The Shadow
The Virginia Law Foundation inducted the 2010 Class of Fellows January 21 during the Virginia Bar Association’s Annual Meeting held in Williamsburg. Russell W. Updike Esq., managing partner of Wilson, Updike and Nicely Law Firm in Covington, has been named to this elite group of Virginia lawyers.
Induction as a Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation is a special honor conferred by the VLF Board of selected Virginia attorneys, law professors, and retired members of the judiciary who are deemed to be outstanding in their profession and in their community. Fewer than one percent of Virginia attorneys are chosen to become Fellows of the Foundation.
After Updike received his Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1986, he obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond in 1990.
Updike started his legal career as an Associate with William T. Wilson and Associates in 1990. He was made a partner in 1994 and the firm continued operating as Wilson and Updike until 1998 when Nolan Nicely Jr. achieved partnership status. The firm continues to operate under the name of Wilson, Updike and Nicely with a practice emphasis on representing injured individuals throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Updike’s bar and community activities include:
– recognized as a “Super Lawyer” for 2008 and 2009 by Richmond Magazine;
– Member, Disciplinary Board, Virginia State Bar, 2004-present;
– Member, Eighth District Disciplinary Committee, Virginia State Bar, 1998-2004;
– Board of Governors of Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Association, 1998-2009;
– Member, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, 1992-present;
– Representative, Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference 25th Judicial Circuit, 1994-1996;
– President, Alleghany-Bath-Highland Bar Association, 2000-2001;
– Vice President, Alleghany-Bath-Highland Bar Association, 1990-present;
– Member, Alleghany-Bath-Highland Bar Association, 1990-present;
– Vice Chairman, Jackson River Enterprises, 1999-present;
– Board Member, Jackson River Enterprises, 1994-1998;
– Board Member, Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce, 1997-2000;
– Member, Salvation Army Advisory Board, 2003-2009;
– Guest Speaker, Personal Injury Practice, Virginia Trial Lawyers Assocaition;
– published in Virginia Trial Lawyers’ Association Law Journal;
– guest speaker, Ethical Considerations, Prolegia Seminar.
Updike is married to the former Jennifer Lilly of Lewisburg, W.Va. and they have twin boys, Eli Jackson and Trent Justice, born March 2004
