VTLA's Business Partners are an important part of the family and to say thank you, our Board hosted a first-ever informal reception late last month. It was a great time to simply meet and greet. Thanks to all who attended.

While many of you know the companies in our Business Partner community, take a few minutes to meet the people behind the company name and share their fun from this summer!  Looks like everyone is all refreshed and ready to serve you and your clients in the rest of 2025 and beyond. 

September 25 - Reston or Virtual

Emerging and complex issues in equitable distribution will take the stage in our annual Family Law Seminar. We’ll take a look at high-stakes issues such as identifying and valuing cryptocurrency, untangling complex investment portfolios, and applying effective classification and tracing techniques to marital and separate property.

Of course we’ll also discuss how AI is reshaping legal practice, get the latest updates on the legal status of embryo division, and gain valuable practical insights from a panel of Circuit Court judges. Register here today.

Sept 12-13 in Fredericksburg

Thinking about taking on medical malpractice cases? Or looking to enhance your strategy? May seem like climbing Mount Everest, but we have a solution! 

This retreat focuses on case selection, working with medical experts, navigating pre-suit requirements, and using AI to efficiently put your case together for trial. Learn from experienced trial lawyers how to evaluate potential cases, develop compelling theories of liability, and manage the unique challenges that come with litigating against healthcare providers.

Whether you’re new to med mal or looking to sharpen your skills, this CLE will equip you with the tools to build stronger cases and advocate more effectively for your clients from beginning to end. Register here.

Half Day Seminar - September 5 - Richmond

Join your fellow New Trial Lawyers for our capstone event of the year! A great lineup of topics will be covered, including:

• How to Investigate Cases
• Motions Practice
• Courtroom 101
• Client Interactions
• Case Management, Preparing for Depositions, Preparing Witnesses and more!

Register here.

July featured our annual Advanced Auto Retreat, and it didn't disappoint. Based on attendee reviews, the topics hit new and interesting points, speakers were spot on, and as always, Charlottesville is great even in the middle of summer. Thanks to all who spoke, who attended and who sponsored food and drinks - all make for a great event. Check out some photos here.

See you next year! If you have ideas for what you’d like to see at this retreat, let our incoming Education Chair Gobind Sethi know!

September 26 - 6:30-8:30 pm

Join us for our fall social event at Tap It Craft Brewery in Norfolk. Open to any paralegal or law office support staff. Come and meet your colleagues - see old friends and make new ones!  This free event includes food and drinks. RSVP here.

Annual Paralegal Seminar coming up November 13
Find out more about our upcoming annual seminar here. This is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and get CLE credits, learn more about vendors who can help you in your everyday work tasks, and meet fellow paralegals from all over the state.

As always, learn more about paralegal membership, events, and activities here.

Thursday, August 21 at 2:00 pm

What is the difference between insured and self-funded ERISA liens, and why should you care? Find out on Thursday, August 21 at 2:00 pm with Rodd Santomauro from Synergy in our latest Practice Chat. Sign up here.

Whether on the listserves, at a CLE event, or on LinkedIn, Rodd Santomauro always has advice to share with ways to help you help your clients. On Thursday, he’ll explain the distinction between insured and self-funded ERISA liens, and why it should matter to you. This is a free, 30-minute presentation open to all VTLA members.

Join us and thank you Synergy for being a Platinum-level Business Partner.

Community - Advocacy - Education: these are the fundamental tenets of VTLA. After a leadership retreat earlier this summer, our District Governors have actively taken on the role of connecting members in each district. Before the end of the year, you will receive a very informal invitation to a very informal event just to get together. Nope, no zoom option. Nothing is recorded. It’s just time to check in with each other. Someone from VTLA will be there to listen to what you need from the association. How can we help you more? Are you aware of the benefits already at your fingertips?

Several events are already on the calendar, beginning this week in Fairfax! Keep watching, or feel free to reach out to your district governor (here’s a list).

We are living out the African proverb: If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. Let’s all go far, together!

Congratulations to VTLA President Derrick Walker who was elected treasurer of the American Association for Justice at its annual meeting last month. A number of other members were elected to various section leadership positions and the following received special awards:

• Don Scott: Minority Caucus Soaring Eagle Award
• Kevin Biniazan: New Lawyers Division F. Scott Baldwin Award and the Richard D. Haley Distinguished Service award for members of the AAJ Board of Governors who during the past year have been of special assistance to the President of the Association
• Bridget Long: Certificate of Recognition recognizing members for their exemplary and exceptional level of service to AAJ through fundraising, membership, advocacy, or education.

Earlier this month, VTLA members gathered virtually to talk about LinkedIn and, let’s face it, about Maggie. (If you don’t know VTLA member Brewster Rawls on LinkedIn, you probably don’t know Maggie, but many do.)

Actually, Solo and Small Firm Section Co-Chair Tony Greene led a discussion among three VTLA members each active in LinkedIn in different ways. Each discussed how to get beyond the “our firm got a great designation” posts to more effective discussions and new connections. Thanks to Brewster Rawls, Sharif Gray, Amy Bradley, and all those who joined in the discussion.

Looking for more great content? Join the section here! (On that listserve, topics have ranged from virtual receptionists to copiers.)