What a year! Thank you for being part of VTLA. Take a quick glance at 2022 here and make plans to join the fun in the new year! Consider whether to attend a program, contribute to our upcoming revised litigation library online, join in a virtual section meeting, or even just read a Journal article - we have ways to help you succeed. We look forward to seeing you in 2023!

VTLA members attended and participated in the VSB Pro Bono Awards Dinner and Ceremony in October. VTLA Vice President Joanna Suyes is the current chair of the VSB Standing Committee on Access to Legal Services. Here, she is joined by Bryan Slaughter, Dale Pittman, VSB President Stephanie Grana, Dascher Pasco, and Brody Reid. Thank you all for your commitment to improving access to justice in our Commonwealth.

We welcomed more than 40 attendees to the Tractor Trailer Retreat CLE last week. Thanks to Jason Konvicka with Allen Allen Allen & Allen, for putting together a great lineup of topics and speakers for the weekend. Highlights included onsite inspection by attendees of an actual tractor-trailer and a case workshop with Joe Fried and Michael Leizerman. Let us know - should we hold this retreat more often?

Thanks for the invitation, VADA! A number of VTLA members attended the annual meeting as speakers or honored guests a few weeks ago. Tom Curcio, John Lichtenstein and Lauren Ellerman delivered a plaintiff perspective in litigation.

John received the 2022 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. John joins a special group who have won the award, recognizing attorneys who exhibit the highest degree of civility and professionalism and, through interactions with others, promote the highest levels of competence, integrity, and ethical conduct. John is a past president of VTLA and is with Marks & Harrison in Richmond. Congratulations!

Some members reconnected. Some met for the first time. After sharing time, food and drink, everyone was connected! We had a great turnout at the YTL Happy Hour in October at Brambly Park in Richmond - let's keep the connections going at the YTL Retreat in February! (Watch for details but block February 4-5 now.)

If you are handling motor vehicle personal injury cases, you need to stop right now and register for this seminar! Gerry Schwartz will get you up to speed on the important NEW changes to underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in Virginia. There’s no better way to get this information (and so much more) than attending this seminar, taught by a true Virginia expert. All registrants will also receive an electronic copy of Gerry’s outstanding resource, Virginia Auto Insurance Law. Seminar registrants have the unique opportunity to purchase a printed copy of the book for only $50 (a $40 savings). Register here for the December 13 Richmond location (or virtual option this day only) or here for December 15 in Reston.

Consider running for a seat on VTLA’s Board as an elected District Governor! VTLA has 13 Districts and 16 District Governor seats with the next one-year term of office beginning March 26, 2023. We need to have a signed petition to seek election by December 29. Learn more about the composition of VTLA’s Board of Governors, the current Governors and responsibilities by reading more.
Still have questions? Call Valerie O’Brien at 804-343-1143, ext. 302 or email.

We are deeply thankful for our members all year long, but November is a perfect chance to express that thanks even more. VTLA wouldn’t be the outstanding organization it is without the time, energy, wisdom, and contributions of so many of you. Heartfelt thanks to our committee members, board members, CLE speakers, planners, authors, leaders, donors, movers and shakers – we say THANK YOU. 

• Kate Beurmann-O'Neill
• John Boneta
• Priti Khanna
• Eric Paul Korslund
• Stephanie Sweeney