December 16 at 4pm

OK, maybe not the same as Happy New Year, but working with our friends at Synergy Settlement Services might just ring in the new year a little bit better. Get more information about what they can offer you (in addition to peace of mind) at this quick, free VTLA webinar. Join Rodd Santomauro from Synergy not only to learn a valuable tip or two, but more about what they can do for you in all your cases that are riddled with liens.

Sign up HERE

Did you miss last month’s session with Truist? Here’s the recording!
 

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 27, 2022. But we need to have a signed petition to seek election by December 31. 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 vobrien@vtla.com.

Zev Antell 
Robert E. Byrne, Jr.
Thomas A. Fitzgerald, II
Kyle McNew
Colin P. O'Dawe
Charles H. “Trey” Smith, III
Morgan Whitlock

December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, an annual observance day proclaimed by the United Nations in 1992.  In accord with the VTLA Diversity and Inclusion Alliance’s continuing efforts to inform and enable our members to promote diverse and inclusive practices through their work, this month we have chosen to focus on the disability community, a group that often gets overlooked in the Diversity and Inclusion setting. Thanks to Samantha Sledd, co-chair of the DIA, for sharing her thoughts.

Keep reading...

If you or someone at your firm is in your first few years of practice as a young lawyer, sign up for our 4th annual Young Trial Lawyers Boot Camp in February 2022. Learn all the things you didn’t learn in law school from some of Virginia’s leading trial lawyers in an intentionally tight group of young lawyers just like you. Check out the registration page for topics, speakers, and dates – you won’t want to miss out!

Only $99 for all 4 sessions for VTLA members. Space is limited.

Register HERE

There will be many new faces in the legislature in 2022 and we need your help more than ever to make sure they are educated about matters of civil justice and Virginians' access to responsible legal representation. Help us in this important mission on VTLA’s Justice Day, January 26. 

Join us beginning at 8:15 am for a strategy session and light breakfast, before we head over to the General Assembly Building by 9 am to speak directly to legislators and their staffs about the issues that matter to you and your clients. Bonus points if you call your own legislator’s office before the 26th and set an appointment for that morning! Need help finding your legislator or how to contact them? Just call us!

Our Justice Day concludes with lunch to debrief and discuss what you learned as “Lobbyist for a Day.” No prior experience is necessary!

Register HERE

Thank you. Surrounded and sometimes overwhelmed by uncertainties this year, we discovered the most sure constant was our VTLA family. Whether frustrated with not being able to get in the courthouse or the challenges of a quickly changing law practice, our members turned to each other for support and insight. You attended CLE topics on timely topics, you reached out to each other on our listserves, you participated in virtual subject meetings. We met some of you for the first time this year and we saw some of you for the hundredth time. Thank you for each and every encounter. Best wishes for a warm, joyous season and a prosperous new year.

- Valerie M. O'Brien, Executive Director

P.S. Check out all that VTLA did this year!

Don't forget to renew your VTLA membership! You can renew online (log in to our website and go to MyVTLA), over the phone (804.343.1143), or through the mail using the invoice you should have received in the last couple of weeks. It's a quick and easy thing to scratch off your "to do" list. Do it now and make sure you're ready to go for 2023!

We were thrilled to have 180+ in attendance at the October Advocacy hybrid CLE last month. Thanks to Erin Jewell, Patten, Wornom, Hatten, & Diamonstein, LC, for putting together an amazing lineup of topics and speakers for the day. Topics ranged from brushing up skills for practice in the "expanded" general district court to a popular presentation with a trial prep checklist. Watch for our on demand offerings if you missed it!
 

YTL Boot Camp – Coming Soon!

February 2022

If you or someone at your firm are in their first few years of practice as a young lawyer, stay tuned for details coming soon on our 4th annual Young Trial Lawyers Boot Camp in February 2022. Learn all the things you didn’t learn in law school from some of Virginia’s leading trial lawyers in an intentionally small group of young lawyers just like you. We'll meet four weeks in a row and learn invaluable information to help you in your career and make lasting friendships and connections. Registration opening soon!

Speaking of young trial lawyers...we had a fantastic turnout at the YTL Happy Hour in October at Brambly Park in Richmond. First time getting back together in over 18 months and it felt so good!