Membership
Join VADA
Thank you for your interest in the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys. We are a voluntary bar association comprised of over 850 attorneys whose litigation is primarily focused on the defense of civil actions.
Dues
Apply online
An Online Application, can be completed and returned to us through this website. The application also contains the eligibility stipulations.
First year membership dues are $150. However, if you register for one of VADA’s CLE programs, your new member dues for that year will be waived. Contact Sherma Mather for additional details. Please read on to learn about the publications and programs members of the Association enjoy.
First year membership dues, waived if you register for one of VADA’s CLE programs
What members enjoy
Publications and programs
The Journal of Civil Litigation
Our principal publication, The Journal of Civil Litigation, is published four times a year. Each edition contains an interesting selection of in-depth articles, as well as summaries of trial court decisions not readily available from other sources. The Journal is now on-line and searchable for members.
Non-members may subscribe to the Journal for an annual subscription rate of $100.00. Sherma Mather handles all subscriptions for the Journal.
Annual Meeting
Our Annual Meeting is held in October at various locations across the state. This gathering gives our members the chance to meet and discuss topics of mutual interest and enjoy the camaraderie of our group.
New Associates’ Boot Camp
Special seminars are also presented for the benefit of lawyers new to the defense bar. For example, the annual “New Associates’ Boot Camp” is held each year in early December. This one-day seminar is designed to provide practical, everyday-type information to young attorneys.
2026 Young Lawyers Boot CampLegislative interests
VADA’s legislative interests are represented before the Virginia General Assembly. Together with the Association’s Legislative Committee, procedural matters relating to the defense of civil litigation are monitored. Concentration on specific substantive issues is also actively pursued where not covered by business and insurance interests.
Sections
Litigation sections
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.
| Section | Chair | Vice Chair |
|---|---|---|
| Appellate Advocacy | Scott Koven | Edward Bailey |
| Auto & Transportation Liability | William Miller | Gifford Hampshire |
| Corporate & Commercial Litigation | Laura Berry | Anastasia Uziletskaya |
| Local Government | Melissa Hamann | Karla Soloria |
| Medical Malpractice | Michael Millstein | Anna Cotto |
| Policy Coverage | Meghan Gosline | — |
| Product & Toxic Torts | Jonathan Thomas | Ben Abel |
| Professional Liability | Drake Hudgins | Karson Lyon |
| Women’s Section | Ren Klinovskiy | Kambria Talley |
| Workers’ Compensation | Albert Gutierrez | Tom McWeeny |
| Young Lawyers Division | Lindsey Brock | Natalie Lyon |
There is no charge for section membership; it is part of your overall VADA membership. You can join sections at any time by updating your membership profile.
Questions
Contact Sherma Mather
Further information about our CLE offerings, samples of our publications, and questions can be directed to the Executive Director, Sherma Mather, at the offices of the VADA, 11533 Busy Street, #327, N. Chesterfield VA 23236 OR by phone on 804/649-1002, OR by e-mail.
- Executive DirectorSherma Mather
- Emailsmather@vada.org
- Phone804-649-1002
- Office11533 Busy Street, #327
N. Chesterfield, VA 23236
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.