VADA Diversity Scholarship Announced, Save the Date for our Annual Meeting October 2-4, Regional Happy Hours, and more.

VADA Defense Line June 2019

President's Welcome

Welcome to the June Defense Line. Our recent Networking Happy Hours in Falls Church and Roanoke were great successes. Blue Ridge region members, save the date for our Regional Happy Hour August 8 at Zocalo. Don't miss this opportunity to network with VADA members and visit with old friends. Many thanks to our sponsors, Planet Depos, Exponent, and Detect. 

I am excited to announce that we have chosen Thai Nguyen as this year's VADA Diversity Scholarship recipient.  See the article below to learn more about this Regent University School of Law student. 

Don't forget you can keep up to date on recent rulings and decisions on the VADA Members-Only Facebook Page.  This is different from our VADA public Facebook page. Join the group here.  

I hope you have a relaxing summer.

John B. Mumford, Jr.
VADA President, 2018-19

Regional Happy Hours

Potomac Region

We had an awesome time at our Potomac Region Networking Happy Hour at Mad Fox Brewing Company! Many thanks, again, to our sponsors Planet Depos, Exponent, and Detect, Inc. Thanks, too, to all who attended!

Southwest Region

Many thanks to all who joined us for our Southwest Region Networking Happy Hour tonight at Billy’s! A hat tip to Gracemarie and Planet Depos for the great food and drink and for the awesome door prizes! Thanks, too, to Billy’s for being the perfect host.

Annual Meeting

Motions, Pleas, Demurrers, oh my! When a new lawsuit comes across defense counsel’s desk, a simple Answer denying the plaintiff’s allegations may not always be the only or best course of action. Is venue proper? Did the plaintiff allege the elements of a viable cause of action? Is the claim barred by the statute of limitations? Is there a document referenced in the Complaint of which you should crave oyer? This October, a powerhouse panel of attorneys and judges will guide you through key responsive pleadings available in both state and federal court and help you select the one(s) that may be most appropriate in your next case. VADA members, make plans today to join us October 2-4, 2019, at Hilton Norfolk The Main for our 2019 Annual Meeting! Registration and other details to follow soon. Hope to see you there!

Member Spotlight

An avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, this Tidewater member, last winter, put his love of computers to work building a PC from scratch with his son.  To find out more about this month’s VADA Spotlighted Member, please click here.

Diversity Scholarship

Thai Nguyen of Virginia Beach has been chosen as the 2019 VADA Diversity Scholarship recipient. Thai was born in Vietnam, but raised in Australia after his parents fled from Vietnam after he was born. He is a second-year law student at Regent University School of Law. Mr. Nguyen has participated in many Moot Court Competitions, and placed 4th out of 88 in the 1L Moot Court Competition. He earned his undergraduate degree at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, and has competed in international championship tournaments for both kickboxing and rugby. Congratulations, Thai!

Upcoming Events

June 13-14
Summer Party & Board Meeting, Virginia Beach

August 7
Paralegal Seminar, Richmond

August 8
Blue Ridge Happy Hour, Charlottesville

October 2-4
Annual Meeting, Norfolk

December 13
Young Laywers Boot Camp, Richmond

DRI Call for Nominees: Annual Professional Achievement and Service Awards

Do you have a colleague who deserves recognition for his or her professional contributions? DRI's Annual Professional Achievement and Service Awards celebrate and honor outstanding performance by state and local defense organizations, DRI law firms, and individual members. These awards aim to recognize individuals for their achievements on behalf of the defense bar and the civil justice system or their involvement in community and public service activities that have a positive effect on society at large. 

Please download a copy of the awards brochure and read how you can nominate a deserving individual or organization July 1, 2019. Winners will be announced at the Celebration of Leadership on Friday, October 18, held in conjunction with DRI's Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA from October 16-19, 2019.