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The independent voice of Virginia lawyers Nov. 24, 2017
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The VBA wishes you had a joyous Thanksgiving. We are thankful for you, our devoted members who contribute to furthering the VBA mission. Thank you for your continued support and involvement. Without you, the VBA could not accomplish so much every year. If you'd like, you can renew your membership now for 2018 online or by phone at 804-644-0041, Ext. 116.
This issue of The VBA Voice acknowledges the season of giving with an encouragement to participate in #GivingTuesday and to remember The VBA Foundation, if you haven't already, in your donation plans. There's much more in this issue, so read on!
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Join us December 5 to celebrate the grand opening of VBA on Main
An open house will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 5, at your professional hub. Come take a look at your Richmond office when you're away from the office. We look forward to seeing you. Let us know if you're coming by December 1, please.
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Take part in the #GivingTuesday movement
You can become part of a global effort to spread the thought behind Thanksgiving with a donation to The VBA Foundation. This nonprofit, tax-exmpt foundation supports the VBA's charitable and educational pursuits, including law school councils, pro bono programs and young lawyer projects. Giving Tuesday is Nov. 28 this year.
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Kathy Durdin (W&M '77) - "Revolutionaries - Fife and Drums," 2009. Watercolor on paper. The President's Collection of Art at The College of William & Mary, S-2017-01
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Annual Meeting is Jan. 18-20
Save the dates for the 128th winter gathering of the VBA, at the Williamsburg Lodge. Look for details coming soon at
vba.org/vbaannual2018 and
#vbaannual2018 and in your mailbox. Sponsors, exhibitors and program advertisers are encouraged to learn more and take part at
vba.org/reachlawyers.
While you have your calendar app open, you may wish to add these dates for future VBA Annual Meetings, also at the Williamsburg Lodge:
2019: Jan. 24-26
2020: Jan. 23-25
2021: Jan. 21-23
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Busy fall conference season winds down
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| Administrative Law Section Fall Free Ethics CLE |
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| White Collar Criminal Law Forum |
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Virginia Health Care Practitioners' Roundtable
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VBA live continuing legal education programs in October and November served nearly 550 attorneys. In addition to the pictured sessions above, the fall conference season included the Capital Defense
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YLD Fall Meeting
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Workshop, the Administrative Law Conference, the Virginia Tax Practitioners' Roundtable, and the Young Lawyers Division Fall Meeting. The YLD Fall Meeting CLE programs previewed the U.S. Supreme Court's 2017-2018 term, discussed how to avoid a bar complaint, and looked at the interplay of federal and Virginia regulatory systems related to alcohol.
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VBA video and podcast CLEs especially popular in fall
So far in 2017, interest in recorded continuing legal education programs presented by the VBA are up about 50 percent over this time last year.
VBA Online CLE makes obtaining your required education credits easy, and, what's even better is that VBA members always receive a discount. Look for even more ways to learn in 2018 when VBA on Main adds webinars for live distance learning.
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Young lawyers enjoy Northern Virginia golf outing
About 25 young lawyers attended a free, fun and casual golf and lunch outing at Topgolf Loudoun to promote VBA membership and active involvement in the Young Lawyers Division. Thanks go to sponsors Allred, Bacon, Halfhill & Young PC; Curran Moher Weis; Hogan Lovells; McCandlish Lillard; Miles & Stockbridge; and Redmon, Peyton & Braswell LLP.
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Regional contest in National Moot Court competition
Campbell Law School Team A took first place in the 2017 Moot Court Competition Region 4 contest coordinated by members of the VBA Young Lawyers Division. Wake Forest Law School finished second. The event took place Nov. 17-18 at the U.S. Court of Appeals - Fourth Circuit in Richmond. The national finals will be held at the New York City Bar Association from Jan. 29-Feb. 1.
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Upcoming events
DEC. 5 - VBA on Main Open House. RSVP by Dec. 1. See item above or go to
vba.org/openhouse.
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July Bar exam results show Regent, UVa with high results
More than 71 percent of all applicants taking the July bar exam in Virginia passed. That compares with just over 73 percent a year earlier, but is higher than the results in each 2015 and 2014. Students from Regent University and the University of Virginia had the highest pass rates in the most recent examination.
An admission and orientation ceremony before a special session of the Supreme Court of Virginia is scheduled for Dec. 6 in Richmond.
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2018 VBA membership rates
The VBA Finance Committee presented a membership dues increase, which was adopted by the VBA Board of Governors at its September meeting.
Lawyers in practice 6 or more years
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$300
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Lawyers in practice less than 6 years
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$225
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Lawyers in first year of practice
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FREE
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Government, public service, legal aid lawyers and judges
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$150
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Full-time law school faculty
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$150
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Fully retired, fully disabled
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$150
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Life Members, law students
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FREE
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Section memberships, which are in addition to VBA annual dues, are $25 each.
Dues renewal for the 2018 calendar year is now open. Renew in just a couple of clicks online (easy instructions make it a breeze). You can also pay by phone at 804-644-0041 Ext. 116. Invoices will be mailed in December.
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Insurance corner: Did you know?
Did you know that one in eight workers will be disabled for five or more years during their working careers*? Most of us insure our cars, our homes, our lives and even our health. Does it make sense to insure the biggest asset most of us own -- our ability to earn an income?
Disability income protection insurance helps to replace income if you become sick or injured and cannot work. Virginia Barristers Alliance, Inc. (VBAI), offers access to multiple disability income protection insurance carriers -- some of which even offer discounts! Contact VBAI or call 804-270-5128 to determine what coverage strategies may be appropriate for your planning needs.
*SOURCE: Commissioner's Disability Insurance Tables A and C
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Member news
W. Benjamin Pace, chair of the pro bono committee at Williams Mullen, received the John C. Kenney Pro Bono Award from the Bar Association of the City of Richmond. As chair of the firm's committee, Pace has led several pro bono housing and no-fault divorce training sessions and encouraged participants to accept cases. A partner at Williams Mullenin Richmond, he is the firm's representative to Firms in Service.
The Honorable
Wesley G. Marshall, chairman of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, is one of six recipients of the 2017 Frances Perkins Award. Given by the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, the honor recognizes commitment and achievement in reducing harm and aiding recovery of injured workers.
The Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEV) honored
Vandeventer Black LLP as Law Firm of the Year (Large Practice) for its outstanding contribution of time and resources in providing access to legal services for clients of LASEV.
William E. Franczek has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers for his dedication to excellence in the practice of construction law. He is a partner at Vandeventer Black LLP in Norfolk and a past member of the VBA Board of Governors.
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Welcome our newest members
Say hello to the 12 new or reactivating members who joined the VBA in October and September. Welcome!
Newest VBA members
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What are your views on lawyer well-being?
VBA President David S. Mercer strongly urges the membership to review an ABA task force report and a resolution by the Conference of Chief Justices about lawyer well-being. Then he requests that you share comments, suggestions or questions via a form provided on the VBA website. Your input will be used to develop the VBA's response on this subject, requested by Chief Justice Donald W. Lemons, who plans to appoint a committee to investigate and support well-being in Virginia.
Read the report and resolution and respond
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The Virginia Bar Association is the first and largest statewide voluntary bar for lawyers, judges and law professors.
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