2022 Young Trial Lawyers Boot Camp

1/31/22 update: Boot Camp is officially cancelled. We will be in touch with registrants individually. Stay tuned for details on other future YTL events!

What You Didn’t Learn in Law School
Young Trial Lawyers Boot Camp

Learn all the things you didn't learn in law school from some of Virginia's leading trial lawyers in an intentionally tight group of young lawyers just like you. We'll meet four Thursdays in a row from 4-6pm beginning on February 3. We'll discuss skills to practice wellness and avoid burnout, we'll walk through a GDC trial from start to finish, you'll get hands on tips for you and your practice, and the program concludes with our esteemed judges panel where you'll hear invaluable thoughts and advice from the bench.

The first three sessions will be virtual and then we'll meet in-person (Richmond) for the final session which will conclude with a happy hour reception hosted by the YTL Leadership Committee. You won't want to miss out - sign up today! Space is limited.

$99 for all four sessions for VTLA members

WEEK ONE- Practical Tips to Help You as You're Starting Your Practice

February 3, 4-6pm

Topics Covered: Making a name for yourself, navigating office politics, interacting with colleagues and staff, interacting with opposing counsel, and more!

Speakers:

• Ashley Davis, Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen, Richmond
• Avery Adcock, Senior Justice Law Firm, Washington DC (Moderator & YTL Chair)

WEEK TWO- "GDC - the ABCs and 123s: Essentials for General District Court Trial Practice"

February 10, 4-6pm

Topics Covered: Understanding the nuts and bolts behind trying a successful case in GDC is crucial to trial practice in Virginia, as the GDCs have become a particularly attractive option for personal injury plaintiffs over the last decade.  Learn the ins and outs of GDC trial practice from start to finish – from filing in GDC to the mechanics of trying the case to post-trial strategy.

Speakers:

• Amy Bradley, BrigliaHundley, Tysons Corner
• Michael J. Braggs, Marks & Harrison, Richmond
• Natasha Phidd, Ackerman & Falcon, Vienna (Moderator)
   

WEEK THREE-  A Wellness Session

February 17, 4-6pm

Topics Covered: Avoid burn-out beginning now by learning better self-care. Join us as we talk about techniques to help you over the course of your career. Aubrey Ford, a long-time VTLA member and successful trial lawyer who recently retired and is now a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, will lead our discussion.

Speakers:

• Aubrey Ford, Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci (Retired), Richmond
• Joseph Cantor, Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci PLLC, Richmond (Moderator)

WEEK FOUR- Getting Along with the Bench- Judges Panel

February 24, 4-6pm

Speakers: 

• The Honorable Jayne A. Pemberton, Chesterfield County Circuit Court
• The Honorable Tracy W. J. Thorne-Begland, Richmond General District Court
• More Judges Announced Soon!
   
• Justin Curcio, Curcio Law, Alexandria (Moderator)

Sign up today to better prepare yourself for the year ahead!

*This program is for members of the VTLA Young Trial Lawyers Section which is any member 35 years and under.
 

Zoom link will be sent in advance of each virtual session. There will not be a virtual option for the 4th session since we will be meeting in-person for the judges panel and happy hour reception.

February 3 session - virtual
February 10 session - virtual
February 17 session - virtual
February 24 session - in-person in Richmond (exact location TBD)

WE HOPE YOU WON'T, but if you must cancel, all cancellations or changes must be in writing. Cancellations received on or before January 29 will receive the registration fee paid less a $10 cancellation fee. We regret that no refunds will be given after this date. Also, cancellations are for the full four-week series. There will be no refunds for missing an individual session. Thank you for understanding that your request for an exception to this policy costs VTLA.