VTLA Sections 2026-2027

Stay on top of your specialty area by joining and participating in VTLA sections. All sections have been created to foster continuing legal education and scholarship, to improve trial and appellate skills, to advocate for legislative change when necessary and to bring together members. VTLA offers the following sections:

Appellate Practice Section - View Members - Join Section
Members are involved in efforts to improve appellate practice and procedure. This section is chaired by Ashley T. Davis, and staffed by Valerie O'Brien.

Business Litigation Section - View Members - Join Section
Members are involved in employment matters, contracts, and other small business litigation. This section is chaired by Thomas "Bo" Frith, IV, and staffed by Valerie O'Brien.

Civil Rights Law Section - View Members - Join Section
Members are involved in Section 1983 civil rights litigation. This section is chaired by Jonathan Halperin, and staffed by Valerie O'Brien.

Consumer Law Section - View Members - Join Section
Section membership requires certification that more than 75% of a member's consumer-related advocacy is on behalf of consumers. This section is chaired by Drew Sarrett and staffed by Valerie O'Brien.

Criminal Law Section - View Members - Join Section
This section sponsors a program at the Annual Convention. This section is chaired by Peter Greenspun, and staffed by Kelly Parrish.

Employment Law Section - View Members - Join Section
Section membership requires certification that more than 50% of a member's employment related litigation is on behalf of employees. This section is chaired by Nicholas Simopoulos, and staffed by Mandy Burnett.

Family Law Section - View Members - Join Section
This section sponsors the Annual Family Law Seminar, as well as a program at the Annual Convention. This section is chaired by Kate Beurmann-O'Neill, and staffed by Kelly Parrish.

Long-Term Care Litigation Section - View Members - Join Section
Members are involved in representing plaintiffs against long-term care facilities. VTLA LTCLS members may not represent, nor may any member of his or her firm represent a long-term care facility in an action against that facility by or on behalf of any resident of the facility. A written certification is required - please click here. This section is chaired by Ellen C. Bognar, and staffed by Kelly Parrish.

Products Liability Section - View Members - Join Section
Section membership requires certification that neither the member nor law firm does a substantial amount of personal injury defense work. This section is chaired by Gregory L. Lyons, and staffed by Valerie O'Brien.

Professional Liability Section - View Members - Join Section
Members of this section are active in medical, legal and accounting malpractice, as well as actions against other professionals regulated by the Code of Virginia. This section is chaired by Charles "Trey" H. Smith, III, and staffed by Lori O'Toole.

Social Security Section - View Members - Join Section 
Membership in the section requires good standing to practice before the Social Security Administration. Members exclusively represent claimants. This section is chaired by Brian J. Gillette, and staffed by Mandy Burnett.

Solo and Small Firm Section - View Members - Join Section 
Members in this section are interested in the management of solo or small firms. This section is currently chaired by Allyson Kitchel and Sharif Gray, and staffed by Valerie O'Brien.

Workers Compensation Section - View Members - Join Section
Members of this section must certify that their Workers' Compensation litigation is on behalf of claimants. A written certification is required for the listserve - please click here. This section is chaired by Berkley D. Foltz, and staffed by Mandy Burnett.

Women's Caucus Section
All female members of VTLA are automatically a member of the Women's Caucus.  This section is chaired by Christina R. Dimeo, and staffed by Valerie O'Brien.

New Trial Lawyers Section
All members in practice 10 years or less are automatically a member of the New Trial Lawyers. This section is chaired by Daniel E. Savage, and staffed by Hannah Tisdale.