VTLA’s President-elect Joanna Suyes joined our legislative team at a conference last week of similar teams from all over the country to discuss legislative actions and trends. The Government Affairs Conference is sponsored by NATLE (the National Association of Trial Lawyer Executives). Our own Executive Director Valerie O’Brien is president of that group and hosted them at Lansdowne.

Virginia Senator Scott Surovell, the Senate’s newest Majority Leader, kicked off the conference and AAJ CEO Linda Lipsen, AAJ President Sean Domnick and dozens of others brought their perspectives from the national level to every kind of state politically. VTLA – always learning to improve what we do for you!

Tom was awarded the 2023 VADA-VTLA Civility and Professionalism Award at the VADA Annual Meeting in October.

The annual award is given by each organization to honor an outstanding member from the other. Tom joins a special group of award winners, recognized for the highest degree of civility and professionalism and, through their interactions with others, promote the highest levels of competence, integrity, and ethical conduct. Tom is a past president of VTLA and is with Curcio Law in Alexandria.

Congratulations, Tom!

VTLA’s education programs were the highlight of our Fall. Hundreds of members gathered for a wide range of programs, from family to personal injury to workers' compensation. Check out a few pictures here from these programs - hope we see you next year! 

Speaking of next year, members of our Education Committee held a retreat last month to brainstorm topics and programs for next year. Matt Foster with Bangel, Bangel & Bangel in Portsmouth is the 2024 chair and he left the retreat with a list of great ideas. Thank you to the committee members who spent the day talking school. Have a suggestion? Let us know here!

It was great to see a couple hundred of you at our paralegal seminar earlier this month! The annual seminar is the opportunity to recognize and thank outgoing chair Nicole Terry (pictured above with Brooks Godwin) and welcome new chair Lynne Seay from the Fredericksburg Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office; chair-elect  Tammy Lynn from Monge & Associates, and newly elected secretary Matt McMullen from Blaszkow Legal in Alexandria.

Miss the seminar and want the materials? Click here.

We need you ... and you ... AND you!

We need you so that we can continue our critical legislative advocacy program protecting you and your clients. We need you so that we can continue our year-round monitoring and influencing the development and modification of important laws. We need you so that we can continue supporting legislators and candidates who believe in the fundamental principles of justice for your clients.

“Without our Legislative Advocacy program, the right of trial by jury -- could all go away with a stroke of the pen.” – VTLA contributor Elliott Buckner

How can you help?  By contributing to VTLA as well as the VTL PAC. Are you already a donor? Consider jumping up a giving level or at year-end, please consider an additional gift! Haven’t made a gift yet in 2023? Join hundreds of your colleagues who understand the importance of this work and join a giving club.

Every gift, every voice builds the strength of our program. And every dollar continues the fight for equal access to justice for all Virginians. Please email Lori O’Toole or call (804) 343-1143 ext. 312 to get signed up! You can also easily contribute online here.

Join our Contributor Team today!

Have you seen work this year of an outstanding Virginia journalist reporting on criminal or civil justice issues that has increased public awareness and understanding? Let us know so we can consider them for our Excellence in Journalism Award. 

Nominate a reporter by emailing the entry to Sayeema Hoque at VTLA by January 31. For more information on the award, its objectives, and eligibility, please click here.  

Did you miss it?

VTLA’s Sources of Coverage seminar last month was a great hit among attendees. From great presenters to the outstanding book, you can still get the information. Here's how:

• Full seminar (with 2024 CLE credit) is available on demand - includes video and e-book choose this option
• Book only (electronic or printed)  choose this option

Regardless how you receive the information, just make sure you have it! 

We are truly thankful for our members all year long, but November is a perfect chance to say thanks one more time. VTLA is who we are because of you – your time, energy, wisdom, and contributions make us great. To all our committee members, listserve posters, CLE speakers and attendees, planners, authors, leaders, donors, movers and shakers – we say THANK YOU.

Peak shopping and shipping season is here and VTLA’s reduced rates will help make it better! Use the following 3 tips to help optimize your holiday outcomes:

Ship early and save. Sign up for a new account or login to your existing account to make sure you are taking advantage of your VTLA UPS Savings Program discounts.

Download or bookmark the 2023 Year-End Schedule from UPS. Use the schedule to answer questions, review services and confirm recommended ship by dates for on-time shipment arrivals before the holidays.

Don't let porch pirates steal your holiday cheer! InsureShield® shipping protection can give you the defense you need to keep the Grinch away. Simply enter the value of the goods in the declared value* field of your UPS® approved shipping system.

Save Now! 

Come see the new painting added to our office in Richmond! Not only does it brighten our wall, but the artist’s story is a perfect representation of the important work our members do every day.

In 2018, Kitty Tong was hit by a car walking home from work. She experienced a traumatic brain injury, spent five months in the hospital and now lives with aphasia. Her language is now her art, using her non-dominant hand and acrylic and watercolor paint. As her right side is slowly gaining strength, she adds detail. She has also launched a YouTube channel, S.A.Y. Younger Aphasia Group, with Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational and Physical Therapists and medical professionals along with other younger aphasia people sharing their stories. Find out more here.