Celebrating the life of Douglas Raymond Rendleman.

2026, 1st Special Session Introduced by Creigh Deeds

The resolution publicly honors Douglas Rendleman for his lifetime contributions to legal scholarship and education, expressing the Senate’s respect and condolences.

Bill text as passed Senate (SR2021ER)

Summary of SR 2021 (Session 2026S1) – Celebrating the life of Douglas Raymond Rendleman

What the bill is

A Senate Resolution of the Virginia General Assembly honoring and memorializing Douglas Raymond Rendleman, a noted legal scholar and law professor, who died on March 8, 2026.

Sponsored by Senator Creigh Deeds (with a co-sponsor noted).

Main purpose and intent

Public expression of the Senate’s sorrow and respect for Rendleman’s life, career, and contributions to academia, the legal profession, and the Lexington community.

Recognizes Rendleman’s achievements, leadership, scholarship, and service, and seeks to convey the Senate’s condolences to his family.

Key provisions and changes

Formal statements of recognition:

The Senate “notes with great sadness” the passing of Douglas Rendleman.
Acknowledges his legacy of service, mentorship, and scholarship.

Formal actions:

The Clerk of the Senate is directed to prepare and present a copy of the resolution to Rendleman’s family as an official expression of the Senate’s respect.

How Rendleman is described (highlights from the bill)

Education and early career:

Bachelor’s in political science (1963), Master’s in American history (1965), J.D. (1968) from the University of Iowa.
Clerked for Justice Francis H. Becker at the Iowa Supreme Court; pursued a Master of Laws at the University of Michigan.

Academic career:

Taught for about 50 years at leading law schools (University of Alabama, College of William & Mary, Washington and Lee University) and served as visiting professor at several institutions (UNC, UVA, Washington University).
Held the title Robert E.R. Huntley Professor of Law Emeritus at Washington and Lee University School of Law.
Renowned expert in remedies and civil procedure; authored 47 articles and 11 books, contributed amicus briefs and numerous symposiums.

Professional and scholarly leadership:

Active roles with the American Association of University Professors (AUPR/Government Relations Committee, Virginia Conference leadership) and the Association of American Law Schools.
Longtime elected member of the American Law Institute (30 years) contributing to Restatement of the Law series.
Received a Lifetime Scholarly Achievement award from the Remedies Section of the AALS in 2021.

Personal notes:

Enjoyed bicycling, gardening, billiards; valued time with family.
Survived by his wife of 65 years, Carolyn, and children Susan, John, Charles, and Benjamin, plus extended family and friends.

Potential impact and audience

Primarily symbolic and ceremonial impact; serves to publicly recognize Rendleman’s contributions to legal education, scholarship, and the Virginia academic community.

May inform constituents about the Senate’s respect for a prominent Virginia-based academic and his influence on remedies and civil procedure scholarship.

Procedural/timeline aspects

Presented and laid on the Clerk’s Desk on May 6, 2026.

This is a commemorative resolution, not a bill proposing statutory changes or funding; it does not create enforceable policy or fiscal obligations.

No effective date beyond the date of adoption; the resolution takes effect upon passage by the Senate.