Our Founders

In September 1974, approximately six months after being chartered by the State Corporation Commission, the nine founding directors of the then called Virginia Bar Foundation met together in Richmond for the first time.

The bylaws provided that all directors must be then serving members of the Virginia State Bar Council, and in fact, Howard W. Dobbins was then president of the Virginia State Bar (VSB), having begun his term July 1, 1974. James A. Howard had been VSB president the year before (73–74). Philip Sadler would serve in that capacity 75-76 and Joseph Spruill from 76–77.

Besides a particular commitment to their profession, as demonstrated by their leadership roles in state, local, and specialty bar associations, these men had in common a general commitment to service. Counted among them are decorated combat veterans of both World War II and the Korean War, several judges, mayors, town attorneys, commonwealth attorneys, members and officers of the governing bodies of colleges and universities, church vestrymen/elders/wardens, civic association leaders, honorary degree recipients, distinguished athletes, presidents of undergraduate and law school classes, and recipients of numerous awards for community involvement. They exemplified the ideals of citizen lawyers.

These founding directors leave a legacy of leadership and service that is inspiring.

I hope you enjoy their profiles.

Darrel Tillar Mason
Co-Chair, 50th Committee
Virginia Law Foundation