Bench-Bar Conference 2025
The Bench-Bar Conference is designed to promote discussion on issues of interest to judges and lawyers and provide an opportunity for each to offer their reactions and feedback. The format features breakout sessions allowing groups of judges and lawyers to actively discuss topics of interest in their individual areas of practice. Included in the cost of the conference is admission to the Richmond Bar luncheon and a continental breakfast reception with members of the judiciary.
Date: October 21, 2025
Location: Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd Street, Richmond
Registration and Breakfast with the judges: 8:00 am – 8:55 am (Sponsored by Stiles Ewing Powers)
Conference: 9:00 am – 12:15 pm
Luncheon 12:30 – 2:00 pm
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Break-Out Sessions (1.5 hrs of MCLE credit, unless noted*)
State & Federal Civil Practice – “The Litigator’s Toolkit: Pretrial Motions and Exhibits” 1.5 hour of credit
This presentation will focus on pretrial motions available to the litigator and use of exhibits. The speakers will focus on motions craving oyer, motions in limine, and the use of both real and demonstrative exhibits at trial.
Moderator: Chuck K. Seyfarth, O’Hagan Meyer
Panelists: Hon. Glenn A. Huff, Retired Judge Virginia Court of Appeals; Hon. Phillip L. Hairston, Retired Judge Richmond Circuit Court; Stephanie E. Grana, Cantor, Grana Buckner, Bucci; and Justin S. Feinman, Williams Mullen
Criminal Practice – “Ethics: Common Pitfalls in Criminal Practice” *1.5 hour of ethics
Prosecutors, public defenders, and criminal defense attorneys face unique ethical challenges. Our panel discussion will review recent disciplinary actions and how to handle common dilemmas in the criminal justice system, including disclosure of favorable evidence, delayed appeals, court-appointed fee claims, and client conflicts of interest.
Moderator: Hon. Steven B. Novey, Judge, Chesterfield Circuit Court
Panelist: Renu M. Brennan, Esq., Bar Counsel, Virginia State Bar
Panelist: Michael E. Hollomon, Esq., Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
Panelist: Sara M. Gaborik, Esq., Law Offices of Sara M. Gaborik
Domestic Relations Practice – “Bridging Law and Mental Health: Juvenile Delinquency, Custody Disputes, and the Child in Crisis” 1.5 hour of credit
This presentation will focus on children in mental health crisis, with a focus on juvenile delinquency cases and child custody cases. The speakers will address the unique considerations involving these issues and provide insight and resources that attorneys can utilize for their juvenile clients or clients who are parents of children in mental health crises.
Moderator: Lisa W. Piper, Family Law Associates of Richmond, P.C.
Panelists: Hon. Marissa D. Mitchell, Henrico J&D Court; Jennifer M. Newman, Newman Law, PC; Jochelle Young, Henrico Mental Health
10:45 – 12:15 p.m. – Break-Out Sessions (1.5 hrs of MCLE credit)
10:30 – 10:45 Coffee Break Break (Sponsored by Melone Hatley, P.C.)
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Break-Out Sessions (1.5 hrs of MCLE credit)
State & Federal Civil Practice – “A.I. and the Legal Profession”- 1.5 hour of credit
This session will begin with a presentation from Virginia Supreme Court Justice Kelsey on AI and its impact on the legal profession. Following his presentation, there will be a panel discussion on why the civil practitioner needs to be familiar with the use of AI for both ethical and practical reasons, the appropriate uses of AI and large language models, and concerns related to deepfakes in litigation.
Presenter: Justice D. Arthur Kelsey, Virginia Supreme Court
Moderator: Gareth A. Bowen, Troxell Leigh, PC
Panelists: Frederic I. Lederer, Professor, William & Mary Law School; Daniel Shin, Professor, William & Mary Law School; and John G. Danyluk, Gentry Locke
Criminal Practice – “Brady & Giglio Best Practices: Aim for the Ceiling & Avoid the Floor” – 1.5 hour of credit
A trial attorney’s guide to being vigilant about Brady-Giglio best practices. How do local Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Offices manage and review evidence from all law-enforcement agencies, appreciate its exculpatory and impeachment value, and disclose appropriately to minimize accusations of misconduct? How do defense attorneys guard against violations, find favorable evidence without the prosecutor, and tackle untimely Brady-Giglio disclosures?
Moderator: Hon. Claire G. Cardwell, Judge, Richmond Circuit Court
Panelist: Doug Ramseur, Esq., The Ram Law Firm
Panelist: Steve Benjamin, Esq., Benjamin & Desportes
Panelist: Shannon Taylor, Esq., Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney
Panelist: effrey L. Einhaus, Chesterfield Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
Panelist: Katherine E. Groover, Esq., Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
Domestic Relations Practice – “Parents v. Non-Parents: Constitutional Rights and the best interests of a child in custody and visitation cases” 1.5 hour of credit
Navigating the battles between parents and non-parents is difficult. Is Williams v. Painter, 83 Va App 520, 911 S.E.2d 212 (2025) sending Virginia toward a more powerful weighing of a parent’s constitutional rights when a parent is seeking to regain custody from a non-parent? Join us for a lively discussion regarding constitutional rights, fitness, actual harm, and the best interest of the child. The panelists will discuss various scenarios including when a third party seeks custody/visitation and when a parent seeks to regain custody/visitation from a third party.
Moderator: Megan C. Jones, Barnes & Diehl, P.C
Panelists: Hon. Stephen A. Mutnick, Henrico J&D Court; Hon. J.David Rigler, Chesterfield J&D Court; Hon. J. Alexis Fisher-Rizk, Richmond J&D Court; William T. Fitzhugh, Fitzhugh Law, PLC
Luncheon: Featuring remarks by the Hon. D. Arthur Kelsey of the Virginia Supreme Court (Sponsored by Friedman Law Firm)
Cost: $140 ($150 beginning October 14th)
Special rate for lawyers practicing less than 6 years – $120 ($130 beginning October 14th)
Public sector attorney $120 ($130 beginning October 14th)
Law Student/Clerk (no CLE credit) – $45
This program has been approved by the VA MCLE Board for 3.0 hours of credit. CLE materials will be e-mailed to attendees approximately one week prior to the conference.
DEADLINE FOR CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS IS 12 NOON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH
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