Bench-Bar Conference 2023

9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Break-Out Sessions (1.5 hrs of MCLE credit)
State & Federal Civil Practice – “Expert Reconnaissance and Strategic Opposition”
In this session, the panelists will focus on cross examining experts, motions in limine, motions to disqualify experts, and attacking an expert’s CV & qualifications.
Panelists: Christopher J. Toepp, Esq.; Meredith M. Haynes, Esq.; Justin M. Sheldon, Esq.
Moderator: Hon. William R. Marchant

Criminal Practice – “Bridging the Gap: How the Criminal Justice System Addresses Mental Illness”
This session will include a discussion on changes in Virginia law to include diminished capacity and deferred dispositions, competency evaluations and NGRI defenses; and the function of mental health dockets.
Panelists: Stephen A. Mutnick, Esq.; Dr. Susan W. Schaffer; Helen C. Greenbacker of Central State
Moderator: Hon. Lauren A. Caudill

Domestic Relations Practice – “Mental Health Before and After COVID – What Issus Are We Seeing Today?”

Dr. Nelson will discuss post-covid effects on juveniles; suggestions for securing mental health professionals considering appointments are limited; and providing alternative resources for juvenile pending appointments with a mental health professional.
Speaker: Dr. Michelle K. Nelson
Moderator: Julie M. Cillo

10:30 – 10:45 Coffee Break Break (Sponsored by Family Insight, PC)

10:45 – 12:15 p.m. – Break-Out Sessions (1.5 hrs of MCLE credit)

State & Federal Civil Practice – “Deposition Damage Control”
This session will explore how to exclude harmful deposition testimony through pre-trial motions and during trial, plus a primer on relevant objections and the discovery rules governing depositions in state and federal court.
Panelists: W. Rand robins, Esq.; Brendan D. O’Toole, Esq.; Patricia B. Turner, Esq.
Moderator: Hon. Jayne A. Pemberton

Criminal Practice – “Jury Trial Skills: How to Best Take Care of Your Client and Yourself”
In this session panelists will discuss judges’ perspectives on best practices; how to present the most effective sentencing, including effective use of sentencing memorandum, mitigation specialists, victim impact, etc.; and how lawyers can take care of their own mental health and abide by the rules of ethics while handling increased workloads necessary for the increased number of jury trials.
Panelists: Hon. Lee A. Harris, Jr.; Hon. David E. Johnson; Hon. Bradley B. Cavedo; Jennifer Quitiquit, Sentencing Advocate; Molly O’Rourke, Mitigation Specialist; Krista M. Samuels, Bar Ethics
Moderator: Hon. Jacqueline S. McClenney

Domestic Relations Practice – “We Can’t Agree on the Child’s Treatment – Help Me Convince the Judge to Grant Me Final Decision-Making Authority!”

The panelists will discuss the issue of how to convince the judge to grant (or not) one parent the authority to make the final decision on legal decisions affecting the child, particularly where the bench seems to be moving away from awarding one parent any such authority. This panel will tie in the questions of whether a GAL should be appointed, whether an independent mental health evaluation or psychological evaluation is desirable, and best practices for preparing for a trial on the issue.
Panelists: Hon. Brice Lambert, Jennifer M. Newman, Esq.; Mary B. Owens, Esq.; Adrienne G. Eliades, Esq.
Moderator: Melanie A. Friend, Esq.

12:30 – 1:45 Richmond Bar Association Luncheon – remarks by the Hon. David B. Albo (no MCLE credit offered) (Sponsored by The McCammon Group)