<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-04-20</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000835012</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CWBS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001412599</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Uppalapati Raju V</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O COMMONWEALTH BANKSHARES, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 1177</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NORFOLK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23501-1177</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Former Director</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>Resigned from the Board of Directors effective 04/20/2010.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Raju V. Uppalapati</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-04-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
