The 2025 edition of the Handbook of Virginia Local Government Law is published by the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc., a professional organization founded in 1975 and dedicated to improving the practice of local government law. 

Then-Roanoke City Attorney Wilburn C. Dibling instigated the idea of the Handbook, which was first published in 1982 under the direction of Steven L. Micas, formerly Chesterfield County Attorney and Prince George County Attorney, and Tommy Hudson, then Blacksburg Town Attorney. The 1982 edition was updated yearly before the Handbook was completely revised in 1992, primarily due to the efforts of Charles Flinn, then Arlington County Attorney, and Cynthea Perry, Special Counsel to his office. The 1992 edition was then supplemented yearly by Susan Warriner Custer, until April Wimberley joined the effort as Editor in 2020, serving through the publication of the 2023 Edition. The Handbook is included as a standard benefit of LGA membership; it is available as an online resource on LGA’s website, and may also be downloaded. 

This year’s version includes federal and state legislation, case decisions, Virginia Attorney General Opinions, and other relevant authority through at least September 1, 2024. The citations were verified as valid as of February 1, 2025. No effort has been made here to cite every statute or case that may be relevant to the matters discussed in the chapters, and the practitioner must supplement the reading with independent and updated research on specific questions. The Handbook is no substitute for independent research, and does not attempt to be an exhaustive summary of every issue the governmental practitioner may encounter. 

Moreover, the characterizations, analyses, and opinions advanced in the Handbook are solely those of the chapter authors, and do not represent those of the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia. 

As the scope and complexity of local government law practice has grown, so too has the scope of the Handbook. The traditional local government issues of land use, condemnation, blight remediation, taxation, finance, boundary adjustments, redistricting, FOIA, economic development, and schools are covered. Chapters on employment issues, torts, and Section 1983 help address the increasing litigiousness of our society. General areas of law such as antitrust, bankruptcy, environmental, professional responsibility, construction, and property are examined from the local government perspective. Areas of the law that have become statutorily complex, such as social services, conflicts of interest, and procurement, are also included. 

Public and private practice attorneys who are experts in their respective fields authored the chapters. The chapters were carefully reviewed by the Editor as well as by members of the LGA Publications Committee: Jordan K. Bowman, Darlene P. Bradberry, M. Tolley Gwinn, Kalli L. Jackson, Eric M. Lansing, Andrew P. Selman (Chair), Alan F. Smith, Tyler C. Southall, Susan L. Timoner, Amy Wilson, and Hannon E. Wright. The accuracy and usefulness of the Handbook is due to the expertise and commitment of these attorneys. 

Questions regarding purchase of the Handbook should be addressed to the LGA Executive Director, Amy V. Sales, at (434) 906-1778 or amy.sales@easterassociates.com. Any questions or comments regarding content, typographical errors, or format should be addressed to the Editor at (434) 951-9191 or dwagoner@nlrg.com. 

David Wagoner, J.D. 
Handbook Editor 
June 2025 

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