VSB NEWS < Noteworthy Brian L. Buniva Is President-Elect for 2020–21 Brian L. Buniva of Richmond is the Virginia State Bar president-elect for 2020–21. Buniva was unopposed in his bid for the presidency. Buniva will suc-ceed current President Marni E. Byrum of Alexandria on June 2020 . Buniva has practiced law for almost 40 years, including working for the Virginia Attorney General’s Offi ce, solo practice, practicing in small, medi-um-sized and large fi rms, as in-house counsel for an international manufac-turing company, and in his current role at B.L. Buniva Strategic Advisor, PLLC. Buniva has served on Bar Council and the council’s Executive Committee and has chaired the Administrative Law and Environmental Law Sections for both the VSB and the Virginia Bar Association. He served for many years as co-chair of the VSB Special Committee on Bench-Bar Relations. In his role on council he has stated, “My goals are to be a servant leader, protect the public, enhance the standing of our profession, improve access to justice, and be a voice for the independence of lawyers and the judiciary.” A graduate of Georgetown University, Buniva received his law de-gree from the University of Richmond. Dues Statements Mailed: What’s Different This Year? Virginia lawyers’ annual renewal state-ments for the 2019–20 year were mailed on June 17, and the deadline for renewal is July 31 — either received by mail or online at the VSB member portal. Delinquency fees will be assessed on all late dues and fees. What’s new this year on the state-ment? • Attorney Wellness Fund assessment: A $30 wellness fund assessment is re-quired beginning this year for all active lawyers. An initiative of the Supreme Court of Virginia, the assessment will fund a judges and lawyers assistance program and other activities that im-prove lawyer wellness. • Voluntary Pro Bono reporting: All active members are encouraged to report their pro bono contributions for the fi rst time this year, which will www.vsb.org be recorded anonymously unless an attorney chooses to provide a name and/or bar ID. As a reminder, the Clients’ Protection Fund assessment on active lawyers was reduced from $25 to $10 last year. This is the second year that change is refl ected on your dues. And, if you’re considering retire-ment, the court made changes to the requirements for Emeritus status in December 2017, which makes it easier to transition to pro-bono-only work. Please contact the Regulatory Compliance Department of the Virginia State Bar at (804) 775-0530 if you have questions about your dues statement. Read more at www.vsb.org/site/ news/item/dues_statements_2019. Vol. 68 | June 2019 | VIRGINIA LAWYER 35