Trial Tactics Workshop Registration Opens, Meet the New Board, and more... 

VADA Defense Line
December 2023

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

Season’s Greetings as we wrap up another great year for VADA.  During the holidays, I hope that you are all setting aside some time at a slower speed to enjoy close friends and loved ones whether it’s for a holiday gathering, family reunion, or simply college football.  We spend so much time with the members of our legal community, and it is truly special to share recollections of the past year and the promises of a new one with the people closest to us.

One thing that is always an issue is when will our law offices be closed during the holidays.  Staff and lawyers alike want to be able to make plans.  In 2000-2001, while I was a youthful associate, Furniss, Davis faced the same dilemma, so during lunch the partners came up with a plan that worked for those two years, and it is memorialized on “The Plate.”  Long story short, the plate says that when Christmas is on Monday or Tuesday, we close both of those days, but it falls apart when Christmas is on Wednesday.  Not surprisingly, we don’t see the Plate very much those years. The Plate still governs holiday closure policy to this day and is in the custody of our firm receptionist who has been with us almost as long as the senior partner.  Please forgive any grammatical errors, it is a plate after all.

In January we will be having the VADA annual Lobby Day.  We are finalizing the date and will have more information available soon!  Please reach out to Patrick O’Grady and Megan Wagner of the Legislative Committee with any questions or insight.

In the coming months, we have more fantastic VADA events planned.  On March 15 and 16, we have our Trial Tactics Workshop for Young Lawyers at the University of Richmond Jepson Alumni Center.  It promises to be a great experience for all involved, so young lawyers be on the lookout for registration information in the coming weeks.  Those of you with trial experience, please consider signing up as a coach for the trial teams.  It truly is a rewarding experience!

From May 1-3 we will have our Spring Sections Seminar at the Virginian Hotel in Lynchburg.  It is our first time at this Venue, so it promises to be an exciting time.

This summer, we will also be hosting the virtual Paralegal Seminar and regional meet-ups.  Keep your eye on your inbox and the VADA Events tab!

Lastly, there is still time to enter the drawing for our STARBUCK’S GIFT CARD by sending a picture of you with one of our friends from the plaintiff’s bar.  Our drawing will be at the January Board Meeting.

Have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and prosperous New Year! 

James A. Cales III
VADA President 2023-24 

March 15-16, 2024
Jepson Alumni Center
University of Richmond

Join our two-day mock trial, where the first 16 registered attorneys will be assigned as co-counsel for the plaintiff or defendant. The attorney slots fill fast, and the remaining registrants will play expert witnesses and provide feedback. Coaching, ahead of the event and on-site, will be provided by experienced members of the defense bar. Virginia judges will preside and provide constructive feedback throughout the trial.

Registration includes case file, all written materials, networking reception, continental breakfast, & box lunch. 

The attorney slots fill fast, so register now!

May 1-3, 2024
The Virginian Hotel
Lynchburg

After experiencing the largest single-year turnover during modern times, the Virginia General Assembly will be quite different when the 2024 legislative session convenes next month. In addition to a Democratic majority in both chambers, committee leadership will be among the top changes for next year, influencing legislative priorities and outcomes.  

Senate Democrats have assigned committee chairs for all standing committees. Seven of the current chairs will not be returning for the 2024 legislative session. Of the remaining incumbents, there have been changes within committee leadership. Most notably, Senator Louise Lucas, the long-time Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, will now chair the Senate Finance Committee in place of outgoing Senators Janet Howell and George Barker. Additionally, Senator Creigh Deeds will move from co-chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee to chairing the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee in place of retiring Senator Richard Saslaw. The newly elected Senate Majority Leader, Senator Scott Surovell, will be the new Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Meanwhile in the House, all committee chairs will be different, as Democrats flipped the chamber. Several delegates who chaired committees during the Democratic majority in 2020 and 2021 will be returning to their roles in January – but a few committees will have new leadership for the new session. At this time, all committees have been assigned chairs. Delegate Luke Torian will once again chair the Appropriations Committee, while Delegate Patrick Hope will assume the new role as chair of the Courts of Justice Committee.

The 2024 session begins on January 10. 

Stay tuned for details about a Women’s Section event on the Thursday evening of the Spring Meeting (May 2, 2024) in Lynchburg.  

If you are interested in joining the Women's Section email listserv, please reach out to Amy Gilbody.  In the meantime, stay tuned for updates on next events!

Be sure to bookmark VADA Upcoming Events so you don't miss out.

2024

March 15-16
Trial Tactics Workshop
University of Richmond

May 1-3
Spring Sections Seminar
The Virginian, Lynchburg

October 23-25
Annual Meeting
Kingsmill, Williamsburg

This William & Mary alum and VADA Past President has come a long way from his days as The Frappe Dude.  His advice to new lawyers?  Follow the Golden Rule and get involved!  For this and much more on this month's VADA Spotlighted Member, click here.

Missed A Webinar
or Meeting?

Did you know that many VADA Lunch & Learn webinars and online programs are available to watch on-demand? Click here to see the library of available content, which can be found in the members-only area of our website.

Introducing the following additional members of VADA's Board of Directors for 2023-24! Beginning in the top row, from left to right, are: Director Emeritus, Lauren Darden of Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC in Harrisonburg; Director Emeritus, Audra Dickens of The Progressive Group in Richmond; DRI State Representative, Past President John Mumford, Jr., of Hancock, Daniel & Johnson, P.C., in Richmond; Young Lawyers Chair, Sarah Knarzer of McCandlish Holton, PC, in Richmond; and Legislative Chair, Patrick O'Grady of Thomas, Thomas & Hafer, LLP, in Midlothian.

We thank each of you for your leadership and your service to VADA!

Please welcome our newest VADA members!

Lucas Beasey
PennStuart

Emily Chowhan
Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black

Amy Chudzinski
Babcock & Moore

Kayla Foit
Wilcox & Savage

Jessica Rooke
Sands Anderson

Join our social media sites where we post current court updates, relevant legal developments, and much, much more!  

VADA’S Mission

The mission of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys is to develop and support Virginia attorneys engaged in a civil defense practice in the professional and ethical representation of their clients through education, communication and fellowship.

Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
11533 Busy Street, #327
N. Chesterfield, VA  23236
804-649-1002 | www.vada.org

Executive Director: Sherma Mather
Director of Meetings: Amy Gilbody
Journal of Civil Litigation Managing Editor: Molly Terry

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