established by the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section to recognize and honor an individual who has made a substantial contribution to the practice and administration of family law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The award will be given at the discretion of the VSB Family Law section Board of Governors. The Betty A. Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award is presented at the Annual Family Law Seminar in April at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia.

Criteria

The award will recognize an individual who meets the following criteria:

  • A singular and unique contribution to the practice of family law in Virginia;
  • Dedication to excellence in the practice of family law;
  • Performance in the field of family law with competence and integrity; and
  • Commitment to the abiding importance of service to families through the legal system.

Nomination Deadline

The nomination deadline has passed and a winner has been named for 2024.

Portrait of James R. Cottrell.

Congratulations to  James Ray Cottrell, the 2024 Betty A. Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award Winner!

Submission Details:

Please use our Family Law Betty A. Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Application or send a letter of nomination to:

VSB Family Law Section
Attn. Dolly C. Shaffner, Family Law Section Liaison

by email:
[email protected]

by post:
1111 East Main Street, Suite 700
Richmond, VA 23219-0026

Lifetime Achievement Award Nomination Form 

Past Recipients

  • 2023 Ilona E. Grenadier
  • 2022 Ronald S. Evans
  • 2021 Paul Nichols
  • 2020 David Masterman
  • 2019 Peter W. Buchbauer
  • 2018 J. Patrick McConnell
  • 2017 Joseph A. Condo
  • 2016 Carl J. Witmeyer
  • 2015 Betty Moore Sandler
  • 2014 James W. Korman
  • 2013 Ronald R. Tweel
  • 2012 Terrence R. Batzli
  • 2011 Franklin R. Blatt
  • 2010 William C. Wood
  • 2009 Peter Swisher
  • 2008 Edward D. Barnes
  • 2007 Philip Schwartz
  • 2006 Frank W. Morrison
  • 2005 Donald K. Butler
  • 2004 Glenn C. Lewis
  • 2003 The Honorable J. Dean Lewis
  • 2002 Richard J. Byrd
  • 2001 The Honorable E. Preston Grissom
  • 2000 Lawrence D. Diehl
  • 1999 Professor Robert E. Shepherd, Jr.
  • 1998 The Honorable Charles S. McNulty III
  • 1997 Richard E. Crouch
  • 1995 Morton B. Spero
  • 1994 Betty A. Thompson
  • 1993 Arthur E. Smith