WHEREAS, the Honorable Leonard W. Lambert, Sr., of Richmond, a respected attorney and civic leader and a former substitute judge of the 13th Judicial District of Virginia, died on November 18, 2015; and

WHEREAS, a native of Henrico County, Leonard Lambert attended Virginia Randolph High School; graduated cum laude from Virginia Union University, and earned a law degree from Howard University; and

WHEREAS, after completing his education, Leonard Lambert served his fellow Richmond residents as an attorney in private practice, establishing the firm Leonard W. Lambert & Associates; and

WHEREAS, in 1973, Leonard Lambert was appointed as a substitute judge of the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court; he was the first African American to hold any judgeship in the City of Richmond and presided with great fairness and wisdom; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Lambert worked to strengthen and enhance the community as a founder of the Garfield F. Childs Memorial Fund, as a member of the national board of the YMCA, and as chair of the Arthur Ashe Memorial Committee; and

WHEREAS, a man of deep and abiding faith, Leonard Lambert enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a member of Westwood Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Leonard Lambert served the Commonwealth and the City of Richmond with integrity, dedication, and distinction; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by one son, Ralph, Leonard Lambert will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his loving wife of 52 years, Sylvia; children, Leonard, Jr., Linda, Brice, and Mark, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable Leonard W. Lambert, Sr., a respected attorney and civic leader in the Richmond community and a former substitute judge of the 13th Judicial District of Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable Leonard W. Lambert, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.