Richmond Networking Reception next week; Register today for the Advanced Expert Workshop; welcome new VADA members; run in a friendly 5K challenge; and more.

VADA Defense Line February 2020

President's Welcome 

While the VADA can’t transform you into a NCAA basketball champion, the VADA can offer you tools to become a more skillful lawyer and to be of better service to your clients during the advent of March Madness. The month of March brings two new VADA events, both of which are designed to help you level up your performance. On March 13, 2020, by popular demand, a new CLE program will be offered. This is our Advanced Expert Witness Workshop at the University of Richmond Law School, starting at 1:00 p.m. While this is geared toward the more experienced practitioner, young lawyers are also welcome. The focus is on the best use and examination of a variety of experts in the fields of accident reconstruction, vocational rehabilitation, and engineering. The workshop will also include how to prepare and protect your experts from onerous discovery initiatives and examination by opposing counsel. The workshop will be followed by a first class networking reception. Please sign up here.

On March 21, 2020, the VADA joins with the VTLA in promoting wellness through exercise and self-care. This dovetails nicely into the VADA’s mission which is to assist Virginia attorneys in the professional and ethical representation of our clients through education, communication and fellowship. Mental and physical wellbeing are critical components in our ability to obtain good results, maintain civility with difficult opposing counsel, and handling the challenges of practicing law. Come join us as we compete against the VTLA in a 5k race in Richmond. The goal is to have fun and simply get moving either by walking, jogging, or running. Through physical fitness, good nutrition, and adequate sleep, we can perform at optimal levels and be better attorneys as a result. Please join us for some good old fashion fun, live music, food trucks, and the opportunity to socialize with friends and get to know members of the VTLA on a more personal level. Please sign up on Team VADA before prices increase at the end of February. Friends, family, staff, and all slowpokes are welcome! Points are awarded for the biggest team, the fastest team (the average of the ten fastest), and the team that brings the most canned goods to benefit FeedMore Richmond.

Melissa H. Katz
VADA President, 2019-20

2020 Capitol Region
VADA & ACC Networking Reception
February 27 at 5:30

Coming up next week!
Register today! Join the VADA and Richmond in-house colleagues from Association of Corporate Counsel National Capital Region Chapter for a fun night of food, beer and vintage arcade games at Slingshot Social Game Club in Scott’s Addition. The event is free, but an RSVP is appreciated.

The Journal of Civil Litigation

The 2019-20 Winter edition of the Journal of Civil Litigation is hot off the presses. In it, you will find:

• Justin S. Feinman of Williams Mullen discussing the successor liability defense in product liability claims.
• Esther King of McClandish Holton writing on the definition of a “statutory employer” under the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act.
• Justin Simmons of Woods Rogers PLC examining cases in which Virginia courts have found a “special relationship” between a plaintiff and defendant such that the defendant has a duty to protect the plaintiff from the criminal acts of third parties.
• Melissa Y. York of Harman Claytor Corrigan and Wellman breaking down Fourth Circuit sexual harassment law in the #MeToo generation.
• Fifteen collected opinions on a range of topics and a welcome to our new VADA Members.

The Journal is truly one of the biggest benefits of being a VADA member. Our Journal is the envy of other state defense organizations, most of whom do not have anything like it.

The Board and staff of the VADA would like to recognize those individuals who make the Journal possible:

• Kent Sinclair, Editor-in-Chief
• Molly Terry, Managing Editor
• John D. Eure, Chair of the Board of Editors
• All of the members of the Board of Editors

Did you know?

The Journal is also available on-line on our members-only area of our website, and VADA members can do a keyword search of past issues.

Advanced Expert Witness Workshop

March 13, 1:00 - 6:00 PM
University of Richmond
School of Law

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS THIS FRIDAY!

While this new program is designed for the more experienced practitioner, new lawyers will also find the program rewarding as the workshop tackles issues involving multiple types of experts which surface in personal injury and property damage cases.  We have an excellent panel of speakers and experts lined up to share valuable knowledge, insight, trial practice pointers and personal experience regarding handling some difficult issues involving expert witnesses. Registration is open and we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible before the registration price increases Friday, February 22.

Visit the meeting website to see the jam-packed agenda which includes a first-class reception where you can share war stories, network, and/or enjoy some camaraderie with your colleagues and our sponsors.

February 27
Capitol Region Happy Hour
Slingshot Social Club

March 13
Advanced Expert Witness Workshop
University of Richmond

March 21
HCA Sports Med 5K
Richmond

April 3
VADA Board Meeting
Richmond

April 23
Southwest Region Happy Hour
Stellina

May 13-15
Spring Sections Seminar
Hotel Madison (NEW LOCATION)

May 20
Potomac Region Happy Hour
Location TBD

June 19
VADA Board Meeting
Virginia Beach

Member Spotlight

This VADA Past President and Knoxville, Tennessee, native has a true appreciation for the finer things in life. Among his many favorites are Southern style sweet tea (with lemon), Led Zeppelin, and his 2000 ¾ ton Chevy 4WD pickup. To learn more about this month’s VADA Spotlighted Member, click here.

VADA continues active bill monitoring of interest to our members. The General Assembly is now in crossover of bills. HB127/SB285 creating a cause of action for bystanders witnessing injury or death to a third party has been carried over to the next session. HB759 and SB375, both seeking limits to strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) have passed the Senate and House for crossover. SB27 regarding UIM/UM bad faith amendment was passed over to the next session. HB617 to make cumulative trauma work injuries compensable has been referred for an impact study and recommendations. HB1359 permitting amendment of claim in circuit court for transfer to general district court without dismissal or nonsuit has been passed by the House. The Senate passed SB664 which increases the minimum motor vehicle coverage limit to $35,000.

Wellness Initiative

Interested in serving your community, getting in shape, competing against the VTLA and/or simply having fun with your colleagues, family and friends? Then sign up for the 3rd Annual HCA VA Sports Med 5k. All runners, joggers and walkers are welcome! Sign up on the VADA TEAM for only $25.00, before the registration fee goes up on February 29 !

The race is on Saturday, March 21, 2020 in Richmond, with a start time of 9:30 a.m. VADA and VTLA are gold sponsors of this race and part of the Wellness Initiative to get attorneys moving. The race further benefits and serves the community as all proceeds from this event will benefit FeedMore Richmond, a charity dedicated to providing food to the homeless.

John Cornett
PennStuart

Anthony Cottone
Byrne Legal Group

Raymond Escobar
Woods Rogers

Matthew Joss
Herbert & Satterwhite

Kendra Prince
PennSuart

Kimberly Raab
Sinnott Nuckols and Logan

Robert Reverski
Midkiff, Muncie & Ross

Jonathan Rochkind
Carluzzo Rochkind and Smith

Jodi Terranova
Wilson Elser

Connor Thompson
Harman Claytor Corrigan Wellman

Glenn Williams
Frith Anderson & Peake

Christopher Williams
Williams, Negler, Verser & Lane

We welcome you 
to the VADA family!

2019-20 Executive Committee

From left to right: Jason Moyers, Treasurer; Tate Love, President-Elect; Melissa Katz, President; Julie Palmer, Secretary; and John Mumford, Immediate Past President.

Next month, you'll meet your Regional Directors.

VADA expresses our sympathy to the family, friends, and colleagues of VADA member and McCandlish Holton director, Michael Ward, who passed away in January. To read his obituary, please click here.

VADA’S Mission

The mission of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys is to assist Virginia attorneys in the professional and ethical representation of their clients in civil litigation through education, communication and fellowship.