Governance
Jay B. Myerson of Reston has been inducted as VSB president for 2021-22

Stephanie E. Grana has become VSB president elect.

Read highlights of the June 18 VSB Council Meeting here.

Virginia’s seventh Constitution, crafted by 11 Virginia lawyers in 1971, celebrates its 50th Anniversary today.

The Standing Committee on Legal Ethics is seeking public comment on two LEOs and one rule change: Legal Ethics Opinion 1893, LEO 1896, and proposed amendments to Rule 1.2 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

The Advisory Committee on Rules of Court is seeking comments from the Bench and Bar on revisions to Part One, Part Five, and Part Five A Rules of Court, which include amendments to accommodate the changed appellate jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals of Virginia.

The VSB proposes changes to review of agreed disciplinary dispositions.

VSB offices to fully reopen to the public on September 7.  The latest emergency orders from the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, as well as other COVID updates, are here.

The Bar will be closed on July 5 for Independence Day.
Discipline
Daniel Robert Goodwin, license revoked, effective June 22, 2021.
Jason Edward Rheinstein, license revoked, effective June 25, 2021.
OlaDipo Akinwunmi AkinDeko, license suspended, effective June 25, 2021.
Alfred Lincoln Robertson Jr., license suspended, effective on June 25, 2021.
Philip John Geib, public reprimand, effective June 11, 2021.
Private discipline: 2 private reprimands and 2 private admonitions.
Compliance
You should have received your dues statement in the mail in June. Be sure to complete the requirements for license renewal by July 31. You may pay your dues and fees, certify your liability insurance coverage, report pro bono, and join VSB sections online.
 
What’s new on your dues statement this year? Find out here.
 
Need to change your status? Check the appropriate box under Status Change Request on your dues statement. More information on status changes can be found here.
Pro Bono / Access to Justice
Virginia Free Legal Answers Summer Associate Challenge!
Free Legal Answers helps low-income people with civil legal needs. Virginia lawyers are among the most prolific answerers in the country. Consider helping even more people by asking your summer associates to work with you to answer questions. All law firms that participate and report doing so to Crista Gantz by July 31, 2021 will be recognized by the ABA and the VSB. Questions? [email protected]

Pro Bono Reporting
We want to hear from you! Please report your pro bono hours and financial contributions made over the past 12 months when you renew your membership. The deadline to renew is July 31.  
Opportunities, Awards, and Events
Edward L. Chambers Jr. was the posthumous recipient of the inaugural memorial award in his name honoring longstanding and exemplary bar service.

The Conference of Local and Specialty Bar Associations (CLSBA) Awards of Merit recognized 12 bars and seven projects for service to the profession and the people of the Commonwealth. Thank you to the many lawyers who donated their time.
Jeannie P. Dahnk received the Rakes Leadership in Education Award at the hybrid VSB Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach for her unswerving dedication to improving the quality of lawyer education in the Commonwealth via teaching, writing, and the promotion of quality CLE.
 
Need CLE?
VSB Annual Meeting CLEs are now available for on-demand MCLE credit. From celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment to learning about new marijuana laws, there is something for everyone in these virtual CLEs. Only $95.00 for 12.5 hours (5.5 ethics hours) of on-demand learning available through September 15, 2021. Register here.*
*NOTE: If you registered for the live Annual Meeting, don’t register again. Use the link you received for the live program to watch any sessions you missed. If you no longer have that link, please contact [email protected].
FREE CLSBA SOLO & SMALL FIRM EVENTS
Solo & Small-Firm Practitioner Forums are going live again! The first program will take place on October 15, 2021, in Danville. The Hon. William C. Mims will lead a town hall meeting. Register here for this informative event.

Solo Webinar – On Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 1-2 pm – join us for Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls as the Practice of Law Evolves. ABA and VSB Techshow speakers Sharon Nelson, John Simek, and Davie Ries will present this Ethics/CLE. Register here.
The Virginia Lawyer Referral Service NEEDS LAWYERS throughout the state and for ALL areas of law practices that are active VSB members in good standing. Join today, and start getting prescreened referrals! Contact Toni Dunson at [email protected] for more information.
Virginia Lawyer: Only one publication reaches all 50,000 lawyers, judges, and law schools in Virginia and across the country. We would love to have you as an advertiser and our rates are the best in years. Contact Dee Norman at [email protected] for more information.

If you would like to opt out of the paper edition, please do so in your lawyer portal, where you may also update your contact information.
Stay connected to your Bar:
The VSB continues to provide essential services to Virginia’s lawyers and the public.
The VSB office at 1111 E. Main Street is closed to visitors. If you need to reach a staff person, please send an email or call the appropriate contact person. Many of our staff are teleworking and responses may be delayed. Thank you for your understanding.

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