Virgin Islands Bar Association

On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands held investiture ceremonies for Judge Venetia Harvey Velazquez and Magistrate Judge Christopher M. Timmons at the R.H. Amphlett Leader Justice Complex on St. Croix.

Chief Justice of the Virgin Islands, Rhys S. Hodge administered the oath of office, and Presiding Judge Jessica Gallivan presented both judges with their gavels.

The Virgin Islands Bar Association extends its warmest congratulations to Judge Velazquez and Magistrate Judge Timmons on their investiture and wishes them continued success in their service to the Judiciary and the people of the Virgin Islands.

What a wonderful few days of collaboration, connection, and fellowship!

From September 24–26, 2026, the Virgin Islands Bar Association was pleased to welcome the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP) to St. Thomas for its Fall Executive Council Meeting & Retreat, held in conjunction with VIBA’s Third Quarterly Membership Meeting & CLE.

The weekend began with a welcome dinner featuring local Virgin Islands cuisine and an opportunity for our guests to experience a taste of St. Thomas. Friday included meetings and CLE programming, followed by a special evening reception at Government House. On Saturday, the group traveled to St. John for additional CLE programming, along with time to enjoy the island, its beautiful beaches, and some shopping.

The Government House reception brought together VIBA members, bar leaders, and special guests, including VIBA President Shari N. D’Andrade, Esq.; NCBP President Juan Thomas, Esq.; VIBA Executive Director Hinda Carbon; Virgin Islands Bar Foundation Chancellor Trudy Fenster; Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach, serving as Acting Governor; Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea; Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett; Guam Bar Association President Jacqueline T. Terlaje; and New York State Bar Association President Taa R. Grays, Esq.

VIBA extends its sincere appreciation to NCBP for this wonderful collaboration and for choosing the Virgin Islands for its Fall meeting. We also thank the Office of the Governor and the Department of Tourism for their hospitality and support throughout the weekend.

Special Thanks

Our sincere thanks to planning committee members Anthony Ciolli, Esq. and Sherry Levin Wallach, Esq. for their excellent work and assistance in making the weekend a success. A special thank you as well to Michael Spivey for his support and assistance.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We are grateful to our generous sponsors whose support helped make these events possible: NCBP President Juan Thomas and Clifford Law Offices; Marjorie Rawls Roberts, Esq.; Michael Skandier, Esq.; Adriane Dudley, Esq.; Russell Pate, Esq.; Dudley Newman Feuerzeig LLP; and Right to Democracy.

And, of course, thank you to our VIBA members and everyone who participated in the meetings, CLE programs, and events. Your participation helped make the entire experience a success.

It was a memorable few days of learning, building relationships, and sharing a little of what makes the Virgin Islands so special.

Here are a few highlights from a wonderful weekend!

REGISTRATION OPEN!

National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP)
& VI Bar Association Third Quarterly Membership Meeting

September 25, 2026
The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef, St. Thomas


Virtual participation is also available.

Scan the QR Code for more details and to register.

Congratulations!

The Virgin Islands Department of Justice honors the life and legacy of Joseph Nathaniel Ponteen, former DOJ Chief Deputy Attorney General and former DOJ Acting Attorney General.

Mr. Ponteen dedicated more than four decades to public service, serving the people of the Virgin Islands with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to justice. His leadership, mentorship, and contributions to the Department and the Virgin Islands legal community will be remembered for generations.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Ponteen family, as well as his many friends and former colleagues. His legacy will continue to inspire all who follow in his footsteps.

Please see the attached tribute honoring his remarkable life and distinguished career.

https://usvidoj.com/v-i-department-of-justice-mourns-the-passing-of-former-chief-deputy-attorney-general-nathaniel-joseph-ponteen/

Member Spotlight: Attorney Anthony M. Ciolli Co-Authors First Casebook on U.S. Territories

The Virgin Islands Bar Association recognizes Anthony M. Ciolli for co-authoring The Law of the United States Territories, the first legal casebook dedicated exclusively to the law governing the United States territories. The book examines the constitutional, statutory, and judicial frameworks affecting Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. 

Attorney Ciolli has become a leading scholarly voice on territorial constitutional law and the continuing legal implications of the Insular Cases. His work has appeared in major law reviews and academic publications addressing citizenship, self-governance, equal protection, and federal-territorial relations. To access the book, please click here: https://cap-press.com/books/isbn/9781531023713/The-Law-of-the-United-States-Territories

Discounted Book Rate for Virgin Islands Bar Members

The Virgin Islands Bar is pleased to share that members may have access to a discounted rate for law of the territories. The publisher has offered a spacial price of $68 per copy (regular list price $170), a 60% discount. Don't miss this opportunity! To help reduce shipping cost, the publisher has agreed to a bulk order with one shipment to the VI Bar office for local distribution.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy as part of the potential bulk order, please send an email to [email protected].

Funeral Services:
The Honorable Ronald E. Russell, Esq.

As previously announced, the Virgin Islands Bar Foundation mourns the passing of The Honorable Ronald Russell. We write to share the following funeral arrangements so that members may pay their respects:

Lying in State Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Virgin Islands Legislature, St. Croix.

Celebration of Life Service Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 11:00 AM Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Frederiksted, St. Croix.

A repast will follow immediately after the service at Levels in Christiansted until 4:00 PM.

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Ronald E. Russell

The family of Ronald E. Russell is inviting family, friends, colleagues, and community members to share tributes, reflections, memories, photographs, and messages honoring his life, service, and legacy. Submissions may include personal reflections, photographs, and supporting materials and should be sent by June 1, 2026, to the dedicated memorial email address listed in the attached flyer. For more information, please refer to the flyer below.

The VI Bar extends our deepest condolences to his wife Attorney Royette Russell, his family, his colleagues and all who loved him.

Former Senate President Ronald Russell Dies, Leaving Legacy in Law, Politics, GERS and Frederiksted Advocacy Former Senator Ronald E. Russell, a longtime attorney whose public life spanned the Virgin Islands L...