The 2025 General Assembly considered thousands of bills, many of which could directly affect aspects of your practice. We have combed through those bills and identified ones of interest and posted a document with those in each of the communities online. Bills that passed (identified with green shading) went into effect July 1.

If you are a member of a VTLA section, you can easily locate this practice-specific Bills of Interest document in your online community on our website. For general civil litigation for plaintiffs, look in the plaintiff only area. Log in to vtla.com and find them under “My VTLA.” You can also find a complete list here.

VTLA’s Family Law Section submitted thorough and thoughtful comments to the Virginia State Bar relating to a proposal to amend Rule 1:5(d) regarding contingency fees in domestic relations cases.

Our Section’s comment concluded that while the proposal might be a laudable attempt to increase access to justice, this change would introduce more problems than solutions. “It creates ambiguity, incentivizes adversarial behavior, undermines settlement, and lacks the statutory framework necessary for fair implementation,” they wrote. Thank you to the Family Law Section leadership who met and thoroughly discussed the issues.

The VSB Ethics Committee was scheduled to meet this month for additional consideration in light of the public comments received.

To read VTLA’s full response, click here.

We have a few of the talks available on demand for CLE credit if you missed them. (And mark your 2026 calendar for the Convention at The Greenbrier, March 18-21 so you don't miss a thing!)

• Case Law Update (1 hour CLE)

• Courtroom Secrecy (0.5 hour cle)

• Practical AI Solutions (1 hr CLE)

• We Can Be Great Lawyers (0.5 wellness hour CLE)

• DMAS Liens Update (0.5 hour CLE - plaintiff only)

• New and Emerging Trends in GDC Practice (0.5 hour CLE - plaintiff only)

Click on any of these to register or click here for all our on demand offerings!

Early this month, Governor Youngkin signed two vicarious liability bills brought by VTLA and carried through the General Assembly by legislative warriors from both parties. This is a significant achievement that restores fundamental rights to vulnerable victims in our commonwealth. As an organization, we are deeply indebted to Sen. Russet Perry, Sen. Mark Obenshain, and Del. Karrie Delaney who boldly carried and advocated for the bills, and to our VTLA legislative team who gave their all to the effort.

Thursday, June 12 at 2:00 pm

Joanna Wynes Settlements, an Affiliate of Sage Settlement Consulting, is a premier settlement consulting firm dedicated to bridging the gap between injured claimants, their families, and plaintiff attorneys. They specialize in a comprehensive range of settlement planning services, including structured settlements, trust services, government benefit preservation, and attorney fee deferral, all designed to create financial security and stability.

Joanna Wynes Settlements is also a new VTLA Platinum Business Partner!

Register here.

• Liliana Chang*
• Noah Boyd Collier
• Jessica Dixon
• Faith Ennis
• Ashley M. Frutchey*
• Alison Frye*
• Jestelle Hanrahan
• Tamera Johnson*
• Christian Massey*
• Garner Lewis Nottingham
• Betty Slayton*

* Paralegal member

VTLA members Mike Lantz and Rand Robins raised more money per capita than any other law firm in Central Virginia to benefit FeedMore, Central Virginia's largest food bank during this year's Legal Food Frenzy.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares thanked Lantz & Robins for the roughly 17,000 meals that will be made and served because of their efforts. Great job Mike and Rand!

June 4 - 4pm
Second in our series of webinars for New Trial Lawyers

Review the rules and practice tips in both Eastern and Western District Courts, followed by an overview of jury selection with John Fishwick, Fishwick and Associates, Damon Miller, Ben Glass Law, and Kevin Mottley, The Mottley Law Firm. New Trial Lawyers Chair-Elect Dan Savage of Marks & Harrison will moderate and questions are encouraged. 1 Hour CLE

You can register to attend the remaining two webinars plus the in-person seminar (or simply attend the final seminar in the fall). Click here!

A special congratulations to these eight graduating law students and we hope to see them join the VTLA family soon! In a long-standing tradition, Virginia Trial Lawyers Foundation presented our Trial Advocacy Award to a graduating student at each Virginia law school. The recipient, who is chosen by the school’s Dean and faculty, best exemplifies the attributes of an effective trial advocate, is dedicated to preserving the rights of individuals, and exhibits excellence in trial skills. 
The 2025 class includes:

• University of Richmond — Magdalyn Grace Staples
• William & Mary — Sydney Brooks
• University of Virginia — Brianna Wainczak
• Regent University — Esther Tyree Xiu DeBord
• Liberty University — Addison Emenecker
• George Mason University— Edward Linczer
• Appalachian School of Law — Joshua Marant
• Washington and Lee University — Steven May

Shout-out to Candice Johnson and Dana Sullivan for creating a terrific retreat for our workers' comp paralegals!

This advanced program took place at Gari Melchers Studio in Fredericksburg and was packed with practical information. Over 20 paralegals attended and made valuable connections with colleagues from around the state.