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About the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association

The Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA) is a voluntary statewide bar association formed in 1960 to promote professionalism and competency within the trial bar. With membership approaching 3,000, VTLA is active in a variety of public service and education projects, is a leader in continuing legal education seminars, publishes a number of award-winning, valuable publications, and promotes improvements to the administration of justice in Virginia through legislative representation at the Virginia General Assembly and before other appropriate bodies.

VTLA sponsors a host of continuing legal education seminars for trial lawyers and their support staff designed to improve competency and currency in the law. In that regard, a number of regular publications, including Law Letter and The Journal, are made available to members to provide updates on statutory and case law and trends in the law.

VTLA is active in the Virginia General Assembly promoting improvements to the administration of justice intended to enrich the quality of life in Virginia. Initiatives have included an increase in Virginia’s medical malpractice cap, truck safety labeling, improved divorce and property division procedures, more equitable workers' compensation statutes, and support of insurance reforms. Members are kept informed of the activities of the General Assembly through the LAWFLASH, published weekly during the session.

VTLA and its members are committed to improving public understanding of the legal system and of the role of trial lawyers within that system. "The Road to Virginia Justice" has been shown to thousands of Virginia middle and high school students. The film and teaching materials feature a drunk driving case and use that case as the vehicle for explaining the legal rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

VTLA also works closely with Virginia law schools, sponsoring trial advocacy and moot court competitions and law school student chapters. Additionally, VTLA sponsors the "Excellence in Journalism" award, identifying and rewarding media efforts to expose and correct societal conditions damaging to consumers.
Click here to read the VTLA Pro Bono Resolution (PDF).