Each year, GRBF celebrates the good works of its volunteers and presents two awards to those who have made outstanding contributions and exhibited strong leadership in pro bono.
George H. Hettrick Leadership Award:
In 2015, GRBF established the George H. Hettrick Pro Bono Leadership Award*, to recognize outstanding efforts, innovative thinking, and the development of pro bono programs designed to reach unmet legal needs in our community. Candidates for this award should meet the following criteria:
- 1. Have been a member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar with laudable professionalism and personal character
- 2. Demonstrated a commitment to provide legal services to the underserved
- 3. Inspired and guided others to participate in the provision of pro bono services
- 4. Established effective partnerships in the legal services arena to sustain service delivery
- 5. Contributed positively to the legal landscape of the Commonwealth of Virginia area through the development and implementation of innovative approaches to pro bono service delivery
*About the George H. Hettrick Award
*George H. Hettrick was a founding member and Past President of the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation. Mr. Hettrick served as Chair of Hunton Andrews Kurth’s Pro Bono Leadership Committee and established pro bono offices of Hunton in the Church Hill Community of Richmond, as well as in Charlottesville and in Atlanta. Under his leadership, Hunton developed an exemplary pro bono culture and years of 100% pro bono participation. He was the founder of Firms In Service, a pro bono collaboration among Richmond’s leading law firms and corporate legal teams. He served as a member of the Virginia Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission. His pro bono leadership was recognized locally, statewide, and nationally.
Past Recipients
2025: Julie McDonnell
2024: Tara L. Casey
2023: Mahlon G. (“Bud”) Funk, Jr.
2022: Chief Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn
2021: Sharon Burr
2020: Alexandra “Ali” Silva
2019: Martin “Marty” D. Wegbreit
2018: Lonnie “Chip” D. Nunley, III
2017: Brian R. Marron
2016: Stephen “Steve” A. Northup
2015: Bob Barrett, Matt Kapinos, & Heather Lockerman (Veterans Initiative)
*The George Hettrick Leadership Award was established in 2015
Whenever we reach out to help someone else, to provide our talent, our skills, to another human being who needs it, and we do that without expectation of anything in return, we grow spiritually. And for that, we are better people.– George Hettrick
Benjamin R. Lacy, IV Volunteer of the Year Award:
In 2008, GRBF established the Pro Bono Clearinghouse Volunteer of the Year Award*, to recognize volunteers dedicated to pro bono service to the nonprofit sector. Since then, GRBF has expanded the scope of the award to recognize pro bono efforts on a broader scale. Candidates for this award should meet the following criteria:
- 1. Be a member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar with laudable professionalism and personal character
- 2. Demonstrated a commitment to provide pro bono legal services
- 3. Actively volunteered with any Virginia pro bono programs
*About the Benjamin R. Lacy, IV Award:
The Late Benjamin R. Lacy, IV was a long-time shareholder at Sands Anderson and a member of GRBF’s Board of Directors. He had an exemplary career and was recognized by all as a wonderful lawyer, volunteer, and friend. In 2008, GRBF recognized Mr. Lacy as the recipient of the first Pro Bono Clearinghouse Volunteer of the Year for his superlative service to nonprofits. In his honor, the Foundation renamed the Clearinghouse Award after Mr. Lacy, posthumously, in 2012.
Past Recipients
2025: Danny Zemel
2024: Daniel L. (“Dan”) Rosenthal
2023: Gray Montrose
2022: Michael P. (“Mike”) Goldman
2021: Alexandria E. (“Alex”) Cuff
2020: Eviction Diversion Program Team Leadership: Jennifer “Jendy” D. Daglio, Sarah B. Warner, Joshua “Josh” P. Hanbury, and Andrew “Drew” F. Gann, Jr.
2019: Colleen M. Nichols
2018: Christopher “Chris” M. Malone
2017: J. William “Bill” Gray, Jr.
2016:John M. Oakey, Jr.
2015:Phyllis Katz
2014: Samantha “Sam” S. Otero
2013: G. Andrew “Andy” Nea, Jr.
2012:T.W. Bruno
2011:Jamie Barber
2010:Kevin A. White
2009:Robert Brooke
2008: Benjamin “Ben” R. Lacy, IV*