Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys upcoming events

2026 Spring Sections Seminar (29 Apr 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:00:00 GMT

New Meeting Format This Year

This year, we are introducing a new format for the Spring Meeting. Instead of section breakouts, we will host plenary sessions organized by section chairs, featuring topics of broad interest to our membership. Medical malpractice section members will still have the option to attend breakout sessions on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

Agenda

Approved for 9.0 HRS CLE (1.0 Ethics)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

6:00 PM — Welcome Reception

7:30 PM — Dine Around Dinners

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

8:00–9:00 AM — Breakfast & Registration

9:00–10:00 AM — 2026 Legislative Updates (Organized by Legislative Committee)

10:00–11:00 AM — Advanced Removal Strategy: Winning the Fight Over Federal Jurisdiction (Organized by Policy Coverage)
(Note: this session has moved from 3:15 PM)

11:00-11:15 AM — Break

11:15–12:15 PM — Is Your Indemnification Provision Enforceable? Applying Virginia Code § 11-4.1, 1.0 HR (Organized by Corporate & Commercial Lit.)

12:15-2:00 PM — Lunch and Work Break

2:00–3:00 PM — Court of Appeals Update: Reflections on the Brave New World of the Right of Civil Appeals (Organized by Appellate Advocacy)

3:00-3:15 PM — Break

Attend either the General Sessions or Medical Malpractice

GENERAL SESSIONS

3:15–4:15 PM — Study of Recent Sovereign Immunity Cases (Organized by Local Government)
(Note: this session has moved from 10:00 AM)

4:15–5:15 PM — Right to Repair Laws (Organized by Products & Toxic Torts)

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE (PART 1)

3:15 -4:15 PM — Defending the Medicine: Translating Complex Care for Virginia Juries - A Trial and Carrier Perspective

4:15-5:15 PM — What Modern Trial Teams Are Doing Differently

5:15–6:30 PM — Networking Reception

6:30–9:00 PM — Dinner on Your Own

6:30-9:00 PM — Optional Women’s Section Dinner

9:00–10:30 PM — Late Night

FRIDAY, MAY 1

8:00–9:00 AM — Breakfast

Attend either the General Sessions or Medical Malpractice

GENERAL SESSIONS

9:00–10:00 AM — The "Empty Chair" Superseding Causation Defense (Organized by Auto & Transportation)

10:00–11:00 AM — The Requirements for a Willful Misconduct Defense to Workers' Compensation Claims (Organized by Workers’ Compensation)

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE (PART 2)

9:00–10:00 AM — Defending Against Claimed Violations of the Consumer Protection Act

10:00-11:00 AM — Strategies for Undermining Plaintiffs' Claims for Past and Future Medical Expenses

11:00-11:20 PM — Box Lunches Available

11:20-11:30 PM — Wellness Minute & Raffle Winner Announced

11:30–12:30PM — How to Avoid Conflict of Interest Malpractice Missteps (Organized by Professional Liability, 1.0 HR ETHICS)

12:30 PM — Adjourn

FULL AGENDA

Registration

The registration fee for the entire seminar is $395, and includes all sessions, breakfasts, lunches, receptions, late night, and written materials. Cancellations accepted until April 15, but substitutions are welcome anytime.

New members, registration includes your first-year membership in VADA. No membership bill sent until 2027. Contact Sherma Mather at smather@vada.org for details.

Guests are invited to join us for the Thursday Networking Reception for a $75 fee, and you can add this on your registration form.

Dine Around Dinners

Enjoy dinner Wednesday while networking with new or long-time VADA friends. Review the available slots and choose a group reservation to join. Your host is listed in parentheses.

It is Dutch-treat, with each participant paying for their own meal. Space is limited to sign up now. If your plans change, please edit your Sign Up, or contact your meal host listed.

Hotel

The Virginian Hotel
Lynchburg

Our discounted room block is sold out.

While the room block at The Virginian is sold out, accommodations may still be available at the hotel at the prevailing retail rate, as well as at nearby hotels and short-term rental properties.

Women's Section Dinner

The Women’s Section will be hosting a fun and relaxing candle workshop! Create your own custom candle while enjoying a warm, social atmosphere. The evening includes delicious food, wine, and a selection of other beverages.

The event will be at the hotel, and the fee is $40 and it can be added to your registration.

Come unwind, get creative, and connect with great company!

Please Note:
This candle‑making class uses a coconut/apricot wax blend. If you have a coconut allergy, apricot allergy, or any related sensitivities, please do not register for this class or consult your healthcare provider before participating

Wellness Committee

The Wellness Committee will raffle off a basket, sponsored by S-E-A, with of a variety of health and wellness items. Stop by the S-E-A table before Friday to add your name to the raffle. The committee will pull the winner at 11:00 AM Friday and will also offer a Wellness Minute before our closing session.

Sponsors

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

Potomac Regional Networking Reception (12 May 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Join us for an evening of networking at Solace Outpost in Falls Church. Drinks, snacks, and exciting raffle prizes provided by our sponsor, Planet Depos. For an extra raffle ticket, bring a colleague who is not yet a VADA member.

The event is free for members and potential members, but registration is requested.

Southwest Region Networking Reception (24 Jun 2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Join us for an evening of networking and fun with fellow VADA members. Drinks, snacks, and exciting raffle prizes provided by our sponsors, Planet Depos. For an extra raffle ticket, bring a colleague who is not yet a VADA member.

Registration is free for VADA members and potential members, but RSVPs are requested.

2026 Paralegal Seminar (10 Sep 2026)

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:00:00 GMT

We will meet in the Short Pump 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.

We will offer a different agenda than last year, so plan to attend again.

Draft Agenda

Coming Soon

Sponsors

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

2026 Annual Meeting (21 Oct 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

2026 Annual Meeting
Hotel Roanoke

Further information will be posted in 2026.

VADA VTLA Ethics Webinar (28 Oct 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Information coming summer 2026

2026 Young Lawyers Boot Camp (04 Dec 2026)

Fri, 04 Dec 2026 14:00:00 GMT

SPONSORED BY THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION
This is a must-attend event for newer attorneys, who will learn the practical information needed to practice civil defense law. Sessions are taught by experienced members of the civil defense bar and the judiciary. We are offering a different agenda than 2024, so you should attend again.

Agenda

REQUESTING 6.5 HRS (1.0 HR ETHICS)

9:30-10:30 Navigating Your Way through Virginia General District and Circuit Courts and other Practical Tips in Civil Litigation

Lindsay Rollins, The Progressive Group, VADA Immediate Past President

10:30-11:30 The Survivor's Guide to Expert Witnesses

John Dunnigan, Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman, VADA Board Member
Andy Southerland, M.D., Department of Neurology, University of Virginia

11:45-12:45 Ethical Issues in Civil Defense Practice (1.0 HR Ethics)

B. Patrick O'Grady, Thomas, Thomas & Hafer

12:45-1:15 Box Lunch

1:15-2:15 Effective Advocacy in Mediation

The Honorable Beverly Snukals (Ret.), The McCammon Group

2:30-3:15 Written Discovery

Taylor Brewer, Moran Reeves Conn, VADA President-Elect
Tracy Taylor Hague, Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black

3:15-4:00 Insurance Coverage in Automobile Cases

Donald E. Morris, Law Offices of Donald E. Morris

4:15-5:15 Judicial Advice for New Lawyers Panel Discussion

Hon. Richard E. Moore (Ret.), Charlottesville Circuit Court
Hon. Matt Quatrara, Albemarle General District Court
Moderator: Rachel Horvath, Piedmont Liability Trust, VADA President

5:15 Optional Virginia Museum of History and Culture First Fridays Event

Enjoy free admission to the galleries, specials in the Café, Holiday Makers Market, access to food trucks, and live music. Each participant will receive two drink tickets.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL AGENDA

Sponsors

To learn about meeting sponsorship, contact Amy Gilbody at agilbody@vada.org.

2027 Spring Sections Seminar (05 May 2027)

Wed, 05 May 2027 22:00:00 GMT

Agenda

Coming Soon

Registration

Coming Soon

Hotel

Hotel 24 South
Staunton

Sponsors

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

2027 Annual Meeting (06 Oct 2027)

Wed, 06 Oct 2027 22:00:00 GMT

2027 Annual Meeting
Marriott Resort Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Further information will be posted in 2027.

2028 Annual Meeting (11 Oct 2028)

Wed, 11 Oct 2028 22:00:00 GMT

2028 Annual Meeting

Further information will be posted in 2028