It’s October, but already time to think about next summer! The Virginia Trial Lawyers Foundation is excited to launch a Diversity Fellowship that will combine a $5,000 scholarship with a paid opportunity to work in a VTLA-member firm for the summer. 

This opportunity is ideal to encourage law students to experience the world of trial practice, to welcome diverse members into the VTLA family, and to grow your firm (if only for a few months). 

We are looking to identify those firms interested in hiring a VTLF Fellow, so please let us know if you are interested. Contact Lori O’Toole. The Foundation Board will review all applicants and recommend up to four Fellows each year.

Who is a VTLF Fellow? A rising third year law student who exhibits a diversity of traits and attributes in age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic factors or national origin or demonstrate a commitment to fostering such diversity within the legal community; demonstrates a strong interest in and/or commitment to the practice areas of VTLA members (plaintiff’s civil actions, defense of criminal actions, family law, workers’ compensation actions, and civil rights); and demonstrates a commitment to social justice. In other words, a VTLF Fellow is your next great experience!

VTLA membership gives you a distinct edge.

It’s that time of year again! Pumpkins, leaves, apples…and dues renewal. Yes, yes…it’s time to renew your VTLA membership. You can renew online, over the phone, or through the mail using the invoice which should be arriving in your mailbox soon. We look forward to seeing you throughout 2023!

Know someone who should be a VTLA member? Now is the best time - join now and have membership through the rest of this year and next. (And if they mention you referred them, your name gets put in a drawing for some great prizes!)

• Alex Bastani
• Anna Marie Crandall
• Kristin Donovan
• W. Scott Greco
• Annah K. Green
• Rachel McFarland
• Anthony Paone
• Samuel M. Pender
• Elaine Poon
• Sharon L. Powell
• Kelly P. Salzmann
• Lori D. Thompson
• Granville C. Warner
• Jonathan Wood
• Jason B. Yarashes

October 25, 2022

Although some trial lawyers may be naturally gifted storytellers, storytelling is skill that can be learned and honed. This program is about how to develop and communicate stories across the spectrum of trial and to a multitude of audiences. Whether you are new to the practice of law or have been practicing for decades, attend this seminar and walk away with new insight into the art of persuasive storytelling.

Join us in Richmond or online. Register HERE

Thanks to a great suggestion from VTLA member, Amy Whitelaw, we have added “Other Languages Spoken” to the Update Your Profile form (login required) on our website. Members can now let us know what other languages they speak. This could be helpful for you and your clients if you’re looking for a VTLA member that speaks a specific language.

The public can search for other languages on the Find A Lawyer Directory and VTLA members can search for other languages on the online Membership Directory (login required).

Thanks for the idea, Amy!

• Kevin Biniazan
• Ashley Davis
• Joel McClellan
• Ryan Walker

View all of our donors HERE

Click HERE to add your name to this list!

Bring a new member into the VTLA family and you both win! Every time you recruit a new member, you help strengthen VTLA. A vital and growing membership means improved educational and networking opportunities and helps ensure the best judicial system for all Virginians. And any time a new member says you referred them, you are entered into a drawing for some really great prizes!

Details HERE!
 

September 20 at 12pm

We learned in Part One: The What (recording now available!) about the type of digital data is collected, who stores it, and for how long. Don’t miss Part Two of this series next week where you will learn how to obtain records that may be crucial for your case and explore the legal process and practical application. Real-life case examples will be used to show how evidence recovered can be used in cases and investigations. The proper methods to forensically acquire data evidence will be covered as well as how evidence can be challenged in court. Because of the differences and limitations in obtaining information in each, the talk will cover issues associated with acquiring this data in both criminal cases versus civil cases.

Register HERE

On the second Wednesday of each month for the next seven months, grab your lunch and join us! Watch and learn from some of the very best trial attorneys as they demonstrate their trial techniques instead of simply talking about them. Our fact pattern follows a wrongful death trucking case with video of the accident. After each presentation, there will be a live discussion with the facilitator about how the presenters formulated their arguments or examinations. We are taking a new approach by dividing a normally day-long program into pieces, beginning in October. Watch your email and our website for details.

Last week, VTLA and VADA members came together to play the 9th Annual Frank Cowan Civility Golf Tournament at Independence Golf Club in Midlothian. While the VADA team carried the cup home this year, 48 golfers had a great time playing through an impressive rain storm.

The tournament began in 2014, originally organized by VADA then-president John Owen and VTLA then-president Tom Curcio, as a way to increase civility and friendship between members of the two associations. It is now named after Frank Cowan,  a lawyer who promoted civility and professionalism throughout his long and accomplished career. Based on the warm interactions between the players over the years, the tournament continues to serve its worthy purpose as old friends are seen and new ones made every year. Each year, we welcome more players - 24 on each team this year - and we’d love to have even more next year for our 10th anniversary! Let me know if you are interested in playing.

- Tom Curcio