Membership to the Richmond Bar provides attorneys with a myriad of opportunities in which to enhance their law practices. In addition, Bar activities encourage social interaction and foster collegiality among members of the profession.
9 Practice Area Sections
Join one (or more) of the Richmond Bar Association’s 9 Practice Area Sections and gain access to even more value for your membership. Each section is active throughout the bar year and holds events such as CLE seminars, happy hours, volunteer days, and much more!
Bankruptcy
Membership in the Bankruptcy Section of the Richmond Bar provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and practices among attorneys specializing in bankruptcy law.
Business Law
The Business Law Section serves as a focal point for members interested in meeting other business lawyers, exchanging practice information on handling business transactions, and enhancing professionalism in the practice of business law.
Corporate Counsel
The Corporate Counsel Section provides a medium for corporate attorneys to cooperate with each other on issues common to them. The section is open to those employed as a full-time salaried employee by a corporation or by a government body regularly engaged in corporate-related matters.
Environmental & Energy Law
The Environmental and Energy Law Section brings together those attorneys with a common interest in safeguarding environmental quality and promoting the practice of environmental law.
Family Law
Membership in the Family Section of the Richmond Bar provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and practices among attorneys specializing in family law.
Litigation
Membership in the Litigation Section allows attorneys from a wide range of litigation backgrounds to network, exchange practice information and foster professionalism through a variety of continuing legal education and social functions.
Real Estate
Membership in the Real Estate Section provides attorneys with professional development and information resources related to real property and land use issues.
Senior Lawyers (60+)
Membership in the Senior Lawyers Section of the Richmond Bar provides an opportunity for continued professional development and fellowship among its members. This Section also serves as a resource for those members who wish to improve their technology skills and for those who are planning their transition to retirement. Finally, it is also the mission of the Senior Lawyers Section to encourage the mentoring of younger members of the Richmond Bar by our more experienced members.
Young Lawyers (<40)
The Young Lawyers Section of the Richmond Bar provides an opportunity for networking and professional development for young and newly admitted attorneys.
Committees
The following committees actively recruit volunteers across the membership for each bar year (June 1-May 31).
Administration of Justice
It is the duty of the Administration of Justice Committee to promote reform in the law and judicial procedure, to facilitate the administration of justice in the Richmond area and in the Commonwealth of Virginia, to uphold and elevate the standard of honor, integrity and courtesy in the legal profession, and to otherwise cultivate and advance the cause of jurisprudence.
Communications
The Communications Committee is responsible for reviewing and updating when appropriate all publications of the Association and to otherwise undertake such activities and projects as would promote a better understanding and appreciation by the membership as to the objectives, purposes and activities of the Association.
Continuing Legal Education
The CLE Committee is responsible for putting on all of the RBAs CLE seminars during the bar year. This is the only committee that follows the traditional calendar year.
Finance
The Finance Committee, which is chaired by the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association, is responsible for establishing and monitoring all financial matters of the association.
Judiciary
The Judiciary Committee is responsible for implementing the policy and procedures of the Plan of the Association for Endorsement of Candidates for Judicial Office. Membership includes a representative sampling of the Association and the community and consists of persons of recognized standing, judgment and independence who represent a broad range of social, economic and practical backgrounds.
Membership
The Membership Committee promotes membership in the Association, reviews and updates the membership rolls on an annual basis, and implements policies and projects concerning membership activities.
Pro Bono
The Pro Bono Committee undertakes activities and projects that will encourage and assist members of the Association and the public to make legal representation and services available to the under-served in the Richmond Metropolitan area.
Programs
The Programs Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Directors as to all facets of all luncheon and social programs of the Association, including scheduling, content, speakers and related logistics, and to otherwise implement all directives of the Board of Directors or the President concerning such activities.
Sponsors
The Sponsors Committee is responsible for maintaining partnerships with current RBA sponsors, soliciting new sponsors, and making necessary changes or updates to the RBA sponsorship programs.
Publications
The Association’s newsletter, The Richmond Lawyer, is published 9-10 times per year. It is an excellent resource for legal professionals wanting to keep abreast of the latest news from the courts and all Association activities. Most members have elected to receive the newsletter via an emailed link to our website.
Richmond Bar members have the opportunity to submit articles for publication in The Richmond Lawyer.
CLE Seminars
Membership in the Richmond Bar offers a FREE way to satisfy your yearly MCLE ethics requirement. As an added benefit, RBA members who pay their dues by September 1 are eligible to register for one of the Association’s two-hour ethics seminars at no additional charge.
The RBA also hosts the annual Bench-Bar Conference, where attendees can obtain up to 3.0 MCLE credits at the largest conference of the bar year.
Luncheons and Social Events
The RBA hosts two luncheons – the November Awards Luncheon and the May Law Day Luncheon, both of which feature a keynote speaker. With a combined attendance of over 300 lawyers and judges, these meetings promote a convenient, collegial opportunity for members of the legal community to connect.
In addition to luncheons, the RBA puts on both a Holiday and a Spring Cocktail Party, a summer family event, a fall member appreciation social, and countless other social events that provide value and networking opportunities to our members.
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Programs to Improve the Administration of Justice
Judicial Selection: Our Judiciary Committee is active in evaluating and recommending qualified persons to fill judicial vacancies.
Professionalism: The Richmond Bar promotes programs to elevate the standards of professionalism among members of the bar and has adopted a statement of Principles of Professionalism. Seminar topics include civility among lawyers, ethics, and media relations, among others.
Programs to Benefit the Public
Pro Bono Services: For many years, the Bar has served as an advocate for and leading participant in the delivery of legal services to those unable to afford a lawyer. Working in close partnership with the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc., the Association recruits and trains volunteers and solicits financial support for legal services to the poor. Our members assist non-profit organizations needing legal assistance by volunteering for the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation’s Pro-Bono Clearinghouse Program.