Join VADA:

Thank you for your interest in the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys. We are a voluntary bar association comprised of over 850 attorneys whose practice is primarily focused on the defense of civil actions.

An Online Application, can be completed and returned to us through this website. The application also contains the eligibility stipulations. First year membership dues are $150. Please read on to learn about the publications and programs members of the Association enjoy.

Our principal publication, The Journal of Civil Litigation, is published four times a year. Each edition contains an interesting selection of in-depth articles, as well as summaries of trial court decisions not readily available from other sources. Non-members may subscribe to the Journal for an annual subscription rate of $100.00.

Our Annual Meeting is held in October at various locations across the state. 2008 marks the 40th Anniversary of the founding of this Association. Our celebration of this milestone will take place concurrently with our Annual Meeting set for October 29 - 31 at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. This gathering gives our members the chance to meet and discuss topics of mutual interest and enjoy the camaraderie of our group.

Special seminars are also presented for the benefit of lawyers new to the defense bar. For example, the annual "Right Start Seminar" is held each year in early December. This one-day seminar is designed to provide practical, everyday-type information to young attorneys. The legislative interests of VADA are represented before the Virginia General Assembly by our lobbyist, Ben Lacy. Together with the Association's Legislative Committee, procedural matters relating to the defense of civil litigation are monitored. Concentration on specific substantive issues is also actively pursued where not covered by business and insurance interests.

Members of VADA have the option of joining one (or more) substantive law sections:

• Auto & Premises Liability
• Employment & Business Law
• Environmental & Toxic Torts
• Medical Malpractice
• Policy Coverage
• Product Liability
• Workers' Compensation
• Young Lawyers Division

These sections offer an excellent opportunity for the exchange of ideas among the members. Special list serves have been set up for the section members on this website in the "members only" area.

Further information about our CLE offerings, samples of our publications, and questions can be directed to the Executive Director, Mrs. Leigh Farmer, at the offices of the VADA, 707 E. Main Street, Suite 1050, Richmond VA 23219 OR by phone on 804/649-1002