THE LGA EDWARD J. FINNEGAN AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE recognizes an individual in the
Commonwealth of Virginia who has made significant contributions to local government law or the Local Government
Attorneys of Virginia, Inc. The 2019 recipient, KATHLEEN A. DOOLEY, epitomizes excellence in her service to both.
KATHLEEN HAS DEVOTED OVER THIRTY YEARS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW, serving as
Assistant City Attorney for Chesapeake, Town Attorney for Blacksburg, and City Attorney for Fredericksburg, where she
continues to make significant and enduring contributions to the public good. Known as the “soul of reason,” earning
enormous respect from her colleagues and clients alike, she is the consummate advocate, fearless in presenting the most
controversial of positions in the most agreeable manner.
KATHLEEN HAS DEVOTED COUNTLESS HOURS TO LGA, serving on numerous committees, most recently
as chairman of an ad hoc committee on public demonstrations. While on the board of directors and as president of LGA
from 2001-2002, she reinvigorated the Outreach Committee to the benefit of local government attorneys throughout
the Commonwealth. In addition to her LGA contributions, Kathleen served as a board member and President of the
Virginia Women Attorneys Association, member of the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council, member of
the Virginia State Bar Committee on Legal Ethics, and most recently, member of the Board of Governors of the Virginia
State Bar Local Government Law Section. She has been elected a Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation and a Local
Government Fellow of the International Municipal Lawyers Association.
KATHLEEN’S DEVOTION TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT LAW IS RENOWNED and her willingness to
share her knowledge is evidenced by her participation on numerous panels focused on local government issues, including
those sponsored by LGA, the Virginia State Bar, the Virginia Municipal League, the Institute for Local Officials, and
several other regional and statewide organizations. Moreover, Kathleen takes special interest in mentoring interns and new
attorneys and never hesitates to help her LGA colleagues find answers to thorny legal issues. Her experience, wisdom, and
formidable legal reasoning make her a trustworthy authority on local government law.
IN THE COURSE OF ADVOCATING FOR FREDERICKSBURG, Kathleen has successfully participated in
significant cases that impact local government law, including before the Fourth Circuit on the issue of governmental
prayer and the Virginia Supreme Court on vested rights.
KATHLEEN’S EMBRACES LIFE WITH COURAGE, HUMOR AND ZEST – championing controversial
causes, riding her motorcycle, playing her guitar, traveling the world, and always learning. She happily shares her life with
her spouse, Mary Jo, and enjoys a host of activities with her family and friends.
FINALLY, KATHLEEN IS THE EXEMPLAR OF INTEGRITY and approaches life’s challenges with honesty,
zeal, and a determination to do the right thing. Notwithstanding her unwavering focus on the best interests of her client,
Kathleen’s kindness and respect for others permeates her every endeavor. She inspires each of us by example to always do
our best.
THEREFORE, as a public commendation of her professional achievements in local government law, the legal
profession, and her community, the members and board of directors of the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc.,
on the 25th day of October, 2019, are pleased to honor and bestow the 2019 EDWARD J. FINNEGAN AWARD FOR
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE upon KATHLEEN A. DOOLEY.
