Bill Text: VA SJR72 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Honorable Helen Leiner.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-02-02 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ72ER) [SJR72 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-SJR72-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Honorable Helen Leiner retires as a judge of the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in 2018 after decades of work to support young people and families in Northern Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Helen Leiner earned her law degree from George Mason University, where she served as editor of the George Mason University Law Review; she clerked for judges in Fairfax County before entering private practice in the areas of family, juvenile, and criminal law; and
WHEREAS, a partner in several firms, Helen Leiner represented adults and minors accused of crimes and in matters involving protective orders, abuse, and neglect; she also served as a commissioner in chancery and acted as a guardian for children in court proceedings; and
WHEREAS, highly admired by her peers in the legal profession, Helen Leiner served on the Board of Governors of the Virginia State Bar Criminal Law Section, was a past president of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and served as a board member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, Helen Leiner was appointed as a judge of the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the 19th Judicial District of Virginia, where she has presided with great fairness and wisdom for more than a decade; and
WHEREAS, while serving as a judge, Helen Leiner presented lectures on family law, was a member of the Virginia Supreme Court District Forms Committee, and was a judicial liaison to court interpreters; and
WHEREAS, a woman of great integrity, Helen Leiner has served Fairfax County and the Commonwealth with the utmost dedication and distinction; and
WHEREAS, after her well-earned retirement, Helen Leiner plans to spend more time with her children, all of whom were inspired by her example to join the legal profession, and her grandchildren; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Honorable Helen Leiner on the occasion of her retirement as a judge of the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Honorable Helen Leiner as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her contributions to Fairfax County and the Commonwealth.