2026 Annual Convention Special Honorees
Distinguished Service Award
Mark D. Dix
VTLA is proud to honor someone who has truly Answered the Call with this year’s Distinguished Service Award. Mark Dix joined VTLA in 2008 and it wasn’t long before he earned rockstar status. Almost a decade ago, Mark answered the call to be VTLA’s Legislative Counsel and throughout that time, VTLA has achieved major legislative successes. He has continued to practice law while helping improve the practice of law for everyone. Mark has simply made VTLA, the practice of law, and all of us better.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Malcolm P. “Mic” McConnell, III
Mic McConnell touched nearly every aspect of VTLA before his passing just last year, truly a lifetime of achievement. He had a stellar career at Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen as a medical malpractice lawyer and served on numerous VTLA committees and on our Board of Governors for decades. His passion was unreproachable – from legislative work to the consummate teacher. Mic was certified in personal training, and competed in swimming, triathlon, and bodybuilding events. He enjoyed science fiction, philosophy, an incredible comic book and his family. Mic’s death is a great loss for his family, his firm, his friends, the Virginia bar and the Commonwealth. We are pleased to honor Mic – Superman for us all.
VTLA/VADA Civility & Professionalism Award
Brian R. Sanderson
Brian R. Sanderson is a principal with Blankingship & Keith in Fairfax. His practice is concentrated primarily in the representation of individual and institutional health care providers in the District of Columbia and Virginia. He is a member of the Fairfax Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, and of course the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys.
VTLA Excellence in Journalism Award
Kunle Falayi
VTLA is proud to honor Kunle Falayi with the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO with our Excellence in Journalism Award. By scouring data in network audit logs from Automatic License Plate Readers in two small Virginia communities, Kunle followed a trail of thousands of searches, little known arrangements with federal agencies for data, and ultimately discovered a necessary discussion of privacy rights. In an age of emerging technology and attacks on those who seek the truth, the role of journalists like Kunle hold a vital place in our democracy. Click each title to read Kunle's excellent work:
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