The Richmond Bar Association is always striving to increase the diversity of its membership, says Terrence L. Graves.

The 54-year-old attorney with Sands Anderson PC can make sure that happens now that he’s in charge.

On June 1, Mr. Graves took office as president of the RBA. He will lead the 1,500-plus member association for the next year as it expands on its long-standing mission of service to the bar, the bench and the public.

He is the second African-American president of the organization that was founded in 1885.

“My first priority as president is to make sure that every member feels that they have a place at the table and that their needs as members, however diverse they might be, are being met by the association to the extent possible,” Mr. Graves says.

“We also want to make it clear that if you practice law in or around the city of Richmond, then the RBA is an organization of which you should be an active and contributing member.”

Mr. Graves acknowledges what he calls the unfounded perception that the RBA is still the same stodgy organization it was when it was comprised solely of white men.

“There was a time when the Richmond Bar Association did not welcome people who look like me,” he says. But that’s not the case anymore.

“I think the RBA, and a lot of other entities both public and private in Richmond, still suffer from the perceptions of what was allowed to go on from the 19th century through the 1960s and ’70s,” he says.

He said making sure the RBA’s door is open is the most effective way to move forward. That includes serving the community in areas that are needed, providing manpower for pro bono projects and working with other area bar organizations to interview an array of candidates for judgeships.

“It is of utmost importance to have judges that reflect the demographics of the community that the court serves,” he says. “In many instances, the best qualified individuals to serve are people from diverse backgrounds.”

Mr. Graves’ interest in law dates to his childhood in Suffolk. He and his brothers were avid readers. His parents, Rammie and Elna Graves, emphasized education and the importance of family.

“You had to get your books and you were expected to pitch in where you could and when you could,” he recounts.

He graduated in the Top 10 in his high school class, and a speech he wrote for an advanced literature class was deemed the best. He delivered it at graduation in 1982.

Once at Howard University, he was exposed in his political science class to many of the legal struggles throughout history and to the brilliant legal strategists of the Civil Rights Movement who had connections to Howard — law dean Charles Hamilton Houston and Howard law school graduates Thurgood Marshall and Oliver W. Hill Sr.

The late Mr. Hill of Richmond and the late Justice Marshall, who served on the U.S. Supreme Court, are among Mr. Graves’ legal heroes.

“They are both shining examples of what it is to be the best at what you do while maintaining the highest level of ethics and personal conduct,” he says.

Meet the Richmond Bar Association’s 134th president and this week’s Personality, Terrence L. Graves:

Occupation: Attorney with Sands Anderson PC. I represent individuals and corporations in civil matters primarily involving catastrophic injuries and property damage claims all over the Commonwealth of Virginia and in several other mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia. I’m also the co-chair of the litigation group at the firm.

No. 1 volunteer position: President of the Richmond Bar Association.

Date and place of birth: Aug. 1 in Suffolk.

Current residence: Chesterfield County.

Alma maters: Bachelor’s degree, Howard University, 1986; and J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1991.

Family: Wife, Jacqueline Mason-Graves, my junior high school sweetheart, and son, Terrence L. Graves Jr.

When elected RBA president and length of term: I took office on June 1, and my time in office runs until May 31, 2019.

How I felt when I was elected: I was humbled and proud because I’m following in the footsteps of many great bar leaders who have gone before me.

RBA mission: To cultivate and advance the cause of jurisprudence; to facilitate and improve the administration of justice; to promote the delivery of legal services to the entire community; to promote an increased understanding by the public of the legal system and respect for the law; to inculcate and enhance the highest standards of ethical conduct, integrity, dignity and honor; to continue the legal education of its members; and to encourage courtesy among all members of the legal profession, including bench and bar.

Major RBA programs: The RBA hosts six major luncheon meetings, two major social events, and offered 38 hours of continuing education programming in 2017, has seven practice sections and many other events aimed at enhancing the administration of justice and promoting collegiality.

RBA’s relationship with other associations: The RBA partners with seven other local bar associations (Chesterfield County Bar Association, Hanover County Bar Association, Henrico County Bar Association, Hill-Tucker Bar Association, Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association, Metropolitan Richmond Women’s Bar Association and the Greater Richmond Criminal Bar Association) on the area’s annual Bench-Bar Conference. In addition, we invite the same local bar associations to participate in joint judicial interviews of candidates seeking judgeships.

Greatest challenge at work: Making sure that everything gets done and done at a high level. There are only 24 hours in any given day and there are always things that need to be done. Time management is key.

Greatest satisfaction: I am most satisfied when I’ve achieved a good result for my client, whether at trial, as the result of a well-argued motion or as the result of negotiating the best possible settlement under the circumstances of a given case.

When I knew law was for me: I’ve wanted to be a lawyer since I was in elementary school and we were studying different occupations. I was even more motivated to become a lawyer when one of my teachers told me that I was too shy and quiet to be a lawyer.

How public views lawyers: As a necessary evil. We often are described as underhanded, dishonest, cheating and not to be trusted, until someone needs the help of an attorney to solve a problem for them.

How lawyers should be viewed: As highly educated problem solvers that work for the benefit of their clients and who contribute greatly to our society and communities.

What it takes to be a good attorney: You have to be willing to listen to the problems that your clients bring to you and present them with all available options to address the problem. You have to be willing to follow through under all circumstances and you have to have the client’s best interests at heart. You also have to be willing to learn new things and new approaches to old problems.

Concern about racial disparities in treatment in court: This is an age old problem that is best exemplified by how defendants of different races are treated differently in criminal matters. There is an obvious concern about this, as everyone deserves to be treated equally under the law based upon their actions and not because of their race, gender or beliefs.

Disparity in access to attorneys: I have a natural concern about the ability of people who are barely able to put a roof over their heads and food on their table to afford to hire an attorney if something should go wrong in their lives or if they need help with something. Everyone should be able to get help with important legal issues.

How RBA is addressing disparities: In 2014, a Diversity Committee that I chaired studied whether minority lawyers had full and effective access to membership in the RBA, whether minorities had effective opportunity to leadership and development programs in the association and what additional steps could be taken to encourage additional participation (ensuring more diversity in our luncheon speakers and topics and to actively cultivate minority and gender parity on our committees). This doesn’t address the disparities of race with regard to access to lawyers and judicial appointments, but the RBA is mindful of the issues across the board. Our Pro Bono Committee and our members support the efforts and programs of organizations — the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, the Legal Aid Justice Center and the Virginia Poverty Law Center, to name a few — whose objective is to assist the economically disadvantaged and underserved in the metro area.

Advice to law students: Be a sponge. Soak up everything that you can while you are in law school. Also be open to changing your preferred direction once you get in law school. Many times your path will pull you in a direction that you haven’t even thought about.

Outlook at start of day: Let’s get up and get something accomplished.

A quote that I am inspired by: “Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.” ― Roy T. Bennett

Best late-night snack: Salted cashews.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Play video games.

Person who influenced me the most: My parents influenced me the most growing up. They taught me the value of hard work and keeping your word. My wife influences me the most currently. She has taught me the value of faith, unconditional love and she keeps it real with me at all times.

Book that influenced me the most: “Native Son” by Richard Wright.

Book I’m reading now: “Typhoon Fury” by Clive Cussler and Boyd Morrison.

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is: In order to get anywhere in life, you’ve got to work hard, treat people the way you want to be treated and love and take care of your family.

Next goal: Continue to enjoy each and every day of my life.