Get Moving for Justice! Join Team VTLA and the Fairfax Law Foundation’s 5K Heroes vs. Villains Race next month.

Grab your cape, activate your superpower and run, walk, or soar to the finish line at the Annual Heroes vs. Villains 5K. The 2025 race will be held on Sunday, April 6th, and will feature a Kids' Fun Run starting at 8:30 AM, DJ 5800, a costume contest, complimentary photo booth, face painting, balloon twister, Anita's breakfast burritos, Krispy Kreme donuts, and more! The main event 5K race will start promptly at 9:00 AM. Sign up here.

VTLA Vice President Amy Griggs is heading up Team VTLA. Read on for her message to all of you.

With VTLA’s annual convention this week and my term as president ending, I have been reflecting on the whirlwind that was this past year. Throughout all the traveling, meetings, and conversations with members, one thing has struck me: everyone involved with VTLA—staff and members—works hard to fulfill our mission of “promoting improvements to the administration of justice intended to enrich the quality of life for all Virginians and supporting the rule of law in the Commonwealth.”

This year is just getting started! Following convention, plan your year by investing in your practice with VTLA programs. Mark your calendar and register today at vtla.com.

• Expert Witnesses - May 30 - Charlottesville or virtual
• Advanced Auto Retreat - July 25-26 - Omni Charlottesville
• Medical Malpractice Retreat - September 12-13 - Fredericksburg
• Family Law Seminar / Equitable Distribution - September 25 - Reston or virtual
• Long-Term Care Litigation Retreat - October 3-4 - Fredericksburg
• Seeking Justice for Victims of Sexual Assault - October 7 - Richmond or virtual
• Insurance Update: Coverage For The Modern Era - October 16 - Richmond or virtual
• Plus, a Retreat and Seminar for Paralegals, lots of webinars, and more.

Members of the our Women’s Caucus met at the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Women’s Caucus in Miami this week. VTLA Past President Bridget Long is chairing the AAJ Women’s Caucus this year and they welcomed VTLA president-elect Derrick Walker to the party! Pictured above with Bridget and Derrick are VTLA Executive Council members Melissa Ray, Erin Jewell and Amy Griggs.

We try to always say thank you, but sometimes our voices don’t reach as far as they should - so we’re on the rooftop now - THANK YOU to this remarkable group of law firms and VTLA friends who are supporting our Convention at a premier level:

• Bowen Ten Long & Bal
• ChartSquad
• Kalfus & Nachman
• MichieHamlett
• Preferred Capital Funding

Thanks also to our ribbon sponsors at every level and the continued support of our valued Business Partners.

To me, blooming redbuds mark the end of winter and the arrival of Spring, and VTLA’s Annual Convention always seems to mark the weekend when the redbuds begin to blossom. Every year I leave convention feeling renewed and with a new idea or three that changes my practice.

If you’re looking to recharge your batteries while connecting with some of the sharpest legal minds in a beautiful mountain setting, our Annual Convention is just what you need. Convention Chair Ashley Davis has packed the program with fascinating sessions on everything from using AI and cutting-edge technologies to easy ways to incorporate pro bono into your practice. You'll hear from an impressive lineup of speakers, benefit from our regular case law and legislative updates, and earn up to your whole year’s worth of CLE credits all while enjoying the lovely Omni Homestead resort. When you're not in sessions, you'll be able to chat with judges over coffee, enjoy an afternoon at the spa, and foster valuable connections with friends old and new.

I don’t know about you, but the idea of spending a couple of days at the Omni after a long, cold winter puts a smile on my face. Join me in Hot Springs and build relationships that could shape your practice for years to come. Hope to see you there! ---Joanna Suyes, VTLA President

• Cameron Andrews
• Jessica Carballo*
• Michelle Chang
• Rose Fauntleroy*
• Jernell Garner*
• Megan Little Hudson
• Alisha Jenkins
• Jacob Barry Lichtenstein
• Cameron McBride
• Stephen Ollar
• Edwin Palacio
• Harry Walter Rothstein
• Daniel Santos
• Laura Lee Thompson
• Justin Alan Turner
• Arren Taylor Waldrep
• D.J. Young

* Paralegal member

The 2025 General Assembly is on course to adjourn at the end of this week. VTLA continues to actively push bills forward, fight against others, and monitor hundreds more. Check your email for an update we sent earlier and watch for another soon.

Being a short session, the session is in high speed! However, YOU have easy access to know what's going on through our website. Our legislative team has identified issues in your area of practice and you can take a quick look - just click here! We look forward to talking with about many of these issues at the Convention.

Two VTLA firms have taken advantage of hiring VTLF scholarship winners as interns this summer. Because our applicant pool was so strong this year, we offered three instead of two! We have another candidate to place and her preference is in Northern Virginia - Vanessa Ogbeide. Vanessa is currently completing her second year at Washington & Lee School of Law.  Her previous work experience includes an internship with Judge C. Kailani, US District Court, Western District Court of Virginia as well as a Legal Assistant for Attorney Phillips Murrah and with the Bask Law Firm.  While at Washington and Lee, she has been a staff writer for the Law Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice.  For more details, please contact Lori O’Toole, lotoole@vtla.com, (804) 343-1143 ext. 312, as soon as possible.

Last month, members braved the bitter cold and joined VTLA leadership and staff for our annual lobby day. A special thank you to Delegate Marcus Simon who started the day. As you can see from the pictures, the folks who attended in person got a first-hand look at the inner workings of the General Assembly and met with various legislators. More photos here.