Who We AreThe Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc. (LGA) was founded in 1975Our members are
LGA has over 300 members, represented by more than 800 public and private attorneys What We Do
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AnnouncementsAPRIL 2024: Bill of Particulars is available. Click here to view the April 2024 Bill of Particulars
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024-2025 SLATE OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Congratulations to the following officers and directors, who were elected at the LGA’s Annual Meeting on April 26, 2024, for the 2024-2025 year, beginning September 1, 2024: OFFICERS:
BOARD MEMBERS RETURNING FOR A SECOND TERM:
NEW BOARD MEMBERS:
THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS WILL CONTINUE IN OFFICE:
CYNTHIA BAILEY RECEIVES LGA’s 2024 A. ROBERT CHERIN AWARD At the Spring Conference in Richmond, the LGA awarded Cynthia A. Bailey the 2024 A. Robert Cherin Award for Outstanding Deputy or Assistant Local Government Attorney. Below is the text of the resolution bestowing the award upon Cynthia: 2024 A. ROBERT CHERIN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING DEPUTY OR ASSISTANT LOOCAL GOVERNMENT ATTORNEY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS OF VIRGINIA proudly honors CYNTHIA A. BAILEY with the A. ROBERT CHERIN AWARD for her exemplary public service and unwavering commitment to the highest ethical and professional principles, a commitment which enhances the image of local government attorneys in the Commonwealth. CYNTHIA HAS SERVED WITH HIGHEST DISTINCTION in the Fairfax County Attorney’s Office for approximately 25 years. As Assistant County Attorney, Cynthia worked in all sections of the office, handling land use issues, child abuse and neglect proceedings, and procurement matters. She was later appointed Deputy County Attorney and tasked with guiding the office’s legal work on public-private partnerships and affordable housing matters. Under Cynthia’s leadership, the section flourished, and its work now also includes public records, budgets and grants, procurement, and pensions. Cynthia also undertook the role of legal liaison to the County’s boards, authorities and commissions, which was no small undertaking in a jurisdiction the size of Fairfax County. THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, Cynthia has shown a boundless devotion to the Fairfax County Attorney’s Office, its employees, and the practice of local government law. She has devoted countless hours to office reorganization initiatives, including development and oversight of a thoughtful and creative new section of the office. Cynthia was also quick to volunteer to teach courses for the office’s paralegals. Her esprit de corps has always been evident as she routinely hosted the office’s large and often noisy holiday parties at her own home. SHE CONSISTENTLY WORKS TO ENHANCE THE IMAGE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS in Virginia. She has been very active in the Virginia State Bar’s Local Government Section and served as its Chair in 2021-2022. Cynthia is a graduate of Leadership Fairfax, an area leadership organization devoted to developing, connecting, and inspiring leaders of diverse backgrounds and experiences. In addition to being a graduate, Cynthia served on its Board of Directors, ascending to Chair in 2022-2023. Cynthia has also been an active member of LGA throughout her career, routinely attending conferences. On an informal level, Cynthia has extensively coordinated with colleagues across the Commonwealth and taught numerous statewide legal seminars, as part of her demonstrated and sustained efforts to achieve excellence in the practice of local government law. CYNTHIA WILL LEAVE A SUBSTANTIAL LEGACY in the Fairfax County Attorney’s office. She has influenced a multitude of areas of county government and mentored countless attorneys, instilling in them her own strong commitment to – and enthusiasm for – the practice of local government law. Locally and statewide, Cynthia’s endeavors have reflected positively on local government attorneys and their deep commitment to the public good. THEREFORE, in recognition of her numerous achievements, her laudable service to our profession, and her admirable character, the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc. on this 26th day of April, 2024, enthusiastically, proudly, and gratefully bestows the 2024 A. ROBERT CHERIN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING DEPUTY OR ASSISTANT LOCAL GOVERNMENT ATTORNEY UPON CYNTHIA A. BAILEY. LGA HONORS AD HOC COMMITTEE ON LEADERSHIP TRAINING The Walter C. Erwin, III Special Projects Award recognizes the LGA’s members who have performed work on an LGA project or other project of significant importance to the LGA or local government generally. The purpose of this award is to encourage greater service to the LGA and/or local government and to honor members whose projects have been especially effective and successful. At the At the Spring Conference Awards Banquet, the LGA bestowed the Walter C. Erwin, III Special Project Award on the LGA’s Ad Hoc Committee for Leadership Training for the creation and implementation of a Leadership Training Program tailored to local government attorneys. From its genesis in Fall 2022, the effort to create and implement a Leadership Training Program tailored to local government attorneys was an ambitious endeavor. However, it was not long after the LGA Ad Hoc Committee was appointed that the program began to shape up and communication and coordination with the Virginia State Bar Local Government Law Section was initiated. Both groups, consisting entirely of LGA members, brought substantial capabilities and commitment to this project. The resulting Leadership Training Program that rolled out earlier this year is nothing short of amazing. The Leadership Training Program is an exciting first-time collaboration between the Virginia State Bar Local Government Law Section, Local Government Attorneys of Virginia (LGA), and the Virginia Institute of Government. The program is geared toward new and aspiring local government chief counsel. The Program represents an innovative recognition of the legal, management, and leadership skill sets needed for the attorney’s success in an important and demanding role in public service. Specifically, the two-year course of study will include (1) a core curriculum on substantive areas of local government law, (2) training in management skills (e.g., budgeting and personnel management), and (3) intangible or leadership training. Course requirements will be met with a combination of webinars, LGA conference programming, and a two-day in-person seminar led by the Virginia Institute of Government adapted from their highly regarded SEI and LEAD program, for the role of chief legal counsel. LGA thanks the following ad hoc committee members:
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