Legislative advocacy is one of the VBA's core values. You have an opportunity to get involved as our legislative agenda is developed, and we encourage all members to participate in the process. Our substantive law sections and affiliated organizations have begun working on legislative proposals for the 2016 session of the General Assembly. Those proposals will be presented for consideration at the VBA's annual Legislative Day on September 25 when the Board of Governors adopts our 2016 legislative agenda.

 

The VBA's legislative agenda is guided by several principles. First and foremost, we are nonpartisan. We eschew parochial interests. Rather, the VBA seeks to improve access to justice and the administration of justice for all Virginians. We seek to clarify the law when it may be uncertain or difficult to apply. We support uniformity and simplicity in judicial and administrative procedures. If you have ideas to improve Virginia law in accordance with these principles, the VBA is a great vehicle to make it happen.

 

As we prepare our 2016 legislative agenda, I am also pleased to report that the VBA's lobbying team will again be led by Jeff Palmore and Edward Mullen of Reed Smith LLP. The Board chose to continue our relationship with Reed Smith after a competitive RFP process, and after receiving a number of positive comments from VBA members about the team. We look forward to another successful session with their assistance and counsel.