Old Dominion Bar Association

Virginia’s Statewide Bar Association for African American attorneys dedicated to promoting its mission of being "Virginia's Advocates for Equal Justice.”

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

Happy Black History Month from the Old Dominion Bar Association!

This month we will be showcasing contributions from African Americans to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. From the first African American Virginia Supreme Court Justice to the first African American President of the Virginia State Bar, we will highlight the legacies of these African American Judges and Lawyers. We hope that you enjoy these profiles as much as we did preparing them. 👩🏾‍⚖️⚖️👨🏾‍⚖️

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

A towering figure in the Northern Virginia legal community, Judge Gerald Bruce Lee has devoted his career to advancing excellence, service, and diversity in the law. Raised in Southeast D.C., Judge Lee’s early life was shaped by discipline and hard work. From sweeping Southeast streets to picking tobacco, he learned early the value of purpose, perseverance, and pride in one’s work.

Awarded the Frederick Douglass Scholarship, Judge Lee attended American University, earning a degree in Communications before returning to American to receive his law degree. He spent fifteen years as a trial attorney, becoming a partner at Cohen, Dunn & Sinclair before beginning his judicial career.

In 1992, Judge Lee was appointed to the Fairfax County Circuit Court, becoming only the second African American to serve on that bench. Six years later, President Bill Clinton nominated him to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where he made history as the first African American judge to serve in the Alexandria Division. After nearly two decades on the federal bench, Judge Lee retired in 2017 and returned to private practice, where he continues to serve as a mediator.

As a founding member of the Northern Virginia Black Attorneys’ Association, Judge Lee’s influence extends far beyond the courtroom. Through mentorship and example, he has shaped generations of lawyers and judges, consistently urging them to pursue greatness and embrace what he calls the “adrenaline of excellence.” Countless judges, attorneys, and law students are forever indebted to him for the time, attention and care that he has unselfishly provided them and their careers.

Today, ODBA proudly honors Hon. Gerald Bruce Lee for the extraordinary service, leadership, and enduring legacy of unselfishness that he has epitomized throughout his life and career.

Image courtesy of Jose Rosado.

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

Happy Black History Month from the Old Dominion Bar Association!

This month we will be showcasing contributions from African Americans to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. From the first African American Virginia Supreme Court Justice to the first African American President of the Virginia State Bar, we will highlight the legacies of these African American Judges and Lawyers. We hope that you enjoy these profiles as much as we did preparing them. 👩🏾‍⚖️⚖️👨🏾‍⚖️

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

From segregated classrooms in Norfolk to the bench of the Circuit Court, Hon. Jerrauld C. Jones has built a career defined by resilience, public service, and historic firsts. Raised in Norfolk, Virginia, Judge Jones attended school before desegregation, coming of age during a period of intense resistance to change.

That resistance followed him when he earned a scholarship to the newly integrated Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg. His presence was openly challenged with “[redacted] go home” left on his dormitory wall, and Confederate flags waved in protest. Yet Judge Jones persisted, forming meaningful bonds with classmates and laying the foundation for a lifetime of perseverance and leadership.

After graduating with honors from Princeton University, Judge Jones briefly stepped away from law to pursue another calling as a jazz trumpeter, performing professionally for a year before turning his focus back to public service. He earned his law degree from Washington and Lee University in 1980, launching a legal career that would break barriers across the Commonwealth.

Judge Jones was selected to clerk for the Supreme Court of Virginia, becoming the first African American to serve in that role since Reconstruction. He went on to serve as a prosecutor before spending nearly twenty years in private practice, later accepting an appointment as Director of Juvenile Justice.

His commitment to public service extended beyond the courtroom. Judge Jones represented Virginia’s 89th District in the House of Delegates for eight terms while continuing to practice law. In 2005, he was appointed to the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, and in 2008, he was elevated to the Norfolk Circuit Court, where he continued to serve until his retirement for health reasons in 2024.  He passed shortly thereafter after a brief battle with illness.

Judge Jones is among the few Virginians to have served in all three branches of state government. His influence has also reached the national stage through consulting work with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Vera Institute of Justice.  His son, Jay Jones was recently elected as the first African American Attorney General in the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  In a career boasting of more recognitions to count, Judge Jones frequently cited Jay as his greatest pride.

Today, ODBA honors the extraordinary career and lasting impact of Judge Jerrauld C. Jones.

Image courtesy of The New York Times Magazine.

[Attorney General Jay Jones @AGJayJones]

🧵On January 20, 2026, Tillman Breckenridge was sworn in as the first Black solicitor general in Virginia’s history. Breckenridge earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and founded the Appellate & Supreme Court Clinic at William & Mary Law School.

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

The Old Dominion Bar Association invites all Americans to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

His legacy remains precious and important to us today. We invite all to take a moment with us today to contemplate his example of moral courage and leadership. ⚖️❤️🫶🏾

[Rex Flynn @RexFlynnEsq]

Introducing the First African American Woman Circuit Court Judge in the History of Portsmouth, Va. My dear friend, Hon. LaVonda Graham-Williams. 👩🏾‍⚖️❤️🫶🏾🥹

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

Happy Holidays from your family at the Old Dominion Bar Association! We hope that your 2025 was all that you desired and that you are blessed to spend this holiday season with family, friends and loved ones. ❤️🙏🏾🎄🎅🏾

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us in the Old Dominion Bar Association. May your holiday be filled with love and family. 🙏🏾❤️🦃

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

Today the Old Dominion Bar Association gratefully honors all of our fellow Americans whose selflessness, patriotism and love of country caused them to serve our beloved United States of America through their military service. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

On the 2nd day of the Judicial Conference the District Court Judges of the ODBA posed with the Chief Justice of the Va Supreme Court, Hon. S. Bernard Goodwyn, during his final Conference. He will be fondly remembered for his leadership, guidance & support of the Va Judiciary👨🏾‍⚖️👩🏾‍⚖️

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn flanked by some of his ODBA judicial colleagues at the 2025 Virginia District Court Judicial Conference in Virginia Beach.

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

Today several ODBA members attended a @VAStateBar indigent defense seminar named in honor of Chief Justice Leroy R. Hassell. He was a passionate advocate for improving indigent criminal defense in the commonwealth, and he was the first African American Chief Justice in Virginia

[Old Dominion Bar Association @ODBABarVa]

On January 1, 2026 the Supreme Court of Virginia will have its first ever African American Woman Chief Justice.

Today the Old Dominion Bar Association PROUDLY celebrates the trailblazing legal and judicial career of Chief Justice-Elect Cleo E. Powell.