RBA Awards Luncheon on November 13th at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Our awards luncheon will be held on Thursday, November 13th from 12:30 – 2:00 pm. Cost to attend is $45 per person.
REGISTER
Or register by calling the Bar Office at 804-780-0700
Award recipients:
Young Lawyer of the Year – Amanda Bird-Johnson
Amanda Bird-Johnson has quickly distinguished herself as a leader in both the profession and the community. At Williams Mullen, she has served as Co-Chair of the RBA’s Bench-Bar Conference, contributed to the CLE and Communications Committees, and chaired the Virginia Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Division National Moot Court Committee. Recognized as one of “Richmond’s Finest” and named among Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s “Up and Coming Lawyers,” Amanda has also made an impact through pro bono advocacy and service on the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Board. Her dedication, leadership, and outstanding advocacy have earned her the respect of her peers and the broader legal community.
Hunter W. Martin Professionalism- Jack W. Burtch, Jr. (JB)
“With more than fifty years of practice, JB Burtch has exemplified the highest standards of civility, integrity, and mentorship in the Richmond legal community. Admired for his even temperament, generosity of spirit, and commitment to mentoring new lawyers, JB has consistently modeled the principles of professionalism both in and beyond the courtroom. His recent book, Raising the Bar: The Mentoring Guidebook for New Lawyers, further cements his legacy as a guide and inspiration for generations of attorneys.”
Hill-Tucker Public Service- Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn
Chief Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn has long championed public service, equal access to justice, and judicial integrity. Rising from private practice and the bench in Chesapeake to the Virginia Supreme Court (appointed in 2007) and then chief justice (2022), he’s served with humility, fairness, and dedication. He has co-chaired the Virginia Access to Justice Commission, sits on the Board of Directors of the Conference of Chief Justices, and has been honored with the Virginia Bar Association’s Gerald L. Baliles Distinguished Service Award for his broad contributions to the legal community.
John C. Kenny Pro Bono- Lisa A. Bennett
Lisa Bennett, Managing Director of Pro Bono & Triage at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, has devoted her career to expanding access to justice for underserved communities. She played a key role in launching an expungement clinic model to help clients clear records and improve housing opportunities, and she manages the Richmond Triage program connecting individuals with urgent legal needs to pro bono attorneys. In addition to training and recruiting volunteer lawyers, Lisa personally handles pro bono cases, particularly in the complex area of no-fault divorce. Her leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment have strengthened pro bono efforts across the region and made a lasting impact on the Greater Richmond community.
Additional awards will be presented to our 50 years of practice members and the University of Richmond Law Student Scholarships.