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James Frederick "Jim" Almand
Sessions Served: 1978 - July 31, 2003
- Birth Date: October 18, 1948 Birth Place:Arlington, VA
- Death Date: May 14, 2026
- Gender: Male Race: Caucasian
- Spouse: Cynthia Flood
- Children: Andrew Iverson and Clare Hamilton
- Religion: Christian
- Education: Arlington public schools The College of William and Mary in Virginia (B.A.) Marshall-Wythe School of Law; The College of William and Mary in Virginia (J.D.)
- Military Service:
- Occupation/Profession: Attorney
- Memberships/Affiliations: First Christian Church, Falls Church (elder) Arlington Committee of 100 Arlington Optimist Arlington Jaycees (former legal counsel) Arlington Historical Society Arlington County Bar Association Boy Scouts of America, District Committee (former chairman) Arlington Young Democrats Young Democrats of Virginia (president, 1975-76) Democratic State Steering and Central Committees (1975-76) 10th District Democratic Committee Phi Alpha Delta, legal fraternity Virginia Energy Study Commission (1978-present) Virginia Coal and Energy Commission (1979-present) Energy Preparedness Subcommittee (chairman) Southern Legislative Conference, Energy Committee (chairman, 1991-93) Omicron Delta Kappa, honorary leadership fraternity (1970) American Heart Association, Northern Virginia Chapter (board of directors, 1986-87) American Red Cross, Arlington Chapter (board of directors, 1983-89) Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (1986-94) Arlington Commission on Aging (1987-93) Virginia Crime Commission (1991-present) Committee on District Courts (1991-present) Judicial Council (1991-present) Virginia Housing Study Commission (1990-present) Commission on Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (1993-present) Arlington Hospital (advisory board, 1989-present) Former Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney (1974-77) Deputy Sheriff (summers of 1970-72)
- Additional Info: Circuit Court Judge for the 17th Court in Virginia, retired in December 2011
- Awards: Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities (1971) James Frederick Carr Memorial Cup, outstanding senior at The College of William and Mary in Virginia (1971) Arlington Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of the Year (1977) Outstanding Young Men of America (1980) Virginia Housing Coalition, legislative award (1991) National Commission Against Drunk Driving, distinguished service (1992) Virginia Safe Kids Coalition, Legislator of the Year (1993) National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, Dr. Jacobus tenBroek Award (1993) American Lung Association of Northern Virginia, Legislator of the Year (1993) Virginians Against Handgun Violence, Northern Virginia Chapter, Advocate of the Year (1994) Virginia Victims and Witnesses Network: Warren Stambaugh Award (1993, 1995), legislative award (1994) Northern Virginia Technology Council, Tech Ten Award (1996) Arlington's Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Community Service Award (1998) Virginia Weatherization Program Advocacy Award (1998) The James F. Almand Award for Advancement in Community Correction established by the Virginia Community Criminal Justice Association (1998) Vanguard Foundation, Community Awards (1998) Virginia Sheriff's Association, Legislator of the Year (1999) Local Elected Constitutional Officers, Legislator of the Year (1999) Honored by the Virginia Treasurers' Association (1999) Vanguard Foundation, Community Service Award (1999) Arlington County Bar Foundation, William L. Winston Award for long-standing Public Service to the Community (2000) Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Legislator Advocate Award (2000) The Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Year 2000 Legislative Hero Award (2001) Virginia College of Criminal Defense Attorneys, Defender of Justice Award (2001)
- Bio: James Frederick "Jim" Almand was a Virginia attorney, legislator, judge, and lifelong public servant whose career spanned more than three decades in public office and the judiciary. Known for his integrity, humility, and bipartisan leadership, he dedicated his life to improving the lives of Virginians through law, public policy, and community service.
Born on October 18, 1948, in Arlington, Virginia, Almand was raised in a family deeply connected to civic engagement and public service. He attended Arlington Public Schools before earning his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary in 1971, where he was recognized as the institution's Outstanding Senior. He later graduated from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1974.
Almand began his legal career as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Virginia. In 1977, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, where he represented Arlington and parts of Fairfax County for 25 years, serving from 1978 until 2003. During his tenure, he became widely respected for his work on criminal justice reform, transportation, housing, aging services, and public safety legislation.
Among his legislative accomplishments were efforts to reduce drunk driving, strengthen child safety laws, prohibit the execution of intellectually disabled individuals, and combat illegal gun trafficking through Virginia's "One Gun A Month" law. He also served for many years on the Courts of Justice Committee, including chairman and co-chairman. His leadership earned him numerous awards from civic and legal organizations across Virginia.
Beyond public office, Almand remained deeply involved in his community. A lifelong Arlington resident, he supported organizations including the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the Arlington Historical Society, and numerous civic groups. He was also a devoted member of the First Christian Church, where he served as a deacon, trustee, and elder throughout his life.
| Session | District | District Number | Party | Leadership | Committees |
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| 1978 | County of Arlington | 22 | Democrat | Courts of Justice Militia and Police |
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| 1979 | County of Arlington | 22 | Democrat | Courts of Justice Militia and Police |
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| 1980 | County of Arlington | 22 | Democrat | Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1981 | County of Arlington | 22 | Democrat | Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1982 | County of Arlington | 22 | Democrat | Claims Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1983 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Claims Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1984 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Claims Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1985 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Claims Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1986 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Claims Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1987 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Claims Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1988 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Claims Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1989 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Claims Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1990 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Claims Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1991 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Claims Courts of Justice General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1992 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice (Chair) Claims General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1993 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice (Chair) Claims General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1994 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice (Chair) Finance General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1995 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice (Chair) Finance General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1996 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice (Chair) Finance General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1997 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice (Chair) Finance General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1998 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice (Co Chair) Finance General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 1999 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice (Co Chair) Finance General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 2000 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice (Co Chair) Finance General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 2001 | Counties of Arlington (part) and Fairfax (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice (Co Chair) Finance General Laws Militia and Police |
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| 2002 | County of Arlington (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice Finance General Laws |
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| 2003 | County of Arlington (part) | 47 | Democrat | Courts of Justice Finance General Laws |
*The information within this interactive and searchable application has been researched extensively by the House Clerk’s Office. As with any historical records of this age and breadth, there may be discrepancies and/or inconsistencies within records obtained from a variety of credible sources. Any feedback is encouraged at history@house.virginia.gov.