Make your New Year’s resolution to start 2026 strong with VTLA!

• We are launching a series of vital webinars for 2026, bringing you practical information to bolster your practice. Watch your email for January’s program on med pay.
• Solo and Small Firm Section will hold a webinar January 15 at 4 pm featuring a presentation on developing an AI policy for your office.
• Workers’ Compensation Retreat, February 6-7 in Richmond
• Long Term Care Retreat, February 6-7 in Fredericksburg
• Advanced Family Law Retreat, February 20-21 in Charlottesville

We look forward to seeing you!

In January, Virginia will usher in a new administration and a significant number of new delegates in our General Assembly. Throughout the campaign season, you heard many of the major issues facing our Commonwealth and there is no shortage of ideas for what needs to be done. VTLA will continue our work to preserve, protect and improve your practice and access to justice for your clients while diligently watching for issues that could adversely affect you.

You can help! Be a member of our legislative team for our annual Justice Day on January 28. We start the day at the VTLA office with an overview of issues, followed by a short walk up to the General Assembly building to visit legislator offices. No experience is necessary. We start at 8:30 am, and we wrap up after a quick lunch. Coming in from out of town? There are overnight rooms nearby. Sign up today!

Food insecurity in Virginia affects nearly 1 million of our neighbors, with about 1 in 8 residents lacking consistent access to nutritious food, a situation that has obviously worsened this year and is impacting children significantly.

Members of VTLA’s Board launched a campaign this month through our Foundation to raise much needed funds for three regional food banks, helping to feed fellow Virginians as the harsh winter approaches.

Please consider a gift of any size to the VTL Foundation this month and we will divide all contributions to feed our neighbors across the Commonwealth. DONATE HERE.

Have you considered seeking a position on the VTLA Board of Governors? It's that time of year again! Consider running for a seat as an elected District Governor on our 2026-2027 Board. VTLA has 13 Districts and 16 District Governor seats with the next one-year term of office beginning March 21, 2026. The districts and current governors are listed in the Directory of Members and Services and in the petition.

Interested? Please submit the signed petition by December 30. Learn more about the composition of VTLA’s Board of Governors, the current Governors and responsibilities by reading more here.

Still have questions? Call Valerie O’Brien at 804-343-1143, ext. 302 or email here.

We celebrate a great pro bono turnout for VTLA and the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation! Nine volunteers, along with staff member Hannah Brechlin, helped 17 clients with their life planning documents. Click here for more photos. Huge thanks to our VTLA volunteers:

• Kristie Kubik, Cannella & O'Neal
• Kelly Martin, Latham & Martin
• Lisa Barnett, The Parrish Law Firm
• Gianni Puglielli, Puglielli Injury Law
• Porscha Brown, Pendleton Law
• Tina Williamson, paralegal, Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian
• Linda Montalvo-Raburn, Paralegal/notary
• Katie Obermiller, paralegal/Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci 

Thank you for riding along with VTLA for 2025. Take a quick glance at our year here and when you approach 2026, we hope you resolve to lean even more into your VTLA membership! Start the year off right by joining us for Justice Day - come to Richmond and meet your legislators and tell them about the important work you do. We have some exciting programs planned to meet you where you are - start by making plans to see old and new friends at our convention in March. Stay tuned for another banner VTLA year!

Our Annual Paralegal Seminar was indeed electric! We kicked off last Wednesday evening with a social at Park Lane Tavern in Fredericksburg, sponsored by MediVisuals + High Impact, Joanna Wynes Settlements, and Carr Legal Nurse Consulting. The momentum continued on Thursday as nearly 150 paralegals and 20 exhibitors filled the Fredericksburg Convention Center for a day of education, networking, and fun! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, and a special acknowledgement to our breakfast and lunch sponsor, Injured Workers Pharmacy (IWP), for helping make this event a success. Watch for information on next year’s program soon! Check out more photos here.

VTLA’s 2026 Convention will be March 18-21 at The Greenbrier. Answering The Call will look at many of the aspects of you as a lawyer, answering the call for justice, protecting the rights of the accused, advocating for change and so much more. We have national speakers ready to recharge you and a host of Virginia speakers to share insights with you. Make sure you answer the call and attend in March!

Convention registration will open soon. In the meantime, The Greenbrier is now open for reservations. As a special for VTLA, the Greenbrier room rate includes breakfast and dinner each day. Call 855-453-4858 to make your room reservations!

Be a celebrity at our convention this March by becoming a sponsor! In addition to providing VTLA with much needed financial support to deliver the best experience, we will love shouting out your support of us. Sign up here. Questions? Reach out to Kelly Parrish by email or 804.343.1143 ext. 305

Stay part of the VTLA community for 2026 by renewing your membership today. You can renew online, over the phone (804.343.1143), or through the mail using the invoice you should have received recently. Have questions? Need another copy of your invoice? Email our membership team and we will be glad to help.

Members and friends gathered in Charlottesville and Hampton last month to connect, catch up, and enjoy good company. These gatherings continue the work of our district governors to build and support the broader VTLA community. 

The Charlottesville event (pictured above) was hosted by District 11 Governor Joel Young and VTLA Treasurer Julie Gerock. Big thanks to TrustRx for sponsoring! And in Hampton, District Governor Jan Hoen and Vice President Erin Jewell hosted members at a pizza lunch. 

These gatherings follow those in Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Richmond and Harrisonburg in the past few months. We love seeing you at these events and listening to your concerns. If we've missed you, please reach out to any of the VTLA leaders or Valerie at VTLA any time.