S. Bernard Goodwyn at a glance
- Current role
- Former Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Virginia · State
- Judicial service
- Former
S. Bernard Goodwyn
Former Justice · Supreme Court of Virginia
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Supreme Court of Virginia, 2007-present
- Goodwyn announced his retirement on January 1, 2026, succeeding Cleo Powell as Chief Justice
- 2007–2026: Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court, appointed by Governor Tim Kaine on October 10, 2007
- Samuel Bernard Goodwyn is a retired American judge and lawyer who held the role of a Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court from 2007 to 2026 and as Chief Justice from 2022 to 2026
- 1997–2007: Judge, First Judicial Circuit Court, Chesapeake, VA
- 1995–1997: Judge, General District Court, Chesapeake, VA — the first Black judge on that court
- 1994–1995: Research Associate Professor of Law, UVA School of Law
- 1988–1995: Partner at Willcox & Savage, Norfolk, VA, specializing in commercial, constitutional, and insurance defense litigation
- 1986–1988: Attorney at McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, Charlottesville, VA
Education
- University of Virginia School of Law in — J.D. (1986)
- A.B. in Economics from Harvard University in 1983
- University of Virginia-Main Campus — J.D.
Additional information
- He was recognized in 2025 with the Harry L. Carrico Outstanding Career Service Award and the Gerald L. Baliles Distinguished Service Award from the Virginia Bar Association.
- Practitioner, 2006-2006
- prof, 2006-2006
- He graduated magna cum laude from Southampton High School in 1979 as valedictorian, serving as student body president, track captain, and football quarterback for two AA state championships.
- Born February 23, 1961, Southampton County, Virginia.
- Date of birth: 1961-01-01
- Goodwyn held the role of Chair of the Judicial Council of Virginia, President of the Judicial Conference of Virginia, and co-chair of the Virginia Access to Justice Commission.
- Goodwyn grew up in Boykins, Virginia, the son of Dolly and Sam Goodwyn, neither of whom had completed high school.
- In interviews, he credited his parents’ emphasis on education and service as key influences, and expressed a lifelong commitment to public service in Virginia.
- Birth place: Southampton County
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Cell Phones And Electronic Devices
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Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia official judicial roster ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy ↗