REPORT FROM COUNSEL

 

Higgs Conducts Tax Sale of the former Evans Paint, Inc. Property

July 15 , 2010:  Steven L. Higgs, Tax Sale counsel and court-appointed Special Commissioner for tax sales for the City of Roanoke, conducted a successful Tax Sale of the former Evans Paint, Inc. property located at 1516 Cleveland Avenue in the City of Roanoke.  The sale has been confirmed by the Roanoke City Circuit Court, and a deed for the property has been delivered and recorded to the auction purchaser.

The City of Roanoke conducts auctions for properties that have delinquent real estate taxes, assessments for weed and trash abatement, and demolition or other related costs. The primary benefit of conducting tax sales is to sell property to responsible landowners who will develop and properly maintain the properties, and who will pay future taxes. Neighborhoods benefit from having responsible property owners.

Higgs Completes Term on Mill Mountain Advisory Committee  

                                                                                          

June 30, 2010:  Steven L. Higgs has successfully completed his term of office as a member of the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee.  The members of the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee are appointed by Roanoke City Council "to advise Council on the desirable method of developing Mill Mountain for the best advantage to the citizens of the City of Roanoke as to aesthetics and recreation."

Mr. Higgs has served on the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee since 1999, and has served as its Chair since 2001.  Under his leadership, the MMAC prepared and adopted in 2005 the "Mill Mountain Management Plan," a master land use management plan for Mill Mountain, that was adopted in 2006 by Roanoke City Council as part of "Vision 2001-2020," the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Roanoke.  The Committee recently adopted bylaws and established term limits for its members as part of a plan to transition the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee from a long-standing but ad hoc, or temporary, committee, to becoming a permanent committee of  the Roanoke City Council.

Higgs Again Named Virginia "Super Lawyer"     

June 24, 2010:  Steven L. Higgs has once again been named a Virginia "Super Lawyer" in the practice area of "Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights."  Mr. Higgs has also been listed again in the Coporate Counsel Edition of "Super Lawyers" Magazine. Only 72 Virginia attorneys were recognized as "Super Lawyers" in the practice areas of "Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights," and only 45 Virginia attorneys were additionally recognized in the Corporate Counsel edition.

Virginia "Super Lawyers" Magazine is published annually by the publishers of Law and Politics and Richmond Magazine.  No more than 5% of practicing Virginia attorneys may be selected as Super Lawyers.  The selection process, which according to the publishers is "designed to identify lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement," involves nominations from other lawyers, independent research on nominated candidates, and evaluation by a blue ribbon peer review process.

The selection process for the Corporate Counsel Edition of "Super Lawyers" Magazine, which according to the publishers was designed to identify "outstanding lawyers from small and midsized firms," involved three phases, including developing a pool of candidates, evaluation of those candidates based on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, and a peer review process.

Mr. Higgs was first named a Virginia Super Lawyer in 2006, the first year the recognition was offered in Virginia.

Higgs Named a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation

June 1, 2010:  Steven L. Higgs has accepted an invitation to become a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

The Fellows is an honorary organization of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars who have been nominated and elected by their peers to become members of The Fellows. They have "demonstrated outstanding achievements and dedication to the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles of the legal profession," according to the organization. The Fellows support the research work of the American Bar Foundation through their annual contributions, and sponsor seminars and events of direct relevance to leaders of the legal profession.

The American Bar Foundation was established in 1952 by the American Bar Association, and is now recognized as the premier institute for social science research on law in the country.  Membership in The Fellows is limited to one-third of one percent [0.00033%] of the lawyers in America.  The current number of The Fellows in Virginia is approximately 250; 17 reside in Roanoke.

 

Virginia Law Foundation Publishes Fourth Edition          

of Virginia CLE Debt Collection Handbook co-authored by Higgs

                                                                                          

May 1, 2010:  The the Virginia Law Foundation has published the Fourth Edition of the Virginia CLE Practice Handbook, Debt Collection for Virginia Lawyers: A Systematic Approach (4th ed., 2010).  Mr. Higgs is the author of three chapters of the book:  “Bankruptcy Considerations,” “Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,” and “Real Property Foreclosures.”  The two-volume book has been called the "most comprehensive book on the subject ever published in Virginia."  The Honorable Robert L. Pustilnik, a Judge of the Richmond General District Court, is the long-time editor of the Handbook.

 

Virginia Law Foundation Publishes Sixth Edition          

of Virginia Creditors' Rights Practice Handbook co-authored by Higgs

                                                                                          

October 12, 2009:  The Sixth Edition of the Virginia CLE Practice Handbook, Enforcement of Liens and Judgments in Virginia (6th ed., 2009), has been published by the Virginia Law Foundation.  Steven L. Higgs authored a chapter of the book on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  The book is one of the most popular titles published by Virginia CLE, and is available in both print and electronic versions.

 

Higgs Speaks at Continuing Legal Education Programs    

September 30, 2007; October 16, 2009:  Steven L. Higgs spoke at a popular continuing legal education seminar sponsored by Virginia CLE.  The program, "The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Update 2009)" was presented with Dale W. Pittman, a prominent consumer rights attorney.  The seminar was repeated as a telephone replay on October 16.  The program featured a two-hour joint presentation by Mr. Pittman and Mr. Higgs, followed by a live question-and-answer session during the final 15 minutes.  Over 100 lawyers attended the programs.  The seminar will be made available for online replay at a later date.

This seminar marked the 35th continuing legal education program in which Mr. Higgs has participated as a speaker or panel member since 1989.  Mr. Higgs has spoken at more than 50 individual seminars over the past 20 years.

 

Higgs Re-Elected Mill Mountain Advisory Committee Chair  

                                                                                          

September 24, 2009:  Steven L. Higgs was re-elected Chair of the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee by the unanimous vote of its other members.  The members of the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee are appointed by Roanoke City Council "to advise Council on the desirable method of developing Mill Mountain for the best advantage to the citizens of the City of Roanoke as to aesthetics and recreation."  The Mill Mountain Advisory Committee was first established in 1964 as the Mill Mountain Development Committee.  Mr. Higgs is only the third Chair in the history of the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee.  The original Chair was the late Carl M. Andrews, followed by Carl Kopitzke, who has also served as a member and as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and remains a current member of the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee.

Mr. Higgs has served on the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee since 1999, and has served as its Chair since 2001.  Under his leadership, the MMAC prepared and adopted in 2005 the "Mill Mountain Management Plan," a master land use management plan for Mill Mountain, that was adopted in 2006 by Roanoke City Council as part of "Vision 2001-2020," the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Roanoke.  The Committee recently adopted bylaws and established term limits for its members as part of a plan to transition the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee from its current status as a long-standing but ad hoc or temporary committee, to becoming a permanent committee of Roanoke City Council.

For a live image of the view from Mill Mountain, click here for the StarCam.

Higgs Again Named Virginia "Super Lawyer"     

June 22, 2008:  Steven L. Higgs has for the third consecutive year been named a Virginia "Super Lawyer" in the practice areas of "Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights."

Virginia "Super Lawyers" is published annually by the publishers of Law and Politics and Richmond Magazine.  Only 5% of Virginia attorneys are selected as Super Lawyers.  The selection process, which according to the publishers is "designed to identify lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement," involves nominations from other lawyers, independent research on nominated candidates, and evaluation by a blue ribbon peer review process.

Mr. Higgs was first named a Virginia Super Lawyer in 2006, the first year such recognition was offered in Virginia.  This year, only 44 Virginia lawyers were were recognized as "Super Lawyers" in the practice area of "Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights."

 

Higgs Joins Virginia CLE Bankruptcy Advisory Group         

                                                                                          

June 17 , 2009:  Steven L. Higgs has accepted an invitation from Virginia Continuing Legal Education and the Virginia Law Foundation to join the Bankruptcy Law Practice Area Advisory Group.  The group was established to provide Virginia CLE with consistent feedback on the issues that are most important to Virginia lawyers.  The group meets via telephone conference two to three times per year to provide ideas and feedback for future seminar and publication ideas on current bankruptcy issues.

 

Higgs in Corporate Counsel Edition of "Super Lawyers"     

June 17, 2009:  Steven L. Higgs has been listed in the Coporate Counsel Edition of "Super Lawyers" magazine in the areas of "Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights."  Only 32 Virginia attorneys were recognized in the practice areas of "Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights" in the Corporate Counsel edition.

"Super Lawyers" is published by the publishers of Law & Politics magazine.  The selection process, which according to the publishers was designed to identify "outstanding lawyers from small and midsized firms," involved three phases, including developing a pool of candidates, evaluation of those candidates based on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, and a peer review process.

Mr. Higgs was first named a Virginia Super Lawyer in 2006, the first year such recognition was offered in Virginia.    Mr. Higgs said, "it is gratifying to again have been recognized for professional excellence.  In-house corporate counsel have many resources to which they may turn in outsourcing specialized legal work, and this guide should prove invaluable to them as the individuals named as Super Lawyers are truly Virginia's elite bankruptcy practitioners."

Higgs Speaks at Foreclosure Seminar          

                                                                                          

June 10 , 2009:  Steven L. Higgs spoke in Fairfax at a continuing legal education seminar sponsored by Virginia CLE on the subject of foreclosures.  Mr. Higgs spoke on the topic of "Post-Sale" issues, and participated with moderator William H. Casterline, Jr., Paul K. Campsen, and Alexander M. Laughlin in the four hour panel-style seminar. 

The program, "Foreclosure Basics," is the latest installment of the series on Virginia foreclosures in which Mr. Higgs and the other three panel members have participated all nine times since the series began in 1993.  That seminar series was the genesis for the Virginia Lawyers Practice Handbook, Virginia Foreclosure Practice, published in 1999 and supplemented in 2001 by the Virginia Law Foundation.

This was the 34th continuing legal education seminar in which Mr. Higgs has participated as a speaker since 1989.

UPDATE:  The seminar is now available as an internet seminar from Virginia CLE.

 

Higgs Honored as Eagle Scout Mentor to Three    

                                                                                          

May 24, 2009:  Steven L. Higgs was honored by three Eagle Scouts who designated him as an Eagle Scout Mentor.  The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Boy Scouting.  The Eagle Mentor award was created by the Boy Scouts of America in 2004.  A new Eagle Scout will typically present an Eagle Mentor Pin to the person or persons who served as his "Mentor" as he worked toward the rank of Eagle Scout.

A combined Eagle Scout Court of Honor was conducted for seven Eagle Scouts from both Troop 210 and Troop 17 in Roanoke.  Mr. Higgs was honored by three Scouts from Troop 210, Ben Mullet, Kemper Steffe and Winston West, as one of their Eagle Mentors.  Mr. Higgs has served as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 210 since 2001.

Also attaining the rank of Eagle Scout was Mr. Higgs' son, Matthew, who is a third-generation Eagle Scout following the tradition set by his grandfather, Joe G. Higgs of Savannah, Georgia.  Mr. Higgs, who earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1973, was presented by his son with an "Eagle Dad" pin.  "Once an Eagle, always an Eagle."

 

Higgs Conducts Tax Sale for the City of Roanoke, Virginia

May 13 , 2009:  Steven L. Higgs, Tax Sale counsel and court-appointed Special Commissioner for tax sales for the City of Roanoke, conducted a successful Tax Sale for real property located in the City of Roanoke.

The City of Roanoke conducts auctions for properties that have delinquent real estate taxes, assessments for weed and trash abatement, and demolition or other related costs. The primary benefit of conducting tax sales is to sell property to responsible landowners who will develop and properly maintain the properties, and who will pay future taxes. Neighborhoods benefit from having responsible property owners.

A total of 27 parcels were sold at a combined price of well over $200,000.00.  The sale included developable vacant lots and single-family residences, and the former Evans Paint plant.  The next tax sale is tenatively scheduled for November 2009.  For more information, go to the City of Roanoke Tax Sale web page.

Virginia Law Foundation Publishes 2009 Edition          

of Virginia General Practice Handbook with material authored by Higgs

                                                                                          

May, 2008 :  The 2009 Edition of the Virginia CLE Practice Handbook, The Virginia Lawyer - A Deskbook for Practitioners (2009), has been published by the Virginia Law Foundation.  Steven L. Higgs authored the material included in the book on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

The handbook the book is the result of a cooperative effort between Virginia CLE and the Young Lawyers Division of The Virginia Bar Association, and is available in both print in electronic versions.

 

Virginia Law Foundation Publishes 2009 Supplement          

to Virginia CLE Debt Collection Handbook co-authored by Higgs

                                                                                          

April 6 , 2009:  The the Virginia Law Foundation has published the 2009 supplement to the Virginia CLE Practice Handbook, Debt Collection for Virginia Lawyers - A Systematic Approach (3d ed., 2007, supp. 2009).  Mr. Higgs is the author of three chapters of the book:  “Bankruptcy Considerations,” “Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,” and “Real Property Foreclosures.”  The two-volume book has been called the "most comprehensive book on the subject ever published in Virginia."  The Honorable Robert L. Pustilnik, a Judge of the Richmond General District Court, is the long-time editor of the Handbook.

 

Higgs Speaks at National Bankruptcy Conference          

                                                                                          

April 3, 2009:  Steven L. Higgs spoke at a continuing legal education seminar sponsored by the American Bankruptcy Institute on the topic of good faith in bankruptcy.  Mr. Higgs joined a distiguished panel of nationally known speakers to present a panel discussion entitled: After Marrama: Applying Good-faith Standards in Bankruptcy at the 2009 Annual Spring Meeting of the American Bankruptcy Institute.  Joining Mr. Higgs on the panel were David G. Baker (Law Office of David G. Baker; Boston, Massachusetts); Alane A. Becket (Becket & Lee, LLP; Malvern, Pennsylvania); and John Rao (National Consumer Law Center; Boston, Massachusetts).

The seminar was part of the 27th annual meeting of the American Bankruptcy Institute, held April 1 through April 4, 2009 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.  Nearly 1,000 bankruptcy professionals from around the United States, Canada, South America, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom attended the conference.

 

Higgs Speaks at Creditors' Rights Seminar          

                                                                                          

March 26, 2009:  Steven L. Higgs spoke in Richmond at a continuing legal education seminar sponsored by Virginia CLE on the subject of debt collection.  Mr. Higgs spoke on two topics: the "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act" and "Executions on Judgments."  The day-long seminar was based upon the Third Edition of the Virginia CLE Practice Handbook, Debt Collection for Virginia Lawyers - A Systematic Approach (3d ed., 2007, supp. 2009), published by the Virginia Law Foundation.  Mr. Higgs is the author of three chapters of the book:  “Bankruptcy Considerations,” “Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,” and “Real Property Foreclosures.”  The book has been called the "most comprehensive book on the subject ever published in Virginia."  The Honorable Robert L. Pustilnik, a Judge of the Richmond General District Court, is the long-time editor of the Handbook, and moderated the seminar.

This was the third time since 2001 that Mr. Higgs has participated in a seminar based upon this very popular Handbook.

UPDATE:  The seminar is now available as an online seminar from Virginia CLE.

 

The Higgs Law Firm Becomes Founding Member of NEFA  

December 17 , 2008:  Steven L. Higgs, P.C. has become a founding member of the National Equipment Finance Association. 

The National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) is a national association serving equipment finance companies, lessors and brokers. NEFA was formed in 2008 through the merger of two organizations, the United Association of Equipment Leasing (UAEL) and the Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors (EAEL).

"Membership in NEFA demonstrates our continuing committment to the leasing industry, and to strategic alliances that allow us to provide superior legal services to our leasing clients," said Mr. Higgs. Mr. Higgs is the author of the state law compendium for Virginia maintained by the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) for its members.   The compendium provides state-specific answers to many common legal questions arising in the equipment leasing and finance industry.  Mr. Higgs authored the first Virginia Compendium for ELFA in 2003.

 

The Higgs Law Firm Earns "A+" Rating from Better Busines Bureau  

December 15 , 2008:  Steven L. Higgs, P.C. has received a rating of "A+" from the Better Business Bureau, along with recognition for having no consumer complaints since the firm was founded.  The Better Business Bureau adopted in 2008 a practice of both accrediting and rating its member firms.  The Higgs Law Firm has been accredited since the program began, and ratings are being assigned as firms are evaluated.

According to the BBB, "the BBB assigns grades from A to F with pluses and minuses. A+ is the highest grade and F is the lowest. The grade represents BBB’s degree of confidence that the business is operating in a trustworthy manner and will make a good faith effort to resolve any customer concerns."  The Higgs Law Firm has had no consumer complaints since it was founded in 2004.

Mr. Higgs is a Senior Arbitrator on the National Panel of Consumer Arbitrators for the Better Business Bureau.  He has arbitrated cases for the Better Business Bureau since 1986, and has been designated as a Senior Arbitrator since 1988.

 

Higgs Completes 11th Season Coaching Soccer "Team United"    

November 7, 2008:  Steven L. Higgs has completed his 11th season coaching recreational soccer through the Roanoke City Department of Parks and Recreation.  In 1998, Mr. Higgs and Kamran Khalilian, a Professional Engineer with Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern, Inc., started coaching a recreational soccer team, "Team USA."  That team changed its name to the "United" in 1999, and Team United has played together each year through the 2008 season.  This year's team included five of the original 11 players.  Over the years a total of 48 boys and young men played soccer with the United, including 30 who played multiple seasons, and three who played all 11 years.  Team United played a total of 115 games, and had a winning record in each of its 11 seasons, including two undefeated seasons, one in which it held each of its opponents scoreless.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Photograph courtesy of Jim Horner

Back Row:  Matt Miller (3 years), Daniel Nassif (2 years), Kyle Osterhaus (1 year), Alex Dillon (9 years), Sam Khalilian (7 years), Will Longworth (5 years), Coach Steve Higgs.

Center Row: Bradley Russell (1 year), Andrew Burton (3 years), Benjamin Mullet (11 years), Matthew Higgs (11 years),  Lucian Grove (8 years), John Albert Hagy (11 years).

Front Row:  Stephen Guardipee (3 years), Jordan Fallon (3 years), Adam Nicholas (3 years/2004), Sol Simpson (3 years/2004) and Will Austin (5 years/1998).

Not Pictured:  Jack Spyhalski (3 years), Winston West (9 years), Assistant Coach Kamran Khalilian.

[Names of the original team members are in bold.  Three players pictured above have played with Team United every other year because of their birthdates and the league age brackets; those players are indicated by the year they began playing with Team United.]

"Recreational soccer provides an opportunity for youth that is matched by few other sports," Mr. Higgs said.  "It is easy to learn but challenging to play well; it teaches teamwork and discipline; but at the end of the day, it is just a fun game to play."  Mr. Higgs continued, "I have been privileged to have been allowed the opportunity to 'just have fun' with these young men and their friends for the past 11 years.  The members of Team United over the years have been unique in encouraging success without criticizing failure, and in appreciating their teammates' strengths without ever criticizing their weaknesses.  As most of these young men graduate and go on to college, they will remember these days as some of their best, and they will miss it, but not nearly as much as I will--We are United!"

Mr. Higgs also served as an assistant coach for an all-girls' recreational team, the "Magic," during 1996, and as a head coach for indoor winter soccer from 2001-2004, and so has participated as an assistant coach or a head coach in 15 sports seasons and over 150 soccer matches.  He has been Certified by the National Youth Sports Coaches Association since 2000.

Higgs Recognized by Virginia Bar Association as a "Community Servant"

October 31, 2008:  Steven L. Higgs was recognized by the Virginia Bar Association as a VBA Community Servant during 2007, and was presented with a certificate denoting the honor.  Mr. Higgs has been recognized as a VBA Community Servant during each of the five years the VBA has sponsored the program.  The VBA Community Servant and Pro Bono Servant program asks for 50 hours per lawyer per year of pro bono publico legal service, nonlegal community service or a mix of both to be designated as a "VBA Community Servant".

Community service recognized by the program includes "voluntary assistance, undertaken without expectation of a fee, and not in the course of ordinary commercial practice, to charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, and educational organizations or causes or for the good of the community," according to the Association.  "Participation in the program is voluntary," Mr. Higgs noted, "and therefore probably reflects only a small portion of the community service and pro bono activities donated by Virginia attorneys to their communities."  Mr. Higgs noted that 132 Virginia attorneys, including 9 Roanoke attorneys, were recognized by the Virginia Bar Association as VBA Community Servants during 2007.

The Virginia Bar Association is a voluntary, statewide organization of Virginia lawyers founded in 1888 and committed to serving the public and the legal profession by promoting the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and excellence in the legal profession; working to improve the law and the administration of justice; and advancing collegial relations among lawyers.  Mr. Higgs has been a member of the VBA since 1985.

 

Virginia Law Foundation Publishes 2008 Edition          

of Virginia CLE Bankruptcy Handbook co-authored by Higgs

                                                                                          

September 12, 2008 :  The 2008 Edition of the Virginia CLE Practice Handbook, Bankruptcy Practice in Virginia (2008), has been published by the Virginia Law Foundation.  Steven L. Higgs, together with William H. Casterline, Jr., authored a chapter of the book on the topic of  “Representing the Creditor.”

The handbook was originally published in 2004 and supplemented in 2005, and was extensively edited and re-written for the 2008 edition to reflect the changes in the law that have occurred since the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005.  The handbook, the "product of years of effort and experience by leading bankruptcy practitioners and judges," is available in both print and electronic versions.

 

Higgs Again Named Virginia "Super Lawyer"     

June 27, 2008:  Steven L. Higgs has for the third consecutive year been named a Virginia "Super Lawyer" in the practice areas of "Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights."

Virginia "Super Lawyers" is published annually by the publishers of Law and Politics and Richmond Magazine.  Only 5% of Virginia attorneys are selected as Super Lawyers.  The selection process, which according to the publishers is "designed to identify lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement," involves nominations from other lawyers, independent research on nominated candidates, and evaluation by a blue ribbon peer review process.

Mr. Higgs was first named a Virginia Super Lawyer in 2006, the first year such recognition was offered in Virginia.  Noting that only 40 Virginia attorneys were recognized in the practice areas of "Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights," Mr. Higgs said, "it is gratifying to again have been recognized by one's peers for professional excellence.  While there are certainly a number of highly qualified bankruptcy practitioners who are not included in this list, the individuals named as Super Lawyers are truly Virginia's elite bankruptcy practitioners."

Higgs Awarded Fourth President's Volunteer Service Gold Award   

June 10, 2008:  Steven L. Higgs was presented with a President's Volunteer Service Award at the 2008 annual meeting of the Roanoke Bar Association.  The Gold Award represented more than 500 hours of community service provided by Mr. Higgs during 2007.  In addition to his volunteer service on behalf of the Roanoke Bar Association and Virginia CLE, Mr. Higgs participates as a youth soccer coach, an Assistant Scoutmaster for a local Boy Scout troop, as a volunteer arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau, and as Chair of the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee.  This is the fourth PVSA Gold Award that Mr. Higgs has earned since 2004.

Mr. Higgs noted that 29 Roanoke attorneys were recognized by the Roanoke Bar Association for providing a total of more than 3,950 hours of pro bono legal services and other community service efforts during 2007.

Higgs Celebrates 25 Years in the Practice of Law 

May 17, 2008:  Steven L. Higgs today celebrated the 25th anniversary of his licensure to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Mr. Higgs graduated from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond in January 1983, after completing the requirements for graduation from law school in only 2-1/2 years.  He sat for and passed the bar examination in February of that year, and took his oath of admission before a specially-convened session of the Supreme Court of Virginia on May 17, 1983.  From 1983 until 1985, Mr. Higgs served in Richmond as the Executive Director of the Virginia Real Estate Commission (now the Virginia Real Estate Board), and as Assistant Director for Real Estate of the Virginia Department of Commerce (now the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation). In May 1985, Mr. Higgs moved to Roanoke and entered the private practice of law.

 

Virginia Law Foundation Publishes 2008 Edition          

of Virginia CLE General Practice Handbook with material authored by Higgs

                                                                                          

May, 2008 :  The 2008 Edition of the Virginia CLE Practice Handbook, The Virginia Lawyer - A Deskbook for Practitioners (2008), has been published by the Virginia Law Foundation.  Steven L. Higgs authored the material included in the book on the topic of  “Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.”

The handbook the book is the result of a cooperative effort between Virginia CLE and the Young Lawyers Division of The Virginia Bar Association, and is available in both print and electronic versions.

 

Higgs Spotlighted in Virginia Lawyer Magazine    

February 21, 2008 :  Steven L. Higgs is the subject of an article in the February 2009 Virginia Lawyer magazine published by the Virginia State Bar.  John Y. Richardson, Jr., President of the Conference of Local Bar Associations, penned the article requesting nominations for the 2008 Local Bar Leader of the Year, an award that was presented to Mr. Higgs in 2007.  The article, entitled "One of a Kind," highlights many of the activities for which Mr. Higgs was recognized in 2007.

"I was very surprised to read John's flattering article, which was actually pointed out to me by Barbara Allen, the former VSB liason to the Conference of Local Bar Associations," said Mr. Higgs.  "The real credit, however, belongs to the lawyers and leaders of the Roanoke Bar Association.  We have an extraordinarily collegial and generous bar, and remarkable bar and community leaders," Mr. Higgs said.  In the 11 years that the Local Bar Leader of the Year award has been presented, three of the 12 recipients [there were two recipients in 2006] have been members of the Roanoke Bar Association.

Higgs Recertified as Specialist in Consumer Bankruptcy Law    

January 26, 2008 :  Steven L. Higgs has been recertified as a specialist in Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification.  Mr. Higgs originally attained this certification a decade ago, in 1998.    The American Board of Certification is accredited by the American Bar Association to certify attorneys in the specialties of Bankruptcy Law and Creditors' Rights Law.  The bankruptcy practice of The Higgs Law Firm is limited to representing creditors.

In order to be certified as a specialist in Consumer Bankruptcy Law, Mr. Higgs:

The recertification requirements, and the process for applying for recertification, are similar to the original process for certification, but do not require retaking the day-long written examination.  Recertification is required every five years, and attorneys are subject to revocation of their certification if they fail to continue to meet the program's requirements. 

While there is no procedure in the Commonwealth of Virginia for approving certifying organization, the American Bar Association says "a lawyer who is a certified specialist has been recognized by an independent professional certifying organization as having an enhanced level of skill and expertise, as well as substantial involvement in an established legal specialty. These organizations require a lawyer to demonstrate special training, experience and knowledge to insure that the lawyer's recognition as a certified specialist is meaningful and reliable."

The American Board of Certification presented Mr. Higgs with a special lapel pin marking the tenth year of his board certification in Consumer Bankruptcy Law.   According to the American Board of Certification, "Board Certification should assist the public in identifying those attorneys who have the skills and have taken the extra time and effort to meet the rigorous standards of the ABC.  Board Certification is the mark of a dedicated legal professional."

The Higgs Law Firm also has extensive experience in business-related bankruptcies.  Mr. Higgs has been involved in virtually every major business-related Chapter 11 case filed in the Western District of Virginia over the past two decades, including Harman Mining Corp., Fitness and Wellness Solutions, Inc., Quorum Radio Partners of Virginia, Inc., RBX Corporation, and WDRL-TV, Inc.  We have also actively represented our clients in many Chapter 11 cases filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, including several of the so-called "mega-cases":  Computer Learning Centers, Inc., Heilig-Meyers Company, and Movie Gallery, Inc. 

The vast majority of bankruptcy cases filed, however, are in fact consumer-related cases.  In 2007, for example, cases filed under Chapters 9, 11 and 12 comprised less than 0.25% of the cases filed in the Western District of Virginia, while Chapter 13 cases made up more than 35% of the district's caseload.  Chapter 7 cases, which may involve either businesses or individuals, made up nearly 65% of the district's bankruptcy caseload  "We are prepared to aggressively assist our clients in protecting their interests in both business- and consumer-related bankruptcy cases throughout Virginia," said Mr. Higgs.

Your lawyer should be Board Certified.

Higgs Inducted as a Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation    

"I am truly humbled to have been selected for inclusion in this eminent group of Virginia attorneys and jurists," Higgs said.  "The Virginia Bar Foundation has a long and distinguished history of providing legal services and education to the citizens of Virginia, and it is a privilege to be a part of that effort," he concluded.  The Virginia Law Foundation was established by the Virginia State Bar in 1974 to improve and promote the administration of justice in Virginia. The Virginia Law Foundation has provided over $22 million in grants to support law-related public projects.  Its mission includes oversight of Virginia Continuing Legal Education (Virginia CLE), a continuing legal education sponsor providing the state’s largest selection of CLE seminars and practice handbooks.  Mr. Higgs is a frequent author and speaker for Virginia CLE.

 

Higgs and Scout Crew Complete SeaBase Bahamas Adventure    

Back Row:  Kemper Steffe, Ben Ries, Will Austin, Winston West, Will Longworth, Steve Higgs, Matthew Higgs,  Allan Longworth, First Mate Joee Patterson, Captain Dan Engel.

Front Row:  Lucian Grove, Alex Dillon, John Albert Hagy and Benjamin Mullet.

[The crew flag, designed by the Scouts and crafted by Diane Higgs, features Roanoke's Mill Mountain Star, a narwhale, and spells "Roanoke" in nautical signal flags on the left.  The right side features nautical penants with the troop numbers of the two troops represented by the crew, Troops 210 and 17, and signal flags that spell "VA."]

The William H. Albury, the last surviving Bahamian-built schooner.  Built in 1963 on Man-O-War Cay, the William H. is the Official Tall Ship of the Bahamas, and is the Flagship of the Boy Scout SeaBase Bahamas high adventure program.

2009 update:  The William H. is for sale.

Higgs Again Named Virginia "Super Lawyer"     

June 26, 2007:  Steven L. Higgs has again been named a Virginia "Super Lawyer."

Virginia "Super Lawyers" is published annually by the publishers of Law and Politics and Richmond Magazine.  Only 5% of Virginia attorneys are selected as Super Lawyers.  The selection process, which according to the publishers is "designed to identify lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement," involves nominations from other lawyers, independent research on nominated candidates, and evaluation by a blue ribbon peer review process.

Mr. Higgs was first named a Virginia Super Lawyer in 2006, the first year such recognition was offered in Virginia.  Noting that only 26 Virginia attorneys were recognized in the practice areas of "Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights," Mr. Higgs said, "it is gratifying to again have been recognized by one's peers for professional excellence."

Higgs Inducted into Litigation Counsel of America      

New York, NY -- June 21, 2007: Roanoke attorney Steven L. Higgs, of Steven L. Higgs, P.C., was inducted as a Charter Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America at the LCA’s Spring Conference and Induction of Fellows in New York.

The Litigation Counsel of America is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers, limited to fewer than 3,500 Fellows.  Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only.  Fellows are selected based upon effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation.  The LCA is aggressively diverse in its composition.  Established as a trial and appellate lawyer honorary society reflecting the American bar in the twenty-first century, the LCA represents the "best in law" among its membership, according to the LCA.

Higgs Named Virginia's "Local Bar Leader of the Year" for 2007 

June 15, 2007:  Steven L. Higgs was named Virginia's Local Bar Leader of the Year for 2007.  He was presented with the award at the 69th annual meeting of the Virginia State Bar.  The award, presented by the Conference of Local Bar Associations of the Virginia State Bar, is “designed to recognize past and presently active leaders in their local bar associations who have continued to offer important service to the bench, bar and public.”  Mr. Higgs, past president of the Roanoke Bar Association, was cited for his work in providing more programs for RBA members, more public recognition of RBA members, better coordination of the Roanoke Bar Association’s community services projects, and expanding RBA members’ access to free or low-cost continuing legal education programs.  He was also recognized for his other community volunteer efforts.

Above:  Higgs received the Local Bar Leader of the Year award from George W. Shanks, 2006–07 chair of the Conference of Local Bar Associations, and 2006–07 VSB President Karen A. Gould at a breakfast sponsored by the Conference of Local Bar Associations.  [Photograph courtesy of the Virginia State Bar.]

“RBA President-Elect Mark K. Cathey has noted that ‘lawyers are often our foremost community servants,’ and that is certainly true here in the Roanoke Valley,” Mr. Higgs said.  “Everything that we have accomplished as a bar has been to intended to provide more services to our members and to the public, to let the public (and other lawyers) know the good things that lawyers do for their communities, and to give back to the community--especially our youth,” Mr. Higgs said.  “I am receiving this award only because of the extraordinary quality of the RBA and its members,” he concluded.

Virginia Law Foundation Publishes Third Edition          

of Virginia CLE Debt Collection Practice Handbook co-authored by Higgs

                                                                                          

May 14, 2007 :  The Third Edition of the Virginia CLE Practice Handbook, Debt Collection for Virginia Lawyers - A Systematic Approach (3d ed., 2007), has been published by the Virginia Law Foundation.  Steven L. Higgs authored three chapters of the book on the topics of:  “Bankruptcy Considerations,” “Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,” and “Real Property Foreclosures.”  The book has been called the "most comprehensive book on the subject ever published in Virginia."

Higgs Awarded Third President's Volunteer Service Gold Award   

April 28, 2007:  Virginia Supreme Court Justice Lawrence L. Koontz presented to Steven L. Higgs a President's Volunteer Service Award at the 2007 Roanoke Bar Association Foundation Gala & Law Day Celebration.  The Gold Award represented more than 500 hours of community service provided by Mr. Higgs during 2006.  In addition to his volunteer service on behalf of the Roanoke Bar Association and Virginia CLE, Mr. Higgs participates as a youth soccer coach, an Assistant Scoutmaster for a local Boy Scout troop, as a volunteer arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau, and as Chair of the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee.  This is the third PVSA Gold Award that Mr. Higgs has earned since 2004.  "A friend of mine refers to it as the 'Atticus Finch Syndrome,' but there is not only a desire but a duty to give back to the community."

Mr. Higgs noted that 37 Roanoke attorneys were recognized at the Roanoke Bar Association Foundation Gala for providing a total of more than 5,250 hours of pro bono legal services and other community service efforts during 2006.