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2011 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 476
Celebrating the life of Wilbur Coleman Allen.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 17, 2011
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 22, 2011
 

WHEREAS, Wilbur Coleman Allen, a distinguished Richmond attorney who founded one of the Commonwealth’s oldest and largest law firms, Allen, Allen, Allen, & Allen, died on January 18, 2011; and

WHEREAS, a native of Lunenburg County, Wilbur Allen earned a bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Virginia, interrupting his studies to serve his country during World War II as the commander of a landing tank craft that supported the fighting at Midway, Saipan, Tinian and Guam; and

WHEREAS, a brilliant attorney with a deep and abiding love of the law, Wilbur Allen, with the assistance of his father and brothers, developed the law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen, & Allen into one of the largest personal injury firms in the nation, serving as president for 33 years; and

WHEREAS, a fierce advocate for those he represented, Wilbur Allen built a law firm that provided exemplary service to its clients and a collegial environment for its staff; and

WHEREAS, committed to his profession, Wilbur Allen was a 50-year member of the Richmond Bar Association and chair of the Virginia Bar Association’s Special Committee on Professionalism from 1991 to 1994, when he helped create one of the earliest “Creeds of Professionalism” for lawyers; and

WHEREAS, an active supporter of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Wilbur Allen was a driving force behind the creation of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Political Action Committee and served as its first chair; and

WHEREAS, Wilbur Allen was recognized by his peers with inclusion in the book, Best Lawyers in America, from its first edition in 1983 until his retirement and was named a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers after being nominated by United States Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Wilbur Allen strongly supported the community as a charter member of the West Richmond Rotary Club, served as member of the board of visitors at Virginia Commonwealth University, and was an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, respected for his great personal integrity and generous spirit, Wilbur Allen leaves behind a distinguished legacy of service to his profession, family, and community; and

WHEREAS, Wilbur Allen will be greatly missed by his wife of 60 years, Frances; children, Gayle, Coleman, Clayton, Edward, and Courtney, and their families; and his numerous other family members, friends, and admirers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of an admired attorney and esteemed citizen of the Commonwealth, Wilbur Coleman Allen; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Wilbur Coleman Allen as an expression of the General Assembly’s abiding respect for his memory.