Bench-Bar Conference 2024
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 17, 2024
Location: Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd Street, Richmond
Registration and Breakfast with the judges: 8:00 a.m. – 8:55 a.m.
Conference: 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m
Cost: $130 ($140 beginning October 10th)
Special rate for lawyers practicing less than 6 years – $110 ($120 beginning October 10th)
Public sector attorney $110 ($120 beginning October 10th)
This program has been approved by the VA MCLE Board for 3.0 hours of credit. CLE materials be e-mailed to attendees approximately one week prior to the conference.
DEADLINE FOR CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS IS 12 NOON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10TH
REGISTER
Schedule:
8:00 – 8:55 a.m. – Registrations/Continental Breakfast Reception with the Judges (Sponsored by Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company )
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Break-Out Sessions (1.5 hrs of MCLE credit)
State & Federal Civil Practice – “Jury Trial Strategies: Tips, Tricks and War Stories”
A panel discussion about how to successfully try a jury from start to finish. Topics of discussion will include voir dire, the creation of effective case themes, jury instruction, and presentation of argument and evidence.
Panelists: David P. Corrigan, Harman, Claytor, Corrigan & Wellman; Glen W. Pulley, Gentry Locke; Courtney L. Winston, Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen; Hon. L.A. Harris, Henrico Circuit Court
Moderator: Hugh M. Fain III, Spotts Fain
Criminal Practice – “Cameras and the Constitution: Crime in the Digital Era”
A panel discussion about the emergence of Real Time Crime Centers (“RTCC”) and camera systems to aid police departments and citizens in investigation and solving crimes. Topics of discussion will include what camera systems are available around the metro-Richmond area, who has access to them, and whether camera systems violate an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy under the Fourth Amendment.
Panelists: Claire G. Gastanega, Partner at Dunlap Law, and former ED of area ACLU; Richard Edwards, Chief of the Richmond Police Department; Michael Molina, Head of Legal for Flock Safety; Stephen Anthony, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia
Moderator: Hon. Keith N, Hurley, Chesterfield General District Court
Domestic Relations Practice – “Alcohol and Marijuana: Legal to Use, but How Far is Too Far? An Examination of Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders in JDR Court Cases.”
A panel discussion of substance use issues in custody/visitation and abuse and neglect cases, particularly alcohol and marijuana use. Discussion to include the impact of substance use on court decisions, orders prohibiting parents from using substances during or prior to visitation, standards for substance use in foster care/removal cases, and evaluation and treatment processes from community resources.
Panelist: Hon. Marissa D. Mitchell, Henrico JDR Court; Emily C. R. Bittner, Chesterfield County Attorney’s Office; Nicholas Stansfield, LPC, Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services
Moderator: Jacquelyn Gerlach, Friedman Law firm
10:30 – 10:45 Coffee Break Break (Sponsored by Entec Systems)
10:45 – 12:15 p.m. – Break-Out Sessions (1.5 hrs of MCLE credit)
State & Federal Civil Practice – “The New Appeal of Right to the Court of Appeals: What Have We Learned?”
A panel discussion about the new appeal of right for civil cases in the Court of Appeals. Topics of discussion will include how the new appeal of right has changed the Court of Appeals’ caseload and its implications for the future, as well as how to successfully handle an appeal, from preserving objections at the trial level to effective brief writing and oral argument.
Panelists: Hon. Vernida R. Chaney, VA Court of Appeals; Hon. Stuart A. Raphael, VA Court of Appeals; Hon. Dominque A. Callins, VA Court of Appeals; Graham K. Bryant, Deputy Solicitor General
Moderator: S. Virginia “Ginnie” Bondurant Price, McGuireWoods
Criminal Practice – “Emerging Gun Litigation and Firearms Devices”
A panel discussion about newly emerging firearm enhancement devices and the litigation surrounding the regulation of firearms offenses. Topics of discussion will include what are “sears,” “Swithces,” “Binary triggers, ” and “PMFs,” as well as whether it is a violation of the second amendment to prohibit felons from possessing firearms in the wake of Bruen and Rahimi
Panelists: Hon. Claire G. Cardwell, Richmond Circuit Court; William Efrid, Indigent Defense Commission; Jay R. Peluso, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Henrico County; Sgt. Douglas Carey Wood, Henrico Police Department
Moderator: Hon Lauren A. Caudill, Henrico General District Court
Domestic Relations Practice – “The iPad is Back from Dad’s Visitation, What Can I Find and Use in Court?: Considerations for Shared Electronics in JDR Court Cases”
A panel discussion about electronic access and evidence in custody/visitation cases, particularly via devices which are shared between households. Discussion to include the information which can be accessed via these devices, how the information can be presented as evidence, how attorneys can advise their clients in protecting their private information, and duties of an attorney advising a client who has an opportunity to access the information of the other parent.
Panelists: Hon. Tara D. Hatcher, Chesterfield JDR Court; Krista Mathis, Virginia State Bar – The Archer Hall CLE Team
12:30 – 1:45 Richmond Bar Association Luncheon – Speaker: Remarks by the Hon. Stuart A. Raphael, Virginia Court of Appeals (Sponsored by Family Insight, PC)
Thank you to our Law Firm Sponsors. Click on their logo to visit their site.
2024-10-17 9:00:00
2024-10-17 12:15:00
America/New_York
Bench-Bar Conference
Bench-Bar Conference
Richmond Convention Center
Sharon Potter
spotter@richmondbar.org
