The VBA Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Bar Association.
Issue link: http://vba.epubxp.com/i/80228
%W XLI ½VWX JIQEPI 'LMIJ .YWXMGI SJ XLI :MVKMRME 7YTVIQI 'SYVX 'LMIJ .YWXMGI /MRWIV´W MRZIWXMXYVI PEWX ]IEV QEVOIH ER MQTSVXERX QSQIRX MR :MVKMRME´W LMWXSV] 4LSXS GSYVXIW] SJ XLI 3J½GI SJ XLI Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia we need more and more lawyers to step up and provide pro bono legal services. One thing I think I took away from it that I hope I can assist in some way is the need to encourage the members of the judi- ciary to look to their local bar and say to them, "Te judiciary encourages you and expects you to provide pro bono legal ser- vices." I decided to include in my State of the Judiciary address that I gave at the Judicial Conference in Norfolk a brief com- ment about that. I said to the judges there in attendance that I hoped that they would say to the lawyers that they see on a reg- ular basis in their localities, convey to them their expectations that they provide pro bono legal services, to remind them that with the privilege of practicing law comes the duty to help those who need legal services. So I hope that will help in some way. I'm open to other suggestions about ways that the judiciary can assist in this effort because I think that it's important and that it is a service that is needed to help Virginia citizens. We want access to the courts to be meaningful and that includes helping those litigants who need legal services but cannot afford to pay for them. % ;LEX EVI WSQI SJ XLI FIRI½XW SJ 8LI Virginia Bar Association working in conjunction with the Courts? I'm glad you asked me that because I wanted to take this opportunity first of all to say thank you to Te Virginia Bar Association, its leadership and its members because during the past year this organization has supported the judiciary in so many invaluable ways. Te Virginia Bar Association was just so helpful in getting the Rules of Evidence passed through the General Assembly. I cannot express in adequate words my sin- cere appreciation for that effort. Te Virginia Bar Association has spoken out at times and on issues when the judiciary could not speak for itself. Tey have been a voice for us and I am very appreciative and I say thank you to Te Virginia Bar Association on behalf of the entire ju- diciary in Virginia. I think it's important for every Bar organi- zation to recognize the need to step up and be supportive of the judiciary … and to educate and stress the importance of the independence of the judiciary. Marilyn Shaw is the communications coordinator for Te Virginia Bar Association. 26 t VBA JOURNAL