Old Dominion Bar Association
About Old Dominion Bar Association
Founded in Richmond, Virginia in 1942, the Old Dominion Bar Association emerged from a pivotal moment of civil rights advocacy when attorney Frederic Charles Carter refused to be segregated in the Virginia Supreme Court law library. What began as a response to discrimination has evolved into one of the nation's premier African-American bar associations, dedicated to the mission of being "Virginia's Advocates for Equal Justice." For over 80 years, ODBA has served as a vital community for African-American attorneys and lawyers of color, providing continuity of leadership and support on issues of particular importance to underrepresented populations in the legal profession. The organization's legacy includes significant achievements in judicial appointments, with ODBA members working diligently to ensure African-American lawyers received consideration for judgeships throughout Virginia. Today, the association continues addressing the civil rights, disenfranchisement, and criminal justice issues that inspired its founders, recognizing that the work of equal justice remains incomplete. ODBA's membership represents a diverse community of legal professionals committed to professional growth, scholarship, and meaningful activism. The organization actively engages its members through annual conferences, networking events, and collaborative programming with other affinity bar associations. By joining ODBA, attorneys become part of a historic movement rooted in dignity, professional excellence, and the unwavering pursuit of equal justice for all Virginians.