The Virginia Bar Association (VBA) is a voluntary organization of lawyers, judges and law school faculty and students in Virginia, with offices in

Richmond, Virginia (Thus do we reach the stars) , image_map = , mapsize = 250 px , map_caption = Location within Virginia , pushpin_map = Virginia#USA , pushpin_label = Richmond , pushpin_m ...

. Key elements are advocacy, professionalism, service and collegiality. It provides services to its members such as assistance in law office management, promotes or opposes selected state legislation and the administration of justice, and publishes the ''VBA Journal.'' It is to be distinguished from the

Virginia State Bar The Virginia State Bar (VSB) is the administrative agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia created to regulate, improve and advance the legal profession in Virginia. Membership in good standing in the VSB is mandatory for attorneys wishing to pr ...

, which is the administrative agency of the

Supreme Court of Virginia The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears direct appeals in civil cases from the trial-level city and county circuit courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrative ...

. Virginia is one of three states that has both a statewide voluntary and mandatory bar association.

VBA Mission

The VBA states its mission as follows:

'
The Virginia Bar Association
is the independent voice of the Virginia lawyer, advancing the highest ideals of the profession through advocacy and volunteer service."''

History

The VBA, (originally named the ''Virginia State Bar Association'' (VSBA)), was founded in July 1888 in

Virginia Beach Virginia Beach is an independent city located on the southeastern coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The population was 459,470 at the 2020 census. Although mostly suburban in character, it is the most populous city ...

, under the leadership of Francis H. McGuire of the Richmond Bar Association. Its first president was William J. Robertson of Charlottesville. In 1890, the

Virginia General Assembly The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the oldest continuous law-making body in the Western Hemisphere, the first elected legislative assembly in the New World, and was established on July 30, 161 ...

passed an act incorporating the Virginia State Bar Association. Section 1 of the act provides: "Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia, That William J. Robertson, R.G.H. Kean, Thomas Tabb, John W. Riely,

James A. Walker James Alexander Walker (August 27, 1832 – October 21, 1901) was a Virginia lawyer, politician, and Confederate general during the American Civil War, later serving as a United States Congressman for two terms. He earned the nickname "Ston ...

Holmes Conrad Holmes Conrad (January 31, 1840 – September 4, 1915) was an American politician, lawyer and military officer. Early life Conrad was born in Winchester, Virginia. He was the son of Robert Young Conrad, a prominent lawyer of Winchester, a ...

, Frank V. Winston, S. Ferguson Beach, John H. Fulton,

Charles A. Graves Charles Alfred Graves (October 20, 1850 – November 10, 1928) was a legal scholar and law professor, who taught at the law schools of Washington and Lee University and the University of Virginia. Biography Charles A. Graves was born on Mechums ...

, Richard B. Tunstall, James C. Lamb, Charles M. Blackford, William J. Leake, Thomas S. Martin,

Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757July 12, 1804) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first United States secretary of the treasury from 1789 to 1795. Born out of wedlock in Charlest ...

, James E. Heath, Micajah Woods, George M. Harrison, F.H. McGuire, and such other persons as are now associated with them in the unincorporated society known as the Virginia State Bar Association, or as may be hereafter associated with them under this charter, be, and they are hereby, incorporated under the corporate name of 'The Virginia State Bar Association,' for the purpose of cultivating and advancing the science of jurisprudence, facilitating the administration of justice in this State, and upholding and elevating the standard of honor, integrity, and courtesy in the legal profession." In 1938, after the

was created as a state-controlled regulatory association, the name of the older, voluntary membership organization was changed to the current ''Virginia Bar Association''.

VBA on Main

In 2017, the VBA moved offices to the Bank of America Center, 1111 E. Main St., Suite 905, and opened a member center for association business and for attorney use. Called VBA on Main, its combination of work/study carrels, five conference rooms, printer/scanner access, private phone room, and refreshment and relaxation areas are unique among bar groups in the commonwealth.

External links

VBA Homepage

VBA History

Virginia Barristers Alliance Inc.
the insurance agency subsidiary of the VBA
List of presidents of The Virginia Bar Association
{{Authority control American state bar associations 1888 establishments in Virginia Organizations based in Richmond, Virginia Organizations established in 1888

VBA Mission

History

VBA on Main

See also

External links