June 20 - Richmond or virtual

Get off the starting blocks in an auto cases with this outstanding seminar! Litigating an Auto Case, From Bumper to Bumper, will cover handling auto cases from intake and investigation of motor vehicle collision cases through trial. Beginning at the front bumper with the fundamentals of good case selection, work your way through client handling, the pre-litigation process, submission, negotiation, litigation, and finishing at the back bumper with a look at these cases in general district and circuit courts.

Drivers of all skill levels should attend this one - there's surely something to learn as these cases evolve almost as fast as new car models arrive!

Register 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 2024 class includes:

•  ​Courtney Ebersohl - Washington and Lee University
•  Malcolm Law - University of Virginia
•  Alexandra Jacqueline Kennedy - Appalachian School of Law
•  Gregory Pelletier - George Mason University
•  Alexis Bale - William & Mary
•  Kennedy Eagle - University of Richmond
•  Payton Gonzalez - Liberty University
•  Jeremiah W. Both - Regent University

May 22 - Richmond or virtual

We hope to see you next week for our seminar on all things liens! Once you reach a settlement or obtain a verdict, sometimes it might feel like a second case begins as you seek to resolve lien issues. This seminar will provide you not only with the knowledge to navigate the latest developments in lien resolution but also will provide written materials that update the Liens in Personal Injury Actions book authored by VTLA members years ago.

You’ve heard about many liens such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, but what other liens such as hospitals or physicians or chiropractors? How do secure the maximum recovery for your client?

How do you communicate all the potential obligations to your client?

Learn how to close each case with the knowledge of having met your ethical requirements while properly disbursing funds.

Join us for answers!

Register here. 

Please take a quick moment to thank these members for their generous contributions of valuable time, talents, and abilities in authoring an Amicus Curiae Brief on behalf of the Association over last year:

• John Davidson from Davidson & Kitzmann in HC v. Sentara
• Steve Friedman from Marks & Harrison in Colas v. Tyree
• Lee Floyd and Billie Hobbs Leeth from Breit Biniazan in Howard v. Harris

Thursday, April 18 at 2:00 pm

Excelsia Injury Care’s mission is to restore quality of life through patient-centric care and support for those injured in a motor vehicle or work-related accident. They offer the full continuum of care with an integrated care delivery model. Excelsia provides the full spectrum of treatment - including physical rehabilitation, medical care, and other ancillary services. At Excelsia, your clients are never far from the care they need with the compassion they deserve!

Join us on April 18 at 2:00 pm to hear from Excelsia Injury Care about what they can offer you and your clients. Register here.

• Rebekah Alexander*
• Ana Bonilla*
• Nicole Comer*
• Patrick Corish
• Alyssa DeSimone*
• Tysharah Kandace Gardner
• Amy Hanlein-Falcon*
• Janice Jang
• Joseph Eduardo Johns
• Christopher John Keller
• Melissa Kouri
• Philip Kuljurgis
• Zoe Nichole Light*
• Jennifer Stuart Linnen
• Rachel Medina*
• Samanta L. Paz*
• Kyle Shoemaker
• Andrew R. Stover
• Valerie Torrez*
• Brandon Zanan

*Paralegal member

More than 400 of you came together just a few weeks ago for Renewal! Thanks to each of you who attended in personal and virtually, our great cadre of speakers, and Chair Les Bowers. Click here to check out some of our pics!

A special thanks this month to an amazing group of sponsors - both members and vendors, who combined to help make this convention a success. And of course, thanks to Vaden Warren for his service as president over the last year and congratulations to Joanna Suyes who is now at the helm for the next year! Mark your calendars for next year’s convention at The Homestead March 19-22.

It’s time for new year’s resolutions you can keep! VTLA's “year” runs from convention to convention, so make a commitment to become more involved in your Association beginning now. The best step is working through one of our many committees so take a look here at what might interest you. If you have ideas that don't fit in any of these areas, reach out and let us know!

VTLA’s Pro Bono Committee sponsored a Wills Clinic last month in partnership with the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation (GRBF) at the Hickory Hill Community Center in Richmond. VTLA members and staff helped provide a basic Will, Power of Attorney, and Advance Medical Directive to about a dozen clients of Richmond’s Office of Aging and Disability Services. GRBF’s training and mentorship made it easy for even non-trusts & estates lawyers to participate! Thank you to VTLA’s volunteers for giving back to our community.

Wills Clinics are an easy and rewarding way to complete pro bono hours. Stay tuned for upcoming volunteer opportunities. Pictured above: Ami Kim, Executive Director of GRBF; Hannah Brechlin, VTLA staff; Shane Harper, Director of Administration & Programs at GRBF; and Andy Nea, Pro Bono Partner at Williams Mullen and Wills Clinic program founder.

For decades, VTLA has honored a journalist for their work in reporting on issues relating to our civil or criminal justice system. This year, we honored Tessa Kramer for her podcast called Admissible: Shreds of Evidence where she investigated Mary Jane Burton, a Virginia crime lab serologist, who was celebrated for years for saving scraps of evidence that had later exonerated 13 men through DNA testing. What she found instead were questionable practices and motives that likely played a part in the wrongful convictions in the first place.

Through her investigation, we are called to review the role of forensic evidence in our criminal justice system, to reconsider thousands of decades-old convictions where the state holds evidence samples, and to recommit to the pursuit of justice for all. Tessa’s podcast was a co-production of Virginia Public Media (VPM) and Story Mechanics. Click here to listen!