We're wrapping up the 2020-2021 Conventions in style! Join your VTLA friends for a cocktail reception, dinner & band on Friday, September 10 from 6-10 pm at the Westin Alexandria Old Town. We'll celebrate our 2020 and 2021 VTLA award recipients historically honored at the Annual Convention along with a celebration of presidents and VTLA work.

Read more and purchase your tickets HERE.

VTLA Launches New Post-Covid Verdicts Database

What is happening across the state with verdicts since the Covid shutdowns? Report your outcomes (wins AND losses) in this quick and easy forum. Interested in what may be happening in a particular circuit? Look and see what your colleagues have reported. Please enter trial data for all verdicts in jury trials in Virginia since March 15, 2020.

Give it a shot - start entering and searching HERE.

As part of the VTLA Diversity and Inclusion Alliance’s continuing efforts to encourage all colleagues, friends and families to listen and learn about our past to shape our future, please read this powerful message relating to events from this week in Charlottesville, 123 years ago.

Congratulations to the VTLA members in the 2021 class of “Influential Women of Law,” presented by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. This program honors accomplished and high-achieving women who have improved the legal profession in the Commonwealth. The Class of 2021 will be honored during an online event July 20.

• Vicki L. Francois, Roanoke
• Christen C. Church, Roanoke
• Tracy A. Houck, Fredericksburg
• Erin E. Jewell, Newport News
• Bridget N. Long, Petersburg
• Elizabeth G. Perrow, Roanoke
• Melissa G. Ray, Woodbridge

The month of June is recognized as Pride Month by the LGBTQ+ community in the United States and in numerous countries abroad. As part of the VTLA Diversity and Inclusion Alliance’s ongoing commitment to educating and empowering our members through diverse voices, we took some time this month to undertake a closer look at the history of Pride and the ongoing LGBTQ+ rights movement and actions you can take to continue your educational journey.

As the world reopens, VTLA provides opportunities for members to gather safely for learning, laughing and sharing. Most recently, our Non-Economic Damages Retreat in Alexandria featured all of those elements! Thanks to our Chair Melissa Ray, reception sponsor Planet Depos  and all attendees who made the event a success.

Beyond the Treating Physician: Unconventional Experts in the Automobile Case

This year's Advanced Auto Retreat will focus on experts you may need and you never even knew it! Attend to engage in confidential discussions about what is happening today in Virginia auto crash cases. Take a look at the full agenda and sign up to be a part of this special event.

Join us in sitting around the virtual “campfire” to discuss the changes in General District Court practice

Pull up a chair/stump for our open Zoom meeting and let’s talk about the changes, strategies and scary stories about practicing in General District Court beginning July 1. Veteran GDC practitioners Rob Reed, Jan Hoen, Amy Bradley and Mark Dix join moderator Elliott Buckner in gathering ’round a crackling virtual Zoom fire - join us if you’re a plaintiff only member, won’t you? Don’t miss this informal and invaluable time together - and the best part? You won’t leave smelling like smoke. Sign up here!

Did you know VTLA members have access to 150 interpreters on-demand at a special member rate? You’ll be connected to an interpreter within minutes through Translations International. Full details available HERE – give them a call next time you need assistance!

If you missed our Sovereign & Qualified Immunity webinar in May, the replay is now available! Virginia experts discussed the differences between these two timely topics, how they apply to police misconduct cases and more. View the webinar here. 2 CLE hours (still pending)

Additional Resources:

“Qualified Immunity & State Legislative Reform in a Nutshell” is a handy synopsis you can download and keep nearby.

"Qualified Immunity - The Vibranium Shield of Constitutional Law" written by Isaac McBeth, Halperin Law Center, from the Civil Rights issue of The Journal last year.