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2018 SESSION

18107141D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 104
Offered February 26, 2018
Commending the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys.
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Patrons-- Bourne, Adams, D.M., Bagby, Boysko, Cole, Convirs-Fowler, Delaney, Habeeb, Heretick, Hope, Hurst, Jones, J.C., Krizek, Levine, Lindsey, Price, Rasoul, Sullivan, Thomas, Turpin and VanValkenburg
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WHEREAS, the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, a professional organization that has served as a valuable source of educational opportunities, information sharing, and fellowship for attorneys in the Commonwealth, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (VADA) was founded on September 11, 1968, and held its first organizational meeting later that same year; today, the organization includes more than 700 members whose litigation is focused primarily on the defense of civil actions; and

WHEREAS, one of the VADA’s central missions is to act as an advocate for members of the defense bar; along with working to create a level playing field between plaintiffs and defendants in the justice system, the organization actively tracks issues that affect the legal defense community and occasionally files amicus briefs with the Supreme Court of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, among many other educational resources, the VADA runs a “Young Lawyers Boot Camp” for new attorneys and hosts rotating workshops on trial tactics, deposition, and mediation; these include information sessions as well as mock trials where lawyers receive critiques and advice from senior attorneys; and

WHEREAS, the VADA maintains several substantive law sections whose members exchange ideas and information; it also hosts in-person and telephone seminars on a wide range of topics, including trial ethics; and

WHEREAS, along with an annual meeting each October, the VADA holds informal regional meetings throughout the year where members can gather to network and share information about recent legal developments in their area and across the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the VADA’s primary publication for its members is the Journal of Civil Litigation, which is released four times a year and includes scholarly articles as well as summaries of trial court decisions; and

WHEREAS, since 1994, the VADA has awarded its Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys’ Award for Excellence in Civil Litigation each year to an attorney who has maintained exemplary ethics and conduct while producing high quality work; beginning in 2016, the organization also joined the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA) in jointly awarding the VADA-VTLA Civility and Professionalism Award; and

WHEREAS, throughout its long and distinguished history, the VADA has been steadfast in its mission to aid Virginia attorneys and promote fairness, ethical practices, and integrity in civil justice; and

WHEREAS, the VADA will celebrate its 50th anniversary at its next annual meeting, which will take place October 10 - 12, 2018, in Williamsburg; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys hereby be commended on its years of service to the Commonwealth’s legal defense community on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for its impressive accomplishments and dedication to providing opportunities for education and fellowship for its members.