Troutman Sanders Mourns the Passing of Richmond Partner James “Jim” Roberts
Troutman Sanders mourns the passing of Richmond partner James “Jim” Roberts, who passed away on March 8, 2015, at the age of 82.
“Jim was a great leader for many years of Mays & Valentine, and when that firm merged with Troutman Sanders in 2001, the combined firm greatly benefitted from his outstanding skills and his influential presence,” said Bob Webb, Chairman of Troutman Sanders. “He was recognized by many in the Virginia legal community as the best lawyer in Virginia, and he was beloved by his partners and his clients, alike. He was a great friend to many of us, not only in Virginia but also throughout the firm. We will miss him tremendously.”
Jim was one of the firm’s senior litigators, with more than 50 years experience in trial and appellate practice. Over those 50 years, he developed and maintained a reputation as one of Virginia’s most skilled trial attorneys,
often called upon by other lawyers, within the state and elsewhere, to assist with major trials and appeals. His trial experience included handling significant civil and criminal cases in every field of law. He possessed extensive
experience in the state and federal courts in Virginia and had substantial appellate experience before the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Virginia Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
He was also engaged in a significant regulatory practice before the Virginia State Corporation Commission in the areas of insurance, telecommunications, and electric utility regulation.
Jim served as president of the Richmond Bar Association in 1977, president of the Virginia State Bar from 1980 to 1981 and president of the John Marshall Inn of Court in 1990. He received numerous awards and accolades over the years, including the Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award, the Richmond Bar Association’s Hunter W. Martin Professionalism Award, the Robert R. Merhige Jr. Outstanding Achievement Award and the Virginia State Bar’s Tradition of Excellence Award.
Jim was a tireless philanthropist. He helped found the predecessor to the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in the 1950s and was a devoted volunteer for Legal Aid. In 2004, Troutman Sanders established the “James C. Roberts Award” to recognize outstanding pro bono achievements by other lawyers within the firm.
Additionally, Jim served on many foundations and boards, including chairing the Theresa A. Thomas Memorial Foundation, the University of Virginia School of Nursing Advisory Board, and Senior Navigator. In addition, he served as vice-chair of the Medical College of Virginia Foundation. He also served as a trustee on the University of Virginia Health Foundation and on the boards of the State Fair of Virginia, Virginia Military Institute, Commission on the Future of Virginia's Judicial System, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Westminster Canterbury of Richmond and the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System.
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