Bill Rakes Wins First Lawyer Education Award

Bill Rakes

William R. Rakes, a partner of Roanoke-based Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore has won the initial Leadership in Education Award named in his honor and established by The Virginia State Bar Section on the Education of Lawyers in Virginia, in partnership with Gentry Locke.

The award was created to recognize those in the legal community who make significant contributions to the improvement of legal education in Virginia. Mr. Rakes will receive the honor at the 20^th anniversary of the Conclave on the Education of Lawyers held in Charlottesville April 22.

Mr. Rakes, former president of the Virginia State Bar and past-president of the American Bar Association Board of Governors has championed the cause of excellence in legal education throughout his career and will receive the award almost 20 years to the day of the inaugural Conclave on the Education of Lawyers he spearheaded in 1992. Mr. Rakes is a 1963 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law.

G. Michael Pace, Jr., Managing Partner at Gentry Locke said, “Bill has long been an advocate for excellence in legal education, the accreditation of law schools, upholding the principles of professionalism of all lawyers and enhancing relations among lawyers, judges, the legal academy and the public.”

“Throughout his career, Bill has set an example of excellence,” continued Pace.  “He believes passionately that excellence in legal education creates lawyers and judges who will also embody the highest ideals of our profession.”