2025 Paralegal Seminar

We will meet in person this year with an updated agenda!

We will meet in the Innsbrook area of Richmond, and your registration includes lunch and a networking reception.

A must-attend event for paralegals of all levels working in civil defense firms. This one-day webinar is designed to hone your skills as a valuable member of your legal team. Instructors include attorneys and senior paralegals from several Virginia defense firms. 

Draft Agenda

10:00 AM – Welcome Remarks

• Lindsay Rollins, Esq., VADA President, The Progressive Group

10:05 AM – 10:30 AM – An Overview of the Paralegal’s Role in Civil Litigation

• ·       Overview of civil litigation phases: pre-trial, trial, post-trial
• ·       Drafting pleadings, motions, and legal correspondence
• ·       Coordinating with clients, witnesses, and experts
• ·       Maintaining litigation calendars and deadlines
• ·       Ensuring compliance with court procedures
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• Abby Baker, Beacon Hill Legal
  Pam Khoury, Hancock Daniel
• Phylicia Preston, Esq., VADA Women’s Section Vice Chair, The Progressive Group

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM – The Rules of Engagement – Federal and State Court Rules

• ·       Where to find federal, state, and local rules
• ·       Key rules every litigation paralegal should know
• ·       Understanding rule amendments and recent changes
• ·       Practical tips for rule compliance
• ·       How to adapt to varying local court customs and expectations
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• James A. Cales, Esq., VADA Immediate Past President, Furniss Davis Rashkind & Saunders

11:15 AM – 11:45 PM – Best Practices for Document Review and Production

• ·       How to collect, organize, review and produce documents from parties as well as non-parties
• ·       Will include privileges to be aware of, Virginia spoliation laws, and federal production/preservation issues
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• Lindsay Rollins, Esq., VADA President, The Progressive Group

11:45 PM – 12:15 PM – Lunch Break (Provided)

• ·       Buffet lunch
• ·       Networking and Visit sponsor/vendor tables

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM – Working with Expert Witnesses       

• • ·       Learn the critical role expert witnesses play in litigation and how their testimony can influence case outcomes.
  • ·       Understand how paralegals support experts—from selection and vetting to scheduling and communication.
  • ·       Discover best practices for preparing expert packets, organizing materials, and tracking deadlines.
  • ·       Gain tips for managing depositions, trial prep, and ethical boundaries in expert interactions.
  • ·       Walk away with practical tools like checklists, logs, and workflows to streamline expert witness coordination.
• Julie Palmer, Esq., VADA Past President, Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman

12:45 PM – 2:00 PM – AI and Automation Tools for Paralegals

• ·       Overview of AI tools
• ·       Legal research
• ·       E-discovery tools and automated document review
• ·       Document review & contract analysis
• ·       Transcript & deposition analysis
• ·       AI-driven case management, software, and practice management
• ·       Make the most of Outlook features
• ·       Ethical considerations and best practices
• ·       Real-world examples of AI assisting paralegal teams
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• Taylor Brewer, Esq., VADA Treasurer, Moran Reeves Conn
• Jessica Glickman, Moran Reeves Conn

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM – Afternoon Break

• ·       Light refreshments
• ·       Final opportunity to network or visit vendors

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM – Trials 101 – Bringing Value to Trial Prep and Trial

• ·       Creating a trial timeline and checklist
• ·       Jury research strategies and voir dire support
• ·       Building and organizing the trial binder
• ·       Use of demonstratives and technology in the courtroom
• ·       Coordinating logistics (witnesses, exhibits, tech)
• ·       “Air traffic controller” role during trial
• ·       Trial Toolkit essentials: what every paralegal should have
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• Taylor Brewer, Esq., VADA Treasurer, Moran Reeves Conn
  Brian Coleman, In2Trial
• Kim Davis, Moran Reeves Conn

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM – Paralegal Certifications – Do They Matter?

• ·       Overview of major certification bodies and their differences
• ·       How certification can enhance job opportunities and salary
• ·       Requirements and costs of each credential
• ·       Study resources and exam prep strategies
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• Speaker(s) TBD

3:45 – 4:00 PM – Sponsor Raffle & Closing Remarks

4:00 – 5:00 PM – Networking Reception, hosted by Commonwealth of Virginia Paralegal Association and the University of Richmond Paralegal Studies Program

Sponsors

For sponsorship information, contact Amy Gilbody at agilbody@vada.org.