McGuireWoods announced today that Leigh Middleditch, a senior counsel in the firm’s Charlottesville office, was honored by the American Bar Association’s Senior Lawyers Division with its John H. Pickering Award of Achievement. Middleditch was honored during the ABA’s annual meeting in Chicago this week.
Middleditch, who is also a vice president with McGuireWoods Consulting, began his career with McGuireWoods as an associate in 1959. Throughout his 50-year career, he has advised numerous private individuals, colleges, universities and tax-exempt organizations on matters involving private wealth, trusts and estates.
In addition to maintaining his practice, Middleditch, a Charlottesville resident, has been a tireless volunteer in the community, where he has assisted various philanthropic, community and educational organizations including the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Child and Family Services, the Mental Health Association, Charlottesville Free Clinic, WVPT-Virginia’s Public Television, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, United Givers Fund, and the Albemarle County Housing Committee. He also served as the chairman of the University of Virginia’s Miller Center for the Study of the Presidency.
“Leigh continues to be a role model and inspiration for all lawyers,” said Richard Cullen, chairman of McGuireWoods. “His commitment to the legal profession is matched only by his contributions to his community. We at McGuireWoods are so pleased that he has no intention of slowing down.”
“Best Lawyers in America” has listed Middleditch for more than 20 years, and he has received numerous accolades for his outstanding work for various organizations, including the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Paul Goodloe McIntire Citizenship Award from the Charlottesville-Albemarle Chamber of Commerce, an annual commemoration given to an individual who has made the greatest contribution to the community.
The John H. Pickering Award of Achievement honors the life and accomplishments of John H. Pickering, an outstanding lawyer who was involved in a wide variety of pro bono activities and law-related societal issues. Award recipients have demonstrated outstanding legal ability; and have compiled a distinguished record of service to the profession and their communities, resulting in significant contributions to improving access to justice for all. In addition to the Senior Lawyers Division, the ABA Commission on Law and Aging, the Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, and the standing committees on Pro Bono and Public Service and Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants take part in the recipient selection process.