Virgin Islands Bar Association

The ABA House of Delegates passed Resolution 402 which was submitted by the Virgin Islands Bar Association and heard by the House during the 2023 ABA Midyear Meeting in New Orleans. In its Report, the ABA noted that Goal III is to eliminate bias and enhance diversity in the profession. This is a great accomplishment for all concerned.

Shari D’Andrade,a Virgin Islands delegate, spoke in favor of the resolution. “To all, especially those who look like me, these are a reminder of injustice and hatred,” said D’Andrade, who is Black. ABA Article

This accomplishment could not be possible without the diligence and hard work of the Virgin Islands Bar Association's Designated Young Lawyer to the ABA House of Delegates, Anthony Ciolli, Esq., and the effective advocacy from our newly elected ABA Delegate, Shari D'Andrade, Esq. Congratulations to them both on this excellent outcome!

VIBA Immediate Past President Attorney Nesha Christian-Hendrickson

VIBA's Immediate Past President, Nesha Christian-Hendrickson, Esq., who serves as Assistant Commissioner and Legal Counsel for the Virgin Islands Department of Labor, was elected to represent NASWA Region II on their Board. NASWA is a national organization representing all U.S. State workforce agencies. Region II includes Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We congratulate her on this excellent distinction! (And we are happy to see her wearing her VIBA PIN!).

Gustavo Gelpi 
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico

Congratulations to Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Bar Association member, Gustavo Gelpi on his nomination to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. O April 12, 2021, President Biden nominated Gelpi to be a United States Circuit judge for the First Circuit. As recently as December 2019, Chief Judge Gelpi served as a speaker at the Virgin Islands Bar Association's Annual Meeting on the Insular Cases and how these cases affect the people of the Virgin Islands. White House Press Release. Judge Gelpi's profile -United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.