HomeReturn to event webpage >
Jump to session descriptions >
Thursday, Jan. 22
| 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | VBA Leadership Academy |
| Noon-4:30 p.m. | VBA Board of Governors Meeting & Luncheon |
| 2:00-6:30 p.m. | Registration Desk Open |
| 2:00-6:30 p.m. | Banquet Seating Sign-Up Desk Open |
| 2:00-6:00 p.m. | Exhibits Open |
| 6:00-7:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
| 7:30-9:00 p.m. | YLD Welcome Party at Precarious Beer Project |
Friday, Jan. 23
| 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Registration Desk Open |
| 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Banquet Seating Sign-Up Desk Open |
| 7:30-9:00 a.m. | Breakfast Buffet |
| 7:45-8:45 a.m. | Section Business Meetings |
| 7:45-8:45 a.m. | VBA Past Presidents Council Breakfast |
| 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Exhibits Open |
| 9:00-10:00 a.m. | 3 CONCURRENT CLE PROGRAMS (CLE: 60 min) |
| 10:00-10:15 a.m. | Snack Break with Exhibitors |
| 10:15-11:45 a.m. | KEYNOTE (CLE: 90 min) |
| 12:00-1:15 p.m. | VBA YLD Business Meeting and Luncheon with Judges |
| 12:00-1:15 p.m. | Baliles Legacy Series Program & Luncheon |
| 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Attorney Hero Lunch & Learn |
| 1:30-2:30 p.m. | 4 CONCURRENT CLE PROGRAMS (CLE: 60 min) |
| 2:30-2:45 p.m. | Snack Break with Exhibitors |
| 2:45-4:15 p.m. | 2 CONCURRENT CLE PROGRAMS (CLE: 90 min) |
| 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Reception (black-tie optional) |
| 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Banquet (black-tie optional) |
| 9:30-11:00 p.m. | Move & Mingle After-Dinner Social |
Saturday, Jan. 24
| 7:30 a.m.-Noon | Registration Desk Open |
| 8:00-9:15 a.m. | Annual Business Meeting and Breakfast Buffet |
| 8:00 a.m.-Noon | Exhibits Open |
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | 3 CONCURRENT CLE PROGRAMS (CLE: 60 min) |
| 10:45-11:45 a.m. | GENERAL SESSION (CLE: 60 min.) |
| Noon-1:00 p.m. | A Warm Send-Off: Cider, Cocoa & Coffee |
Return to event webpage >
CLE Programs - 7.0 (2.0 Ethics, 1.0 Well-Being) Approved
Friday, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. - Concurrent CLEs
A House of Cards: Real Estate Hazards in Divorce
Presented by the VBA Domestic Relations Section
MCLE credits: 1.0 (0.0 Ethics) Approved
Divorce and real estate can be a tricky mix. Learn how to advise clients on the sale or retention of real property and how to protect them from costly tax traps and drafting errors. Explore practical solutions for property division, review current case law and consider best practices.
Medical Aid in Dying: Legislative and Litigation Update
Presented by the VBA Health Law Section
MCLE credits: 1.0 (0.0 Ethics) Approved
Terminally ill adults in some states may access medical aid in dying, an issue that touches every aspect of the core tenets of health care law. This session explores the legal framework and ongoing policy debate around the practice with particular emphasis on the legislative status in Virginia.
How Did I Do It? Paths to Firm and Bar Leadership
Presented by the VBA Lawyer Development Council
No CLE credit offered
This session offers insight on what it takes to lead: mentorship, networking, building a personal brand and more. Law firm and bar association leaders share candid advice on cultivating leadership skills, building relationships and seizing opportunities they encountered on their own paths.
Friday, 10:15 - 11:45 a.m. - Keynote
Meeting Fatigue? How to Master Meetings and Make Them Count
MCLE credits: 1.5 (0.0 Ethics) Approved
What if your next meeting were the one everybody was eager to attend? Learn how to spark engagement, tackle tough questions, and guide collaboration—whether you're the leader or not. Learn how to transform every meeting into a results-driven success.
To get started, take a free leadership assessment
Friday, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. - Concurrent CLEs
What Trial Lawyers Need to Know About Virginia Appeals
Presented by the VBA Appellate Practice Section
MCLE credits: 1.0 (0.0 Ethics) Approved
All trial lawyers want to win their cases but knowing how to set the stage for an appeal is critical, too. This program highlights preservation rules, record-building and procedural musts that a trial lawyer should consider to give your case the best chance of success on appeal to the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Managing Compassion Fatigue in the Legal Profession
Presented by the VBA Lawyer Development Council
MCLE credits: 1.0 (1.0 Ethics, 1.0 Well-Being) Approved
Compassion fatigue for lawyers is real, as stress levels can run high and cases can be emotionally taxing. Learn how to restore balance, maintain empathy and sustain well-being. By protecting your energy, you can navigate stressful, demanding work and still thrive both personally and professionally.
The Statute on Bad-Faith Refusal to Settle After One Year
Presented by the VBA Maritime & Transportation Law Section
MCLE credits: 1.0 (0.0 Ethics) Approved
Insurance companies can face a statutory claim for bad-faith refusal to settle underinsured motorist claims, under a new law passed in 2024. This session reviews what constitutes bad faith under the new statute, the remedies it provides and emerging case strategies from the law’s first year on the road.
A Tale of Three Trusts
Presented by the VBA Wills, Trusts & Estates Section
MCLE credits: 1.0 (0.0 Ethics) Approved
Trusts come in many forms, but the three most common in estate planning discussions are testamentary, revocable and irrevocable trusts. This session outlines key differences among them, common use cases for each and their benefits under Virginia law.
Friday, 2:45 - 4:15 p.m. - Concurrent CLEs
Shedding Light on the High Court's "Shadow Docket"
Presented by the VBA Appellate Practice Section
MCLE credits: 1.5 (0.0 Ethics) Approved
One of today’s most-discussed judicial tools, the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial “shadow docket” draws increasing headlines and debate. What is it, exactly, and why does it matter? This session demystifies the docket’s origins, purpose and impact.
An AI Checklist for Law Firms and What's Next
Presented by the VBA Task Force on Artificial Intelligence
MCLE credits: 1.5 (0.0 Ethics) Approved
This session offers a practical checklist to guide law firms through comparing and adopting the right AI tools for their practices, with a special emphasis on compliance in the rapidly changing AI landscape.
Saturday, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. - Concurrent CLEs
Special Ed Pro Bono Work Made Accessible
Presented by the VBA Elder Law & Special Needs Section, Pro Bono Council, Commission on the Needs of Children
MCLE credits: 1.0 (0.5 Ethics) Approved
Not all pro bono work requires litigation. Learn how limited-scope representation in special education cases empowers lawyers, benefits families and builds essential skills. Discover practical opportunities, ethical pathways and the life-changing impact of this work on children and families.
Exiting with Integrity: The Ethics of Leaving a Law Firm
Presented by the VBA Lawyer Development Council
MCLE credits: 1.0 (1.0 Ethics) Approved
Leaving a law firm is a pivotal career decision, and it comes with both ethical and practical challenges. This session offers guidance and best practices to protect clients, yourself and firms while you maintain relationships and uphold professional standards in your transition.
Leading Your Law Practice to Embrace Artificial Intelligence
Presented by the VBA Law Practice Management Division
MCLE credits: 1.0 (0.0 Ethics) Approved
Implementing artificial intelligence in law firms requires strong leadership. From compliance structures to policy development, pilot programs to possible use cases, this session surveys a range of AI topics through a leadership lens to help you show your firm how to benefit from AI.
Saturday, 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. - General Session
Review of 2025 Decisions from Virginia Circuit Courts
MCLE credits: 1.0 (0.0 Ethics) Approved
This new program completes the VBA’s annual case review series, joining the annual review of Supreme Court civil decisions and the recently added review of Court of Appeals decisions. The session will highlight key opinions produced by Circuit Court judges across Virginia.