Bench-Bar Conference & Luncheon 2026
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 20, 2026
Location: Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd Street, Richmond
Registration and Breakfast with the judges: 8:00 am – 8:55 am
Conference: 9:00 am – 12:15 pm
Luncheon:12:30 – 2:00 pm
Breakout Sessions
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Break-Out Sessions (1.5 hrs of MCLE credit)
State & Federal Civil Practice – “From Voir Dire to Verdict: A Jury Trial Survival Guide” 1.5 hour of credit
Jury trials are won—or lost—long before the jury begins deliberating, and the smallest procedural misstep can become the biggest appellate headache. This panel provides a practical toolkit for navigating the critical stages of a civil jury trial, from effective voir dire, strikes for cause, peremptory challenges and Batson issues to motions practice and jury instructions. Along the way, we’ll highlight practical tips for making the record, preserving objections, and avoiding common pitfalls that can derail an otherwise successful trial.
Moderator: Brendan D. O’Toole, Esq.,
Panelists: Hon. Mary B. Malveaux, Hon. Jayne A. Pemberton, Hon. Victoria A.B. Willis, Courtney Leigh Winston, Esq., John P. O’Herron, Esq.
Criminal Practice – “How To Be Aware of the Potential Immigration Consequences for Your Client” 1.5 hour of credit
An overview of the potential immigration consequences for your criminal clients that lawyers should consider when negotiating both felony and misdemeanor plea agreements and counseling their clients on whether to plead or conduct a trial. What constitutes a crime of moral turpitude or another deportable offense? What if your client is involved in ongoing immigration proceedings? What is a UVISA?
Moderator: Erin B. Barr, Esq.
Panelists: Emily K. Powell, Esq., Paul F. Fantl, Esq., Miriam Fisher, Esq., Samuel P. Sampson, Esq.
Domestic Relations Practice – “The New (Old?) Frontier of Reunification Counseling and Family Therapy in Resist Refuse Custody and Visitation Cases” 1.5 hour of credit
One of the biggest questions practitioners and judges grapple with is the best path forward in contested custody and visitation cases where a child refuses to spend time with a parent. What are essential foundations that need to be in place to make reunification successful? How do you coordinate multiple mental health professionals working with a family? How do you communicate to mental health professionals what the legal aspects of the case are, and ensure proper Orders for therapy exist that serve both legal and therapeutic needs? How do you assess if reunification is possible (and/or successful), and what to do practically when it’s not, or when the therapeutic and court time lines contradict each other?
Moderator: William T. Fitzhugh, Esq.
Panelists: Hon. Stephen A. Mutnick, Hon. Tara D. Hatcher, Melissa D. Findlay, LCSW, Amy A. Sanford, LPC, Erika MacCormac, Esq.,
10:45 – 12:15 p.m. – Break-Out Sessions (1.5 hrs of MCLE credit)
10:30 – 10:45 Coffee Break Break
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Break-Out Sessions (1.5 hrs of MCLE credit)
State & Federal Civil Practice – “The Fine Print Just Got Finer: Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law, Updated”- 1.5 hour of credit
From pre-filing notices to post-judgment redemption, this session walks Virginia landlord-tenant attorneys through the entire eviction lifecycle — filing strategy, first return outcomes, trial defenses, and the writ-of-possession endgame. Packed with brand-new July 2026 developments, including the ban on bifurcating contested rent-and-damages hearings, expanded Eviction Diversion Program eligibility, and new protections barring appeal bonds for indigent tenants, this panel keeps practitioners current on a fast-moving area of law. Beyond the courtroom mechanics, the panel tackles the real stakes —domestic-abuse protections, SCRA and bankruptcy intersections, and Virginia’s staggering unmet housing-legal-need gap — making the case for why skilled representation on both sides of the docket matters more than ever.
Moderator: Hon. Mansi J. Shah
Panelists: Noah J. Nelson, Esq., Lauren B. King, Esq., Rose A. Palmer, Esq.
Criminal Practice – “I’m a Lawyer not a Math Wiz! The Ins and Outs of Handling and Calculating Probation Violations” – 1.5 hour of credit
A discussion of Virginia Code Sections 19.2-306 and 19.2-306.1 and new appellate case law, and how they impact show cause proceedings in both Circuit Court and General District Court. The discussion will include topics on calculating remaining time after a series of show causes, what constitutes a special condition violation, how VASAP violations and local probation violations are handled between the courts, special circumstances with sex offenders and gang members, extensions of remaining time/probation because of program or restitution and much more
Moderator: Christopher A. Bain, Esq.
Panelists: Hon. Bradley B. Cavedo, Hon. Lauren A. Caudill, Kirk J. Conway, Esq., Benjamin A. Shute, Esq., Karen Caples, Emily Soldato
Domestic Relations Practice – “Pharmaceutical Interactions – A Primer on Common Drug Interactions (prescription, street, and more) and the Intersection of Mental Health Diagnosis” 1.5 hour of credit
A crash course in practical tips for practitioners in the Juvenile Courts, to include learning about common drug interactions, mental health diagnosis and prescribed medications, and drug screenings (both in and out of court). Discussion will include for example- impacts of marijuana use in individuals who are prescribed bi-polar medications; interactions between anti-anxiety medications and ADHD medications; interaction of street drugs on already present mental health diagnoses; general education on ADHD medication options, and how to advocate for clients in contested legal custody fights. Additional helpful tips for interpretation of drug screens, and half- life of drugs within average individual, and what “fake positive” responses look really like.
Moderator: Hon. Lisa W. Piper
Panelists: Hon. Ashley K. Tunner, Dr. Scott Keel, MD, James Hutchings, Thomas Mamalakis, PMHNP, William T. Fitzhugh, Esq.
Luncheon: Featuring remarks by Craig S. Cooley, Esq., one of Virginia’s top criminal defense attorneys.
Cost: $140 ($150 beginning October 13th)
Special rate for lawyers practicing less than 6 years – $120 ($130 beginning October 13th)
Public sector attorney $120 ($130 beginning October 13th)
Law Student/Clerk (no CLE credit) – $50
Luncheon only (no breakout sessions) – $50
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 13TH
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