VADA Lobby Day February 4, Judicial Advice Lunch & Learn, Deposition Workshop, and more. |
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VADA Defense Line
January 2026
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We are excited to share that the VADA Board recently approved several changes for the association's plans for the year ahead.
- Deposition Workshop: The Deposition Workshop has been condensed into a one-day program, preserving key elements such as the mock deposition while allowing participants to maintain their weekend plans. We have also added an optional off-site happy hour at the end of the workshop.
- Spring Meeting: 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 that focus on topics of broad interest to our membership. Medical Malpractice section members will continue to have the option to attend breakout sessions on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Plenary programming will include a legislative update and an appellate court update featuring three Court of Appeals judges. Additionally, due to their popularity, we are pleased to introduce dine-arounds at the Spring Meeting this year.
- Paralegal Seminar: This year’s paralegal seminar will be held in person, offering enhanced networking opportunities for attendees.
- Annual Meeting: Based on positive feedback from the past two Annual Meetings, we will continue the bench-bar reception on Thursday evening in place of the traditional judges’ breakfast. Additionally, we have added a legislative update to the meeting to brief our members on the upcoming General Assembly session.
- Summer Party: After careful consideration, we have decided to discontinue the summer party due to declining attendance. We believe these resources can be better allocated to other programming.
- Lobbying Efforts: We have renewed our contract with Seven Hills Strategy Group to strengthen our presence in the General Assembly. We will also host another lobby day and cocktail reception for members of the General Assembly and encourage you to participate in these efforts to help amplify our voice.
- Board Meetings: The board meeting schedule has been adjusted. The April board meeting will now take place on the Wednesday of the Spring Meeting, and the summer meeting will be held via Zoom.
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We are gearing up for an impactful legislative session and invite you to join us for VADA Lobby Day and Legislative Reception on February 4.
We will spend the day in meetings with legislators, visit the gallery during the General Assembly session, and end the day with a Legislative Reception, where we will enjoy beverages, appetizers, and banter regarding legislative initiatives impacting the defense bar. Click here for the reception invitation.
You can attend for as much of the day as your schedule allows. |
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Judicial Advice for New Lawyers
1.0 CLE HR Approved
February 18
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Speakers
Hon. Richard E. Moore (Ret.)
Charlottesville Circuit Court
Hon. Matt Quatrara
Albemarle General District Court
Moderator: Rachel Horvath, VADA President
Piedmont Liability Trust Join us for this free webinar, designed for newer attorneys, but open to all members.
The judges will explain pre-trial matters such as scheduling orders, pre-trial motions, discovery issues and pre-trial conference and settlement conferences. Next, they will discuss brief writing, including filing deadlines and suggestions for formatting. Then, they will discuss parts of trial including voir dire, opening statements, direct and cross, motions to strike, jury instructions and closing. Finally, they will explore post-trial motions, miscellaneous trial issues and offer specific tips for young lawyers. |
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March 6
Jepson Alumni Center
The University of Richmond
New This Year: No Saturday Programming
The workshop has been condensed into a one-day program, retaining key highlights such as the mock deposition, while allowing participants to keep their weekend plans intact.
This workshop will teach you the skills needed to prepare your witness; depose medical experts; take remote depositions; handle difficult depositions; and more!
Using a NITA case file, the afternoon will be spent in four-person breakouts in which the attorneys will play the parts of defense attorney, plaintiffs’ attorney, witness and observer. At each stage of the depositions, senior coach-attorneys will critique performances and suggest approaches to use. |
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April 29 - May 1
The Virginian Hotel
Lynchburg
New Meeting Format for 2026
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. Plenary topics will include a legislative update and an appellate court update, featuring two Court of Appeals judges. Additionally, due to the success of our dine-arounds, we are excited to include them in the Spring Meeting this year.
Watch your email for further details. |
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We are actively in Dues Renewal season! Please check with
Executive Director Sherma Mather at smather@vada.org
to verify if you have renewed your membership yet! |
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Vincenzo Chiariello
Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman
Emily Hurley
O’HaganMeyer Kyle Lang
Frith Anderson + Peake
Andrew Scalzo
Carter & Shands Caroline Stanley
Frith Anderson + Peake Nicholas Stoll
Byrne Canaan Law |
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Introducing the following additional members of VADA's Board of Directors for 2025-26! Beginning in the top left are: Director Emeritus, Darlene Bradberry of the Newport News City Attorney’s Office; Director Emeritus, Anna Zick of McGavin, Boyce, Bardot, Thorsen & Katz; DRI State Representative, VADA Past President John Mumford, Jr., of Hancock, Daniel & Johnson; Young Lawyers Chair, Rebecca Roberts of Moran Reeves Conn; and Legislative Chair, Megan Wagner of KPM Law. Our thanks to each of you for your service and your leadership! |
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This Brooklyn, New York, native and self-described child of the ’80s loves travel, college sports, and spending time with his family. Among his many accomplishments, the perfect soft serve cone. For this, and more, on this month’s VADA Spotlighted Member, click here. |
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The Women’s Section is preparing for another great dinner
at the Spring Meeting. We are also planning a virtual lunch and learn for the
spring. – Phylicia Preston & Ren Klinovskiy |
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Join our social media sites where we post current court updates, relevant legal developments, and much, much more!
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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. |
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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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