The Virginia Bar Association recently renamed its Distinguished Service Award in honor of former Gov. Gerald Baliles, director of the Miller Center of Public Affairs.
According to VBA Executive Director Guy Tower, the award is given to members of the VBA who have a history of exemplary public service to the state and also represents those members who are dedicated to the programs and mission of the VBA. Baliles' career in public service includes a term as state attorney general.
"Gerry's name came up, and we realized how we take our former governor for granted," Tower said. "Gerry is creative and innovative, and he thinks about what VBA means to him and to us."
Baliles has a long record of service to the state of Virginia and to the VBA that warrants the renaming of the award, Tower said.
"I believe Gerry should certainly be recognized as one of the most outstanding governors of modern time." Tower said. "He served as the first chair of the committee on issues of national and state importance and set the tone for it to become one of VBA's most important committees."
Baliles, who became a director of the Miller Center in April 2006, said all of his public service experiences have prepared him for the future.
"I can't select one [accomplishment] over the others, because one phase of life is preparation for the next," he said. "I've found that true in coming to the Miller Center -- all my experience has been invaluable in examining issues. My legislative experience was good for serving as attorney general. My experience here at the University is incredibly challenging. It's good to be back after so many years at the Law School, even more rewarding than 1,000 years ago when I was here."
The renamed Distinguished Service Award was presented to Supreme Court of Virginia Senior Justice Elizabeth B. Lacy last Friday at the VBA's annual meeting in Williamsburg.
"Justice Lacy was on our minds because she retired last year and we had been thinking about honoring her," Tower said. "We wanted to honor Justice Lacy not only because she was the first woman on the Virginia Supreme Court, but because she was a great jurist. Justice Lacy was very generous with her time and devoted a lot of it to the profession."
Baliles appointed Justice Lacy to the Virginia Supreme Court during his term as governor and prior to that she served as deputy to Baliles when he was attorney general.
"I've known her for many years," Baliles said. "I persuaded her to be the first female deputy attorney general when I was attorney general, I appointed her to the Supreme Court of Virginia."
Baliles said Lacy possess all the attributes of a good jurist.
"She is intelligent; she has integrity; she's disciplined and open-minded," Baliles said.
According to Baliles, he was pleased to hear that his long-time colleague was receiving the award now named after him.
"She has been very active in state organizations," Baliles said. "She secured a master's in law while she was here at the University, and I've taken great delight in watching her serve as a role model for young women in law school and [for] those who followed her to the bench"
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