Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys

Value put into practice.

We are a voluntary bar association comprised of over 850 attorneys whose litigation is primarily focused on the defense of civil actions.

Join VADA Upcoming events

04 Dec 2026 · Richmond

2026 Young Lawyers Boot Camp

This is a must-attend event for newer attorneys, who will learn the practical information needed to practice civil defense law.

Event details All events

12–13 Mar 2027 · University of Richmond

2027 Trial Tactics Workshop

Our two-day mock trial. Virginia judges will preside and provide constructive feedback throughout the trial.

Event details All events

Our mission

Education, communication and fellowship.

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.

Rule of Law Statement EGAD Statement

Four panelists at a VADA program

Members

Everything members need, one log-in away.

CLE forms, written materials, the Journal and the member directory live in the members-only area.

CLE Forms and Meetings Written Materials Log-in

Calendar

Upcoming events

CLE programs, webinars and the meetings members plan their year around.

All events

What VADA does

Programs through the year

From the Annual Meeting in October to the Journal on your desk four times a year.

Upcoming events

Across the Commonwealth

Five regions, one bar.

From Abingdon to Norfolk, VADA is organised in five regions, each with its own Regional Director on the Board.

Each dot marks a representative city in the region.

Regional Directors

  • Sarah Jessee

    Southwest · Abingdon

  • Ashley Hart

    Blue Ridge · Roanoke

  • Stewart Pollock

    Capitol · Richmond

  • Kathryn Bonorchis

    Potomac · Alexandria

  • Joe Moriarty

    Tidewater · Norfolk

The VADA Board of Directors and Officers are elected each year at the Association’s annual meeting in October.

1968

Founded

Started September 11, 1968

850+

Attorneys

in a voluntary bar association

5

Regions

Southwest to Tidewater

4

Journal issues a year

The Journal of Civil Litigation

Litigation sections

Find your section.

VADA offers members the option of joining one (or more) litigation sections providing members with access to resources and information about their specific fields of civil defense law.

There is no charge for section membership; it is part of your overall VADA membership.

See the sections

Member voices

What have you enjoyed most about your time in VADA?

Answers from VADA Member Spotlight interviews, in members’ own words.

VADA Member Spotlight

  • “I enjoy being able to stay connected to some of my friends from law school who also have joined the Association.”

    Gifford HampshireMcGavin, Boyce, Bardot, Thorsen & Katz, P.C., Fairfax
  • “The wealth of experience/knowledge and the willingness to share it with young attorneys have been invaluable for me.”

    Brian EttariHarman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman, Glen Allen
  • “Meeting other members and trading stories and ideas. There’s enormous value in comparing notes with people who face the same challenges. Some of the most useful conversations I’ve had have come from simply swapping experiences with colleagues who’ve seen the same problems from a different angle.”

    Michael SharpSharp Litigation PLC, Harrisonburg
  • “I’ve attended two VADA conferences now and have been really impressed with the programming and collegiality of the members. It’s been instructive and a lot of fun. The online resources are excellent as well.”

    Melissa HamannChesapeake City Attorney’s Office
  • “I’ve always felt a real sense of comradery among the membership of the VADA. It’s been a great resource for sharing experiences unique to the defense bar. I learn something new at every conference.”

    Craig GallagherFurniss, Davis, Rashkind and Saunders, P.C., Norfolk
  • “The members! I love meeting and collaborating with other members at VADA and then getting to see them in action in the courtroom as opposing or co-counsel. Getting to know your counterparts as humans first and finding common ground makes the adversarial process much less adversarial.”

    Meghan GoslineHancock, Daniel & Johnson, PC, Glen Allen
  • “I have enjoyed meeting and working with other defense attorneys from across Virginia. The VADA has a great sense of camaraderie.”

    Glenn WilliamsFrith Anderson + Peake, Roanoke
  • “It’s a great way to connect with the larger Virginia legal community. I see many of the same people once or twice a year, every year, at the meetings, and it’s always great to catch up and discuss interesting topics over drinks.”

    Vivek SubramanyamLewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, LLP, Washington, D.C.
  • “The best part of VADA has been interacting with such an impressive group of people. Participating gives me substantive legal knowledge, practical tips for improving my practice, and interesting and fun events, all while fostering the highest standards of professionalism.”

    Marc PeritzFlora Pettit PC, Charlottesville
  • “The meetings and social events are the best part of VADA. You get to catch up with colleagues and have fun, while learning from others in your field.”

    Walker TerryByrne Canaan Law, Richmond
  • “The collegiality. VADA members are always ready and willing to share information, expert recommendations, and thoughts on defense strategy.”

    Britton WightHarman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman, Alexandria
  • “Meeting attorneys from all across the state who understand what you do and are always willing to help.”

    Lori BentleyJohnson Ayers & Matthews, Roanoke

Ready to join

First-year membership dues are $150.

If you register for one of VADA’s CLE programs, your new member dues for that year will be waived.

Join VADA Upcoming events

What members enjoy

  • The Journal of Civil Litigation, four times a year, online and searchable
  • The Annual Meeting, every October
  • The Young Lawyers Boot Camp, early December
  • Litigation sections at no extra charge
Membership details

Recent from VADA

News from the membership

Every month VADA interviews a member about their professional and personal life and more.

VADA Member Spotlight

Member Spotlight

Gifford Hampshire

McGavin, Boyce, Bardot, Thorsen & Katz, P.C., Fairfax

Giff is a graduate of Virginia Tech and George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School. He has served VADA with distinction as a member of our Annual Meeting Committee.

Read the spotlight
Paying it Forward

Macel H. Janoschka

Frith Anderson + Peake PC, Roanoke

Our goal with this feature is to celebrate and say thank you to a VADA member who is making a positive difference in his or her community.

Read the feature
Defense Line Newsletter

September 2026 issue

VADA’s newsletter, with monthly issues back to 2019.

Current issue Past issues

Sponsors & Support

The partners behind our programs

VADA could not offer this excellent programming without the help and support of our sponsors.

Sponsor with Amy Gilbody

  • LexisNexis
  • Beacon Forensic
  • Beacon Hill Legal
  • CED Technologies
  • Exponent
  • FORCON International
  • Juridical Solutions
  • In2Trial
  • MDD, A Davies Company
  • Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Defense Program
  • Planet Depos
  • Comp-X
  • MW Forensic Engineering
  • Rimkus Consulting Group
  • Robson Lenhart, PC
  • Accident Technology
  • S-E-A
  • The McCammon Group
  • Virginia Lawyers Weekly
  • InQuis

Value put into practice. A voluntary bar association of Virginia attorneys whose litigation is primarily focused on the defense of civil actions.

Contact

Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
11533 Busy Street, #327
N. Chesterfield, VA 23236
804-649-1002

Executive Director: Sherma Mather, smather@vada.org
Director of Meetings: Amy Gilbody, agilbody@vada.org, (804) 402-6788
Journal of Civil Litigation Managing Editor: Molly Terry

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