WRG is extremely proud of our own Cheshire Eveleigh for being awarded the Virginia Bar Association’s, Legislative Advocacy Award. To follow is a press release from the VBA and photos from their 125th Summer Meeting.
RICHMOND, Va. (July 31, 2015) – The Virginia Bar Association made two special presentations during its 125th Summer Meeting, in recognition of extraordinary leadership, dedication and public service.
Cheshire I’Anson Eveleigh “is a staunch advocate for improving our family law to make it more clear and more fair to everyone, not just her clients,” VBA President Harry M. “Pete” Johnson III said when he presented her with the VBA Legislative Advocacy Award. “She has been instrumental in developing the VBA’s position on virtually every piece of important family law legislation for years.”
Eveleigh received the honor, which recognizes outstanding service in promoting the legislative agenda of the VBA, July 24 at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va.
She has been an active VBA member for the past 19 years. Since 2008, she has chaired the Virginia Family Law Coalition, a volunteer group that develops and advances a nonpartisan legislative program to address matters faced by Virginia citizens in court on domestic issues. It also supports legislative inquiries related to family law. The coalition was created by the VBA Domestic Relations Section and now is a collaboration of the VBA and the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association.
Johnson applauded Eveleigh’s expertise and skill in leading the coalition, and her tireless efforts during General Assembly sessions, “whether testifying, tracking and managing key bills and last-minute amendments, or working with our lobbyists on strategy.”
Eveleigh told more than 300 banquet-goers: “The legislative process is such an integral part of what we do as an independent bar that I would encourage all of you to become involved, even if it’s sending an email, making a call. You don’t have to go to Richmond to be involved, ¼ but step forward, be part of the process. And let’s make Virginia law better every single day.”
A family law attorney with the Virginia Beach firm of Wolcott Rivers Gates, Eveleigh is the second recipient of the VBA Legislative Advocacy Award. The first honoree was Patrick C. Devine Jr. in 2011.
Advocacy is a core value of the VBA, and effective legislative advocacy is critical to the organization. Its mission is to clarify and simplify the law and to enhance access to justice for all Virginians.
