Mims served as deputy legislative director to U.S. Senator Paul S. Trible Jr. from 1983 to 1985, and as chief of staff to Congressman Frank R. Wolf from 1985 to 1987. He practiced law in Leesburg, Virginia from 1987 to 2005. He was a distinguished adjunct professor of law, teaching Virginia Evidence, at George Mason University School of Law from 2002 to 2005. He briefly was a partner in the Hunton & Williams law firm in 2010, prior to joining the Supreme Court.
General Assembly
Mims was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1991 and the Senate of Virginia in 1998, serving a total of 14 years. While in the General Assembly, he also served as chair of the Virginia Housing Commission and the Virginia Code Commission and vice-chair of the Joint Commission on Health Care. His legislative accomplishments included creating the Virginia Higher Education Tuition Trust Fund. He also sponsored numerous successful bills relating to the rights of crime victims, improving traffic safety, and reforming mental health policies.
Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell appointed Mims as chief deputy attorney general in January 2006. He was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Attorney General, with more than 300 attorneys and staff. In that role, he also coordinated Virginia’s legal response to the Virginia Tech shooting, including the mediated settlement of all but two liability claims, and the re-regulation of Virginia’s electric utilities. When McDonnell resigned as attorney general to run for governor, the General Assembly unanimously elected Mims to complete McDonnell’s term. Mims did not seek election to a full term and was succeeded by Kenneth Cuccinelli in January 2010.
Mims has served in numerous capacities relating to improving mental health and foster care policies. These include service on the boards of Voices for Virginia’s Children, the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, and the Virginia Health Care Foundation, and on the Commission on Mental Health Law Reform. He has served on the Board of Governors of the Virginia Bar Association. He is an elder at his church. He frequently authors “Faith & Values” guest columns for the ‘’Richmond Times-Dispatch’’, and speaks often throughout Virginia on the topics of justice and servant leadership. Mims has received an honorary degree from Bridgewater College, the William B. Spong Award from William & Mary School of Law, and the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award from the National Association of Eagle Scouts. He has delivered the Madison Vision Series lecture at James Madison University and the Convocation address at the College of William & Mary. Mims is married to Jane Mims. They have three adult daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren. An avid marathoner and occasional ultra-marathoner, he ran in the 2013 Boston Marathon and crossed the finish line shortly before the two bombs exploded.
