Old Dominion Bar Association
"Virginia's Advocates for Equal Justice"
"Virginia's Advocates for Equal Justice"
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Beverly A. Burton, Esq., President
with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in
the effort to monitor and correct voting irregularities in
Virginia . We will build on that legacy by addressing the
restoration of felons’ rights and participating meaningfully in
the effort to reverse the disenfranchisement of those who
are not permitted to participate fully in society after having
paid their debt to society. We will work diligently to ensure
the judiciary in Virginia continues to reflect the citizenry of
Virginia .
The Old Dominion Bar Association will be undergoing
significant structural and administrative changes. As we
strive to improve, we must re-dedicate ourselves to our
mission:
To maintain and advance the honor and dignity of the
legal profession and to increase its effectiveness in
promoting and facilitating the proper administration of
justice;
To improve the professional competence of its members
and of other lawyers in the area through educational
means;
To promote reform in the law and in judicial procedure in
the interest of justice;
To uphold and elevate the standard of integrity, dignity,
honor and courtesy among the members of the legal
profession;
To establish and maintain cooperative efforts with the
Virginia State Bar, the National Bar Association, and other
voluntary associations comprised of members of the legal
profession;
To cultivate the support and fellowship among the
members.
The footprints we leave behind are important. It is my goal
to ensure that ours are made with purpose, direction and
meaning. Notwithstanding our legacy, the work continues. I
ask for your support in meeting the challenges I described
earlier as we forge ahead with renewed commitment to be
the best we can be as VIRGINIA ’S ADVOCATES FOR EQUAL
JUSTICE.
Sincerely,
Beverly A. Burton, Esq.
********************************************************************
PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONALISM
FOR VIRGINIA LAWYERS
PREAMBLE
Virginia can take special pride in the important role its
lawyers have played in American history. From Thomas
Jefferson to Oliver Hill, Virginia lawyers have epitomized our
profession's highest ideals. Without losing sight of what
lawyers do for their clients and for the public, lawyers
should also focus on how they perform their duties. In their
very first professional act, all Virginia lawyers pledge to
demean themselves "professionally and courteously."
Lawyers help their clients, the institutions with which they
deal and themselves when they treat everyone with respect
and courtesy. These Principles of Professionalism serve as
a reminder of how Virginia lawyers have acted in the past,
and should act in the future.
PRINCIPLES
In my conduct toward everyone with whom I deal, I should:
• Remember that I am part of a self-governing
profession, and that my actions and demeanor reflect upon
my profession.
• Act at all times with professional integrity, so that
others will know that my word is my bond.
• Avoid all bigotry, discrimination, or prejudice.
• Treat everyone as I want to be treated with respect
and courtesy.
• Act as a mentor for less experienced lawyers, and as a
role model for future generations of lawyers.
• Contribute my skills, knowledge and influence in the
service of my community.
• Encourage those I supervise to act with the same
professionalism to which I aspire.
In my conduct toward my clients, I should:
• Act with diligence and dedication tempered with, but
never compromised by, my professional conduct toward
others.
• Act with respect and courtesy.
• Explain to clients that my courteous conduct toward
others does not reflect a lack of zeal in advancing their
interests, but rather is more likely to successfully advance
their interests.
In my conduct toward courts and other institutions with
which I deal, I should:
• Treat all judges and court personnel with respect and
courtesy.
• Be punctual in attending all court appearances and
other scheduled events.
• Avoid any conduct that offends the dignity or decorum
of any courts or other institutions, such as inappropriate
displays of emotion or unbecoming language directed at the
courts or any other participants.
• Explain to my clients that they should also act with
respect and courtesy when dealing with courts and other
institutions.
In my conduct toward opposing counsel, I should:
• Treat both opposing counsel and their staff with
respect and courtesy.
• Avoid ad hominem attacks, recognizing that in nearly
every situation opposing lawyers are simply serving their
clients as I am trying to serve my clients.
• Avoid reciprocating any unprofessional conduct by
opposing counsel, explaining to my clients that such
behavior harms rather than advances the clients' interests.
• Cooperate as much as possible on procedural and
logistical matters, so that the clients' and lawyers' efforts
can be directed toward the substance of disputes or
disagreements.
• Cooperate in scheduling any discovery, negotiations,
meetings, closings, hearings or other litigation or
transactional events, accommodating opposing counsels'
schedules whenever possible.
• Agree whenever possible to opposing counsels'
reasonable requests for extensions of time that are
consistent with my primary duties to advance my clients'
interests.
• Notify opposing counsel of any schedule changes as
soon as possible.
• Return telephone calls, e-mails and other
communications as promptly as I can, even if we disagree
about the subject matter of the communication, resolving to
disagree without being disagreeable.
• Be punctual in attending all scheduled events.
• Resist being affected by any ill feelings opposing
clients may have toward each other, remembering that any
conflict is between the clients and not between the lawyers.
For more news and events, please click here.
Beverly A. Burton, Esq., President
with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in
the effort to monitor and correct voting irregularities in
Virginia . We will build on that legacy by addressing the
restoration of felons’ rights and participating meaningfully in
the effort to reverse the disenfranchisement of those who
are not permitted to participate fully in society after having
paid their debt to society. We will work diligently to ensure
the judiciary in Virginia continues to reflect the citizenry of
Virginia .
The Old Dominion Bar Association will be undergoing
significant structural and administrative changes. As we
strive to improve, we must re-dedicate ourselves to our
mission:
To maintain and advance the honor and dignity of the
legal profession and to increase its effectiveness in
promoting and facilitating the proper administration of
justice;
To improve the professional competence of its members
and of other lawyers in the area through educational
means;
To promote reform in the law and in judicial procedure in
the interest of justice;
To uphold and elevate the standard of integrity, dignity,
honor and courtesy among the members of the legal
profession;
To establish and maintain cooperative efforts with the
Virginia State Bar, the National Bar Association, and other
voluntary associations comprised of members of the legal
profession;
To cultivate the support and fellowship among the
members.
The footprints we leave behind are important. It is my goal
to ensure that ours are made with purpose, direction and
meaning. Notwithstanding our legacy, the work continues. I
ask for your support in meeting the challenges I described
earlier as we forge ahead with renewed commitment to be
the best we can be as VIRGINIA ’S ADVOCATES FOR EQUAL
JUSTICE.
Sincerely,
Beverly A. Burton, Esq.
********************************************************************
PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONALISM
FOR VIRGINIA LAWYERS
PREAMBLE
Virginia can take special pride in the important role its
lawyers have played in American history. From Thomas
Jefferson to Oliver Hill, Virginia lawyers have epitomized our
profession's highest ideals. Without losing sight of what
lawyers do for their clients and for the public, lawyers
should also focus on how they perform their duties. In their
very first professional act, all Virginia lawyers pledge to
demean themselves "professionally and courteously."
Lawyers help their clients, the institutions with which they
deal and themselves when they treat everyone with respect
and courtesy. These Principles of Professionalism serve as
a reminder of how Virginia lawyers have acted in the past,
and should act in the future.
PRINCIPLES
In my conduct toward everyone with whom I deal, I should:
• Remember that I am part of a self-governing
profession, and that my actions and demeanor reflect upon
my profession.
• Act at all times with professional integrity, so that
others will know that my word is my bond.
• Avoid all bigotry, discrimination, or prejudice.
• Treat everyone as I want to be treated with respect
and courtesy.
• Act as a mentor for less experienced lawyers, and as a
role model for future generations of lawyers.
• Contribute my skills, knowledge and influence in the
service of my community.
• Encourage those I supervise to act with the same
professionalism to which I aspire.
In my conduct toward my clients, I should:
• Act with diligence and dedication tempered with, but
never compromised by, my professional conduct toward
others.
• Act with respect and courtesy.
• Explain to clients that my courteous conduct toward
others does not reflect a lack of zeal in advancing their
interests, but rather is more likely to successfully advance
their interests.
In my conduct toward courts and other institutions with
which I deal, I should:
• Treat all judges and court personnel with respect and
courtesy.
• Be punctual in attending all court appearances and
other scheduled events.
• Avoid any conduct that offends the dignity or decorum
of any courts or other institutions, such as inappropriate
displays of emotion or unbecoming language directed at the
courts or any other participants.
• Explain to my clients that they should also act with
respect and courtesy when dealing with courts and other
institutions.
In my conduct toward opposing counsel, I should:
• Treat both opposing counsel and their staff with
respect and courtesy.
• Avoid ad hominem attacks, recognizing that in nearly
every situation opposing lawyers are simply serving their
clients as I am trying to serve my clients.
• Avoid reciprocating any unprofessional conduct by
opposing counsel, explaining to my clients that such
behavior harms rather than advances the clients' interests.
• Cooperate as much as possible on procedural and
logistical matters, so that the clients' and lawyers' efforts
can be directed toward the substance of disputes or
disagreements.
• Cooperate in scheduling any discovery, negotiations,
meetings, closings, hearings or other litigation or
transactional events, accommodating opposing counsels'
schedules whenever possible.
• Agree whenever possible to opposing counsels'
reasonable requests for extensions of time that are
consistent with my primary duties to advance my clients'
interests.
• Notify opposing counsel of any schedule changes as
soon as possible.
• Return telephone calls, e-mails and other
communications as promptly as I can, even if we disagree
about the subject matter of the communication, resolving to
disagree without being disagreeable.
• Be punctual in attending all scheduled events.
• Resist being affected by any ill feelings opposing
clients may have toward each other, remembering that any
conflict is between the clients and not between the lawyers.
For more news and events, please click here.
IN THE NEWS...
JUNE 2009
PHAM ON THIRD DISTRICT DICIPLINARY
COMMITTEE
ODBA member Tony Pham has been selected
to serve on the Virginia State Bar’s Third
District disciplinary committee, which
addresses lawyer disciplinary matters arising
in Henrico County and the City of Richmond.
Pham, formerly a prosecutor in the Richmond,
is an Assistant City Attorney for the City of
Richmond.
GOODE HONORED BY VSB
ODBA member Freddie L. Goode, Senior
Managing Attorney at Central Virginia Legal
Aid Society in Richmond, received the Virginia
State Bar’s Legal Aid Award on June 19, 2009,
at the VSB’s Annual Meeting. The award,
presented by the Special Committee on
Access to Legal Service, recognizes a Legal
Aid attorney’s advocacy skills, high quality of
services, and impact beyond the attorney’s
service area. In addition to his managerial
duties in Richmond, Petersburg and
Charlottesville Legal Aid offices, Goode
handles a very large caseload and supervises
numerous volunteers. Goode earned his law
degree from the University of Florida and has
worked with Legal Aid since 1988.
JUDGE GOSS HONORED BY VSB
The VSB’s Tradition of Excellence Award was
presented to Hon. Marilynn C. Goss, a judge of
the Richmond Juvenile & Domestic Relations
District Court on June 20, 2009 at the VSB
Annual Meeting. The award was presented
the VSB General Practice Section and
recognizes an attorney who represents the
highest tradition of personal and professional
excellence and who has benefitted a
community and enhanced the esteem of
general practice attorneys in Virginia. The
award recognizes Judge Goss’ twenty-five
plus years of service representing indigents
as an attorney with the Central Virginia Legal
Aid Society. Judge Goss, a University of
Richmond Law School graduate, also served
as Managing Attorney of Legal Aid Justice
Center and later returned to Central Virginia
Legal Aid Society as a senior managing
attorney. She received the VST Legal Aid
Award in 2000 and is a former president of Old
Dominion Bar Association.
VSB APPROVES DIVERSITY CONFERENCE
The Virginia State Bar Council voted to
establish a Diversity Conference to “promote
diversity in the profession and the practice of
law” at its meeting on June 18, 2009. The
Council also voted to give the chair of the
Diversity Conference a seat on the Council,
and also voted to not give the chair a seat on
the VSB Executive Committee. As approved,
the Conference will be privately funded
through a nonprofit organization, and no bar
dues will be used to pay for the Conference’s
operations or programs. The next step is for
the Supreme Court of Virginia to approve the
Conference. President Beverly Burton
attended the VSB Annual Meeting and was
present when the Council approved creation of
the Conference.
FORMER VABWA PRESIDENT DIES
Brenda Friend Briggs, Esq., former President
of Virginia Association of Black Women
Attorneys died on June 10, 2009. A funeral
was held on June 17, 2009 at First Baptist
Church, Centralia, in Richmond, and she was
buried in the Friend Family Cemetery. She is
survived by her husband, Kenneth A. Gary, her
daughter, Nicole Briggs-Gary, her mother,
Louise Friend, and her brother, James B.
Friend, Jr. Ms. Briggs received her law degree
from T. C. Williams School of Law in Richmond.
CARLA GREGORY BURIED
Carla Lewis Gregory, organizer of ODBA’s
Spouse Auxiliary, passed away on June 6,
2009 and was buried in South Hill Virginia on
June 12, 2009. A celebration of her life was
held on June 11, 2009 at St. Paul’s Baptist
Church in Richmond. She is survived by her
husband, Hon. Roger L. Gregory, her mother,
Eura H. Lewis, and three daughters, Adriene
Gregory Carter, Rachel Gregory and Christina
Gregory.
ODBA's 2009 ANNUAL MEETING
Old Dominion Bar Association held its Annual
Meeting at the luxurious Gaylord National
Resort in Oxon Hill, Maryland May 28-31, 2009.
“Celebrating Justice Through Creative
Advocacy” was the theme of this year's
Annual Meeting.
The continuing legal education seminars
began Friday morning with “Best Practices: A
View from the Bench” presented by a three-
judge panel that included Hon. S. Bernard
Goodwyn of the Virginia Supreme Court, Hon.
Nolan B. Dawkins of Alexandria Circuit Court,
and Hon. Marilynn C. Goss, Richmond J & D
Court. Following the session, Virginia State
Bar President Manuel Capsalis spoke about
the need for diversity in the bar and the VSB’s
diversity initiative. Hon. Margaret P. Spencer
of Richmond Circuit Court, Charles Simpson,
Jr., of Accident Analysis & Reconstruction,
and Jeffrey Taylor of CrossPlatform Design
gave individual presentations on “Computer
Generated Evidence”, and their panel was
followed by Thomas A. Elliot, Esq. and
Fabienne Chatain, Esq., both with Elliot &
Maycock, LLP, who spoke on “Immigration
Consequences of Criminal Convictions”.
Congressman Bobby Scott was the keynote
speaker at Friday’s President’s Luncheon,
during which President Beverly Burton
presented several members with the
President’s Award of Merit for their
participation in the Election Protection effort,
which was ODBA’s community service project
last year. Only ODBA members are eligible for
this award, and recipients were: Leonard L.
Brown, Jr., Vinceretta Chiles, Tony Pham,
Diana Gaston, W. T. Mason, Robert Hagans,
Sandra Robinson, Regina Turner, and Howard
Woodson. Unfortunately, the much anticipated
golf tournament was the victim of inclement
weather.
The Northern Virginia Black Attorneys
Association, the Virginia Trial Lawyers
Association, and the Asian Pacific American
Bar Association of Virginia sponsored a lovely
Friday evening reception at McCormick &
Schmick Restaurant, where Tony Knotts, a
member of the Prince George’s County
Council, presented ODBA with a Proclamation
welcoming its members to the County and
recognizing ODBA’s many contributions.
Following the reception, members joined
President Burton in the hospitality suite for
conversation and occasionally noisy games of
bid whist.
Saturday morning’s CLE offerings included
a session on “Effective Jury Selection &
Communications” presented by Hon. William
T. Newman, Jr. of Arlington County Circuit
Court, Senator A. Donald McEachin, and
Maura burke Weiner of JuryMatters. Senator
McEachin, along with Del. Charniele Herring,
provided a legislative update, followed by
“Objections! Evidence in Action”, which was
presented by Hon. Gerald Bruce Lee, U. S.
District Court, Hon. Stanley P. Klein of Fairfax
County Circuit Court, and Prof. Cynthia E.
Jones of American University’s Washington
College of Law. Thomas G. Spahn, Esq. of
McGuireWoods rounded out the morning
sessions with a presentation on “The Ethics of
Email”. Hon. Rossie D. Alston, Jr., recently
appointed to serve on the Virginia Court of
Appeals, was the Judicial Luncheon keynote
speaker on Saturday.
At the pre-banquet reception, members
and guests were entertained by the Marcus
Williams Trio, a jazz ensemble that also
provided the musical backdrop for the Annual
Banquet. The banquet program began in
earnest with the attendees singing “Lift Every
Voice and Sing”. Hon. Roger Gregory, United
States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit,
introduced those being honored as
courageous advocates for justice: David
Baugh, Esq., Elaine Jones, Esq., L. Douglas
Wilder, Esq., and William Moffitt, Esq.
Highlights of each honoree’s career were
presented in impressive video montages.
Mr. Moffitt was honored in memoriam for his
stellar career as a criminal defense attorney.
Following the montage on her late husband’s
achievements Edna Moffitt, Esq. came onstage
to acknowledge the tribute, and later in the
program President Burton presented Mr.
Moffitt’s daughter with a plaque
commemorating the honor. President Burton
presented David Baugh, Esq. Capital Defender
for the central region of the Virginia Indigent
Defense Commission, with ODBA’s Harold
Marsh Sr., Community Service Award. Hon. L.
Douglas Wilder, the first African-American
governor in the country, received ODBA’s
Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of
his many achievements over the years, the
most recent being the first popularly elected
Mayor of the City of Richmond. Mr. Wilder
joined President Burton in presenting the L.
Douglas Wilder Vanguard Award, ODBA’s
highest honor, to Elaine R. Jones, Esq.
President and Director-Counsel Emeritus of
the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational
Fund, Inc., in recognition of her unwavering
dedication as a civil rights advocate.
Following Ms. Jones’ inspirational remarks,
the banquet program concluded with
President Burton thanking the honorees for
leaving their inspirational footprints and
challenging the attendees to follow them and
leave footprints of their own.
After Sunday morning’s business meeting,
ODBA members, friends and family gathered
at Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria for a picnic
before heading home.
Conference attendees were very pleased
with all aspects of the conference, and the
2009 Annual Meeting Planning Committee
members were: Co-Chairs Lorrie Sinclair and
Todd Pilot, Hon. Gerald Bruce Lee, Hon. Ivan
Davis, Hon. Nolan Dawkins, Malik Drake, Esq.,
S. Howard Woodson, Esq., Juanita Ferguson,
Esq., Melinda VanLowe, Esq., Carla Brown,
Esq., Crystal A. G. Fisher, Esq., Alfred Carr,
Esq., Sonya Sacks, Esq., Carolyn C. Eaglin,
Esq., Chidi James, Esq., Marcia Thompson,
Esq., Marcia Wright, Esq., Morris Parker, Esq.,
and Kenya Gregory, Esq.
Click here for more news
***********************************************
JUNE 2009
PHAM ON THIRD DISTRICT DICIPLINARY
COMMITTEE
ODBA member Tony Pham has been selected
to serve on the Virginia State Bar’s Third
District disciplinary committee, which
addresses lawyer disciplinary matters arising
in Henrico County and the City of Richmond.
Pham, formerly a prosecutor in the Richmond,
is an Assistant City Attorney for the City of
Richmond.
GOODE HONORED BY VSB
ODBA member Freddie L. Goode, Senior
Managing Attorney at Central Virginia Legal
Aid Society in Richmond, received the Virginia
State Bar’s Legal Aid Award on June 19, 2009,
at the VSB’s Annual Meeting. The award,
presented by the Special Committee on
Access to Legal Service, recognizes a Legal
Aid attorney’s advocacy skills, high quality of
services, and impact beyond the attorney’s
service area. In addition to his managerial
duties in Richmond, Petersburg and
Charlottesville Legal Aid offices, Goode
handles a very large caseload and supervises
numerous volunteers. Goode earned his law
degree from the University of Florida and has
worked with Legal Aid since 1988.
JUDGE GOSS HONORED BY VSB
The VSB’s Tradition of Excellence Award was
presented to Hon. Marilynn C. Goss, a judge of
the Richmond Juvenile & Domestic Relations
District Court on June 20, 2009 at the VSB
Annual Meeting. The award was presented
the VSB General Practice Section and
recognizes an attorney who represents the
highest tradition of personal and professional
excellence and who has benefitted a
community and enhanced the esteem of
general practice attorneys in Virginia. The
award recognizes Judge Goss’ twenty-five
plus years of service representing indigents
as an attorney with the Central Virginia Legal
Aid Society. Judge Goss, a University of
Richmond Law School graduate, also served
as Managing Attorney of Legal Aid Justice
Center and later returned to Central Virginia
Legal Aid Society as a senior managing
attorney. She received the VST Legal Aid
Award in 2000 and is a former president of Old
Dominion Bar Association.
VSB APPROVES DIVERSITY CONFERENCE
The Virginia State Bar Council voted to
establish a Diversity Conference to “promote
diversity in the profession and the practice of
law” at its meeting on June 18, 2009. The
Council also voted to give the chair of the
Diversity Conference a seat on the Council,
and also voted to not give the chair a seat on
the VSB Executive Committee. As approved,
the Conference will be privately funded
through a nonprofit organization, and no bar
dues will be used to pay for the Conference’s
operations or programs. The next step is for
the Supreme Court of Virginia to approve the
Conference. President Beverly Burton
attended the VSB Annual Meeting and was
present when the Council approved creation of
the Conference.
FORMER VABWA PRESIDENT DIES
Brenda Friend Briggs, Esq., former President
of Virginia Association of Black Women
Attorneys died on June 10, 2009. A funeral
was held on June 17, 2009 at First Baptist
Church, Centralia, in Richmond, and she was
buried in the Friend Family Cemetery. She is
survived by her husband, Kenneth A. Gary, her
daughter, Nicole Briggs-Gary, her mother,
Louise Friend, and her brother, James B.
Friend, Jr. Ms. Briggs received her law degree
from T. C. Williams School of Law in Richmond.
CARLA GREGORY BURIED
Carla Lewis Gregory, organizer of ODBA’s
Spouse Auxiliary, passed away on June 6,
2009 and was buried in South Hill Virginia on
June 12, 2009. A celebration of her life was
held on June 11, 2009 at St. Paul’s Baptist
Church in Richmond. She is survived by her
husband, Hon. Roger L. Gregory, her mother,
Eura H. Lewis, and three daughters, Adriene
Gregory Carter, Rachel Gregory and Christina
Gregory.
ODBA's 2009 ANNUAL MEETING
Old Dominion Bar Association held its Annual
Meeting at the luxurious Gaylord National
Resort in Oxon Hill, Maryland May 28-31, 2009.
“Celebrating Justice Through Creative
Advocacy” was the theme of this year's
Annual Meeting.
The continuing legal education seminars
began Friday morning with “Best Practices: A
View from the Bench” presented by a three-
judge panel that included Hon. S. Bernard
Goodwyn of the Virginia Supreme Court, Hon.
Nolan B. Dawkins of Alexandria Circuit Court,
and Hon. Marilynn C. Goss, Richmond J & D
Court. Following the session, Virginia State
Bar President Manuel Capsalis spoke about
the need for diversity in the bar and the VSB’s
diversity initiative. Hon. Margaret P. Spencer
of Richmond Circuit Court, Charles Simpson,
Jr., of Accident Analysis & Reconstruction,
and Jeffrey Taylor of CrossPlatform Design
gave individual presentations on “Computer
Generated Evidence”, and their panel was
followed by Thomas A. Elliot, Esq. and
Fabienne Chatain, Esq., both with Elliot &
Maycock, LLP, who spoke on “Immigration
Consequences of Criminal Convictions”.
Congressman Bobby Scott was the keynote
speaker at Friday’s President’s Luncheon,
during which President Beverly Burton
presented several members with the
President’s Award of Merit for their
participation in the Election Protection effort,
which was ODBA’s community service project
last year. Only ODBA members are eligible for
this award, and recipients were: Leonard L.
Brown, Jr., Vinceretta Chiles, Tony Pham,
Diana Gaston, W. T. Mason, Robert Hagans,
Sandra Robinson, Regina Turner, and Howard
Woodson. Unfortunately, the much anticipated
golf tournament was the victim of inclement
weather.
The Northern Virginia Black Attorneys
Association, the Virginia Trial Lawyers
Association, and the Asian Pacific American
Bar Association of Virginia sponsored a lovely
Friday evening reception at McCormick &
Schmick Restaurant, where Tony Knotts, a
member of the Prince George’s County
Council, presented ODBA with a Proclamation
welcoming its members to the County and
recognizing ODBA’s many contributions.
Following the reception, members joined
President Burton in the hospitality suite for
conversation and occasionally noisy games of
bid whist.
Saturday morning’s CLE offerings included
a session on “Effective Jury Selection &
Communications” presented by Hon. William
T. Newman, Jr. of Arlington County Circuit
Court, Senator A. Donald McEachin, and
Maura burke Weiner of JuryMatters. Senator
McEachin, along with Del. Charniele Herring,
provided a legislative update, followed by
“Objections! Evidence in Action”, which was
presented by Hon. Gerald Bruce Lee, U. S.
District Court, Hon. Stanley P. Klein of Fairfax
County Circuit Court, and Prof. Cynthia E.
Jones of American University’s Washington
College of Law. Thomas G. Spahn, Esq. of
McGuireWoods rounded out the morning
sessions with a presentation on “The Ethics of
Email”. Hon. Rossie D. Alston, Jr., recently
appointed to serve on the Virginia Court of
Appeals, was the Judicial Luncheon keynote
speaker on Saturday.
At the pre-banquet reception, members
and guests were entertained by the Marcus
Williams Trio, a jazz ensemble that also
provided the musical backdrop for the Annual
Banquet. The banquet program began in
earnest with the attendees singing “Lift Every
Voice and Sing”. Hon. Roger Gregory, United
States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit,
introduced those being honored as
courageous advocates for justice: David
Baugh, Esq., Elaine Jones, Esq., L. Douglas
Wilder, Esq., and William Moffitt, Esq.
Highlights of each honoree’s career were
presented in impressive video montages.
Mr. Moffitt was honored in memoriam for his
stellar career as a criminal defense attorney.
Following the montage on her late husband’s
achievements Edna Moffitt, Esq. came onstage
to acknowledge the tribute, and later in the
program President Burton presented Mr.
Moffitt’s daughter with a plaque
commemorating the honor. President Burton
presented David Baugh, Esq. Capital Defender
for the central region of the Virginia Indigent
Defense Commission, with ODBA’s Harold
Marsh Sr., Community Service Award. Hon. L.
Douglas Wilder, the first African-American
governor in the country, received ODBA’s
Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of
his many achievements over the years, the
most recent being the first popularly elected
Mayor of the City of Richmond. Mr. Wilder
joined President Burton in presenting the L.
Douglas Wilder Vanguard Award, ODBA’s
highest honor, to Elaine R. Jones, Esq.
President and Director-Counsel Emeritus of
the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational
Fund, Inc., in recognition of her unwavering
dedication as a civil rights advocate.
Following Ms. Jones’ inspirational remarks,
the banquet program concluded with
President Burton thanking the honorees for
leaving their inspirational footprints and
challenging the attendees to follow them and
leave footprints of their own.
After Sunday morning’s business meeting,
ODBA members, friends and family gathered
at Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria for a picnic
before heading home.
Conference attendees were very pleased
with all aspects of the conference, and the
2009 Annual Meeting Planning Committee
members were: Co-Chairs Lorrie Sinclair and
Todd Pilot, Hon. Gerald Bruce Lee, Hon. Ivan
Davis, Hon. Nolan Dawkins, Malik Drake, Esq.,
S. Howard Woodson, Esq., Juanita Ferguson,
Esq., Melinda VanLowe, Esq., Carla Brown,
Esq., Crystal A. G. Fisher, Esq., Alfred Carr,
Esq., Sonya Sacks, Esq., Carolyn C. Eaglin,
Esq., Chidi James, Esq., Marcia Thompson,
Esq., Marcia Wright, Esq., Morris Parker, Esq.,
and Kenya Gregory, Esq.
Click here for more news
***********************************************
 |  |  |  |  |  |
I am honored to serve as the Old
Dominion Bar Association’s 29th
President and look forward to
working with our membership to
address the challenges that
require the attention of
"Virginia's Advocates for Equal
Justice”.
Under my leadership, and with
your support, the Old Dominion
Bar Association will not rest
comfortably on the laurels of its
rich legacy. Instead, we will build
on that legacy by participating
meaningfully as a National Bar
Association Affiliate in partnership
Dominion Bar Association’s 29th
President and look forward to
working with our membership to
address the challenges that
require the attention of
"Virginia's Advocates for Equal
Justice”.
Under my leadership, and with
your support, the Old Dominion
Bar Association will not rest
comfortably on the laurels of its
rich legacy. Instead, we will build
on that legacy by participating
meaningfully as a National Bar
Association Affiliate in partnership