The VBA Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Bar Association.
Issue link: http://vba.epubxp.com/i/99281
COVER STORY BY JOSEPH E. "JAY" SPRUILL III REED SMITH LOBBYING TEAM VBA initiatives for the 2013 General Assembly session T he VBA's sections and afliated organizations have worked tirelessly during the year on a number of law reform issues. Representatives from these groups came to VBA Legislative Day prepared to discuss their sections' work on proposed legislation. Te Boyd-Graves Conference also resulted in several bills that the VBA will pursue on its behalf. As of this writing, your lobbying team, working alongside VBA leadership and other dedicated members, is busy securing patrons for bills, discussing bills of interest with legislators, and plotting strategy for a successful session. What happens before the session with respect to a particular bill often is as important, if not more important, as what happens during session. As noted by VBA President Hugh Fain in his column this issue, our support of the judiciary has never been more important. We look forward to a robust discussion with legislators concerning judicial vacancies, court clerk positions and pay levels, and related issues. Another important priority will be supporting eforts to help fund legal aid for the poor. In Virginia, these programs have sufered $1.2 million in federal funding cuts over a twoyear period and face an additional 8.2 percent reduction in 2013. At the same time, revenue from Interest-on-LawyerTrust Accounts (IOLTA) has declined from $4.6 million in 2007 to $620,000 in 2012. Also, appropriations to legal aid from fling fees have been cut by $500,000. Tese dramatic reductions in funding have already resulted in signifcant layofs at legal aid ofces across the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, there will be more reductions if additional funding is not provided. Tis afects the capable legal aid lawyers and staf who devote themselves to helping the poor. More to the point, it afects the ability of the less fortunate in our midst to gain access to justice. Te VBA looks forward to working with Mark Braley, executive director of Legal Services Corporation of Virginia, and other legal aid leaders to pursue mandatory IOLTA and other legislative initiatives to address the funding crisis. Tere are also a number of bills that the VBA will pursue on behalf of its sections and afliated organizations. Two focus on writs of actual innocence. Te VBA will pursue legislation on behalf of the Criminal Law Section that would respond to weaknesses in the current statute, made plain in the Tomas Haynesworth case. Similarly, the VBA will support eforts on behalf of the Commission on the Needs of Children to enact legislation providing for writs of actual innocence for juveniles adjudicated delinquent of an ofense that would be a felony if committed by an adult. Your VBA lobbying team urges your involvement in 2013 legislative eforts. Te key to our success in the legislature is the dedication of so many lawyers across this Commonwealth who give so generously of their time and talents to improve Virginia's laws and its system of justice. n In 2011, Joseph E. "Jay" Spruill III joined Reed Smith LLP, where he is a member of the fnancial industry group and also a government relations practice. Tis is the second consecutive year he has led the VBA's lobbying team. Previously he served as general counsel for the Virginia Bankers Association. He has drafted numerous bills enacted by the Virginia General Assembly afecting banking and fnance. A member of the VBA, Spruill served in 2002 as Chair of its Corporate Counsel Section. 12 • VBA JOURNAL