For the third year in a row, McGuireWoods organized and sponsored the annual Virginia Bench-Bar Dinner, hosted by the Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference (YLC) on Oct. 9, 2024, at the Williamsburg Lodge.
The dinner and reception provided a unique opportunity for attorneys to meet and recognize the accomplishments of state and federal judges who identify as women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ and/or disabled in a collegial atmosphere. This celebration of diversity was particularly impactful in a year marked by attacks on marginalized communities across the country. This year’s event honored 25 judges, including several who were historic appointments. Judge Jasmine H. Yoon was the first Asian American judge and Judge C. Kailani Memmer was the first openly gay judge appointed in the Western District of Virginia. Judge Razan J. Fayez was the first Muslim and Arab judge appointed in Virginia state court.
Lawyers and guests from across the state attended the event, enjoying a reception, dinner and remarks by YLC president and McGuireWoods alumnus Ben Shute, University of Richmond School of Law’s Black Law Students Association President Kathryn Threatt and Virginia State Bar President Michael York. Judge Angela E. Roberts, who, in 1990, became the first African American woman appointed as a judge in Virginia, gave the keynote address.
Richmond associates Jordan LaPointe and Rambert Tyree co-chaired the event. Other McGuireWoods attendees included Richmond associate Tristan Smith and Tysons associates John Sullivan and Samuel Adelmann.