CHAP. 376.—An ACT to incorporate the Virginia State bar asso-
ciation.

Approved February 28, 1890.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That William J. Robertson, R. G. H. Kean, Thomas Tabb,
John W. Riely, James A. Walker, Holmes Conrad, Frank
V. Winston, 5. Ferguson Beach, John H. Fulton, Charles
A. Graves, William R. McKarney, Richard B. Tunstall,
James C. Lamb, Charles M. Blackford, William J. Leake,
Thomas S. Martin, Alexander Hamilton, James E. Heath,
Micajah Woods, George M. Harrison, F. H. McGuire, and
such other persons as are now associated with them in the
unincorporated society known as the Virginia state bar
association, or as may be hereafter associated with them
under this charter, be, and they are hereby, incorporated
under the corporate name of “the Virginia state bar asso-
ciation,” for the purpose of cultivating and advancing the
science of jurisprudence, promoting reform in the law
and in judicial procedure, facilitating the administration
of justice in this state, and upholding and elevating the
standard of honor, integrity, and courtesy in the legal
profession.

2. The said corporation shall have power to adopt a seal
and to change or break the same, to sue and be sued, and
in its corporate name to take, institute, and prosecute any
action, suit, or other proceeding in the courts of the land,
or elsewhere for the purpose of punishing or disbarring
unworthy members of the profession or persons assuming
its functions which may now be taken and prosecuted by
any natural person: provided, that the party so proceeded
against shall be a member of this corporation; to ac-
quire by lease or purchase a suitable building or rooms,
library, and furniture for the use of the corporation; to
borrow money for such purpose and issue bonds therefor,
and to secure the same by mortgage or deed of trust, and
generally to acquire by purchase, gift, devise, bequest, or
otherwise, and to hold, transfer, and convey any and all
such real or personal property as it may have and as may
be necessary to carry out the purposes of this corporation:
provided, it shall not hold real estate exceeding in value
the sum of one hundred thousand dollars.

3. The said corporation shall have power to make and
adopt a constitution and by-laws not inconsistent with
the laws of this commonwealth, rules and regulations for
the admission, government, suspension, and expulsion of
its members, for the collection of fees and dues, the num-
ber and election of its officers, and to define their duties,
and for the safekeeping of its property and the manage-
ment of its affairs, and to alter, modify, and change such
constitution, by-laws, rules, and regulations from time to
time.

4, Aj] interest of any member of said corporation in its
property shall terminate and vest in the corporation upon
his ceasing to be a member thereof by death, resignation,
expulsion, or otherwise.

5. The several officers of the said association at the time
of the passage of this act shall continue to hold their res-
pective offices, with the powers, duties and emoluments
provided by the constitution and by-laws of said associa-
tion until their successors shall be elected and installed,
and in case of any vacancy in any of said offices, such
vacancies shall be filled in the manner prescribed by the
constitution and by-laws already adopted by said associa-
tion, or as the same may, in conformity therewith, be
altered and amended by this corporation, and the present
constitution and by-laws of said association shall be the
constitution and by-laws of said corporation until the
same shall he altered or amended by said corporation.
All property, rights and interests of said association now
held by any or either of the officers thereof or any person
or persons for its use and benefit, shall by virtue of this
act vest in and become the property of the corporation
hereby created, subject to the payment of the debts of the
said association.

6. This act shall be in force from its passage.

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