Governance
The Hon. S. Bernard Goodwyn has been elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, effective January 1, 2022.
 
The Hon. Donald W. Lemons has stepped down as Chief Justice of the Court, where he has served as a Justice since 2000, and as Chief since 2015.

Due to the sharp increase in COVID cases recently, the Supreme Court of Virginia will hear oral argument remotely for the January session.
 
The Supreme Court of Virginia recently amended the Rules of Court regarding Military Spouse Provisional Admission.
 
The Supreme Court of Virginia amended its Rules of Court including those governing access to imputed disqualification, safekeeping property, and conflict of interest, specifically prohibited transactions, to be effective February, 20, 2022
 
The Supreme Court of Virginia amended the Judicial Canons effective January 1, 2022. The amendments reflect a complete replacement of the Canons up to the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee provisions.
 
 
Comments are sought on proposed changes to Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee procedures and policies.
 
Comments are sought on proposed amendments to the Clients’ Protection Fund Rules.

Bar Council, the Virginia State Bar’s governing body, will hold its annual elections by electronic ballot in April for terms beginning July 1. 
Virginia lawyers who wish to be on the ballot must be active members in good standing of their circuit as of March 15, 2022. 
 
Join the Disciplinary System: The Standing Committee on Lawyer Discipline seeks active, in-good-standing lawyers and non-lawyers to apply for disciplinary district committee vacancies. 
  
 
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its 33rd COVID-19 Order, effective through January 26, 2022.
Discipline
Disciplinary hearings are public meetings and may be viewed as they occur by following the disciplinary docket

David Gary Hoffman, license revoked, effective December 17, 2021.
Robert Bailey Smith IV, license revoked, effective December 17, 2021.
Tito Vladimir Alejandro Castro, public reprimand, effective Dec. 1, 2021.
Madeline Agnes Trainor, public reprimand, effective December 2, 2021.
Donald Frank Rosendorf, public reprimand, effective December 6, 2021.
Keith Hamner Waldrop, public reprimand, effective December 8, 2021.
Jose Angel Baez, public admonition, effective December 9, 2021.
Martin Bullock, public admonition, effective December 15, 2021.
John Weber III, charges dismissed, December 17, 2021.
Compliance
This month the 60-Day Notice of Impending Suspension will be mailed to attorneys who still owe hours and/or fees for the 2021 MCLE completion period.

Complete approved courses to fulfill any remaining hours and pay fees online at the VSB Portal (Visa or Mastercard accepted). The next reporting deadline for 2021 MCLE compliance is February 1, 2022 at 4:45 pm EST.
Pro Bono / Access to Justice
Interested in pro bono? We’re launching a free e-newsletter called Just Cause that will include access to legal services events, news, and access to justice topics. If you’d like to receive it, please email Crista Gantz at cgantz@vsb.org to be added to the email list. And if you’d like to help, write, or have an idea, please let Crista know as well.
 
Do you know an outstanding pro bono attorney doing great work in your community? The VSB Access Committee would love to hear about them. Please send the lawyer’s name, contact information, and a brief description of their pro bono work to cgantz@vsb.org.
Nominations: Recognize a Deserving Lawyer
Please nominate a friend or colleague for the Edward L. Chambers Lifetime Bar Service Award, given to those who serve the profession by working on the VSB’s boards, committees, conferences, or sections. Nominations due February 1, 2021.
 
The Military Law Section is seeking nominations for its Pro Bono Award, recognizing members of the Bar who assist military members who protect and serve our nation. Entry deadline March 1, 2022.

The General Practice Section is seeking nominations for the 34th Tradition of Excellence Award. The award recognizes an outstanding lawyer who embodies the highest tradition of personal and professional excellence in Virginia and who has devoted a significant amount of time, effort, and/or funds to activities that benefit their community. Entry deadline Monday, April 4, 2022
 
The Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations is seeking nominations for its Awards of Merit, Local Bar Leader of the Year Award, Specialty Bar Leader of the Year Award, and Bar Association of the Year Award.  Entry deadline: May 4, 2022.
CLE Opportunities
Register for the 2022 Virtual VSB Techshow CLE. This virtual event on April 25 will provide the latest learning in cyber security, tech ethics, e-discovery, and many other tech issues for lawyers.
 
The General Practice Section is hosting a free webinar on Child Support and Enforcement for the General Practitioner. February 17, 2022, 1-2 pm. Register here.
Coming in February: The Young Lawyers Conference; Hunton Andrews Kurth has a birthday; and more.

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