History and projects
2026 Virginia State Bar Association of the Year
In late 2023, the LGA Awards Committee was tasked with determining if the organization eligible to apply for the Virginia State Bar (VSB) Association of the Year Award. After determining interest, Tara A. McGee, Awards Committee Chair, gathered a small group of volunteers, including Daniel “Dan” N. Whitten, Kelly J. Lackey, and staff in early 2024 to develop the five-page document linked below. After finalizing the application, the committee, along with the LGA Board of Directors, was so proud of the product, they felt it should be shared with membership in the 2024 July edition of the Bill of Particulars and live on our website for member access.
LGA’s application was not selected as the 2024 VSB Association of the Year. However, leadership and staff learned of areas where the association can improve member services and community outreach efforts, and ultimately what was produced showed us all that the association has accomplished and the good work done by our Board, committee and practice group chairs, and membership.
In true LGA spirit, the committee reviewed, revised , and submitted the application and were selected as the 2026 Specialty Bar Association of the Year. Thank you to President Kelly Lackey, Tara McGee, Brandi Law, and Lola Perkins for their effort to showcase the good work of our great association.
2025 50th anniversary history project
In one of her last acts as 2022-2023 LGA President, Lesa J. Yeatts appointed John C. Blair, City Attorney, City of Staunton, to lead an ad hoc History Committee to provide a history of the association, as well as significant cases and other items that impacted local government in Virginia. This committee produced two resources – an oral history captured in a series of recordings and a written history – leading up to and just after the association’s Fall 2025 conference.
