Roanoke, Va.—On May 1, 2017, Woods Rogers attorney Claude D. Carter, received the Roanoke Bar Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, named for Frank W. “Bo” Rogers, Jr. The award is presented to an outstanding lawyer who embodies the highest tradition of personal and professional excellence in Southwest Virginia and in doing so, enhances the image and esteem of attorneys in the region. Claude is the second Woods Rogers attorney to receive this award in its 11 year history, the first being William B. Poff.
“Claude inspires everyone who meets him,” said Woods Rogers attorney and Roanoke Bar Association Treasurer Lee Osborne. “He cares for those less fortunate and no client or legal matter is too small or difficult to deserve his attention. He continues to represent the best in what a general practitioner can be and should be, which reflects well on the legal profession in the Roanoke Valley and beyond.”
Claude was born in the city of Roanoke, Va., on October 18, 1932. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where he was a business and accounting major and served in the Corps of Cadets. After graduating in 1953, Claude worked for General Electric in New York followed by service in the U.S. Army as an Artillery and Anti-Aircraft Officer in Texas and Massachusetts. He was honorably discharged in 1956.
In 1956, Claude fulfilled his lifelong interest in the law when he entered the Washington & Lee University School of Law. After graduating and passing the Virginia Bar in 1959, he worked in general practice with Carl Langhammer for a year before starting his own law practice. With offices in Roanoke city and in New Castle, his practice included general trial work, business law, real estate and wills. He also served as Bail Commissioner for the city of Roanoke.
In 1959, Claude married Nancy Elizabeth Kraige Carter. They have a daughter, Sarah, and a grandson, Joshua. In 1964, Claude joined Martin, Hopkins & Lemon. He became a partner and the firm changed its name to Martin, Hopkins, Lemon & Carter. He became managing partner and served in that role until 1990. That year, Claude formed the law firm of Carter, Brown & Osborne, which eventually became Carter & Osborne. In 2009, Claude and his law partner, Lee Osborne, joined Woods Rogers PLC.
Throughout his career Claude has contributed many efforts to better this community. He has been Grand Chaplain of Masons in Virginia (1994) and Master of the Melrose Lodge (1996). He was a member of Melrose Lion’s Club and served a term as President. Claude has served on the boards of Virginia Baptist Children’s Home and Oak Hill Academy. He was a member of the Baptist General Board of Virginia in Richmond and part of Mission Support Ministry that established new churches in the Roanoke Valley. In the early 1980s, he won a seat and served one term on the Board of Supervisors in Botetourt County. Claude is currently a member of the American Legion and Roanoke Elks Lodge.
In 2000, at the age of 67, Claude began studying for the Ministry, the fulfillment of another lifelong passion. From 2000 to 2006, Claude took theology classes in Richmond, Lynchburg, and Wake Forest, N.C., starting at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and graduating cum laude from Liberty University, from which he received a Master of Arts in Religion degree and a Master of Divinity degree from Liberty University, in December of 2006. His required studies included two terms of Greek and two terms of Hebrew.
In March of 2007, Claude became an ordained Baptist minister and since has served as a “supply pastor” for several churches, and has performed numerous baptisms, weddings, and funeral services.
