The Virginia Trial Lawyers Foundation (VTLF) promotes equal access to justice for all Virginians through educational programs for trial lawyers, law students and the public. The programs support the justice system by improving the trial advocacy skills of lawyers and law students, and by enhancing the public’s understanding of the legal system.

Programs and projects supported by VTLF:

 

VTL Foundation Scholarship for second year law students

 

Bicycle Helmet Safety program, a program that has distributed thousands of bike helmets and safety information, to low-income elementary school students regarding the importance of wearing them. Learn more here...

 

Published “The Art and Science of Mastering the Jury Trial” co-authored by Judge Sam Johnston and attorney Irv Cantor.

 

Provided essential support, beginning in 2017, for production of “The Judge: Robert J. Merhige Jr.” a film produced by the American Documentary Film Fund.

 

• Supported the development of video interviews with Supreme Court of Virginia judges and law schools for "The Art of Appellate Advocacy," led by Jeffrey Breit.
   
• Contributed financial support to promote public access to the Margaret Edds book, "We Face the Dawn," honoring the heroic advocacy of Oliver Hill and Spotswood Robinson.
• Foundation’s initial project was the production of “The Road to Justice” video and materials..
   
• Developed a “Trial by Jury” program, which was a mock civil trial presented at the 1991 Virginia State Fair.
   
• Established two scholarship programs, the Bruce D. Rasmussen Trial Advocacy Scholarship Endowment Fund, and the Robert J. Macbeth Jr. Scholarship Fund to benefit law students and lawyers.