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• CLE: "Juries - From Where to File to Verdict"

  • When
    Monday, September 30, 2024
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse 1st Floor Training Room

  Register

  Registration Required!

  September 30 2024
  NPBA Members: Free
  Not yet NPBA Members: $30.00 (1 CLE Credit)

  Summary:

  1. Which Venue is Best
     • Factors to consider when deciding where to file (politics, average income, population composition, etc.)
     • Code Sections that dictate venue
  2. The Jury Panel
     • Getting the panel
     • Jury research
  3. Voire Dire
     • Questions to ask
     • Setting the stage for the trial
     • What to focus on
  4. Picking a Jury
     • Who do you want and why
     • How to choose your jury
     • Strikes
  5. The Jury During Trial
     • Keeping the Jury engaged
     • Presenting the case to the lowest common denominator
  6. Jury Instructions
     • What instructions
     • Where to get instructions from
     • Order of instructions
     • Instruction argument

  22 Person Limit due to capacity

  Presenter:  Samantha Cohn, Esq., Smith Law Center/Brain Injury Center

  A native of Hampton Roads, Samantha attended Old Dominion University located in Norfolk, Virginia receiving her Bachelor of Arts in History as a graduate with distinction. She then attended the Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida obtaining her Juris Doctor with a focus on litigation. She is licensed in Virginia and is admitted to practice in all courts in the Commonwealth and some Federal jurisdictions.

  During her law school tenure, she was a gold level member of the Pro Bono Honors Society as well as the Director of the Inter-American Center for Human Rights. She has been licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth since 2015. She is certified to represent clients throughout the state of Virginia at all judicial levels as well as the United States District Court Eastern District of Virginia and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. During her years in practice Mrs. Cohn has conducted over one thousand trials giving her the opportunity to polish her skills and hone expertise in an effort to maximize her clients’ recovery. 

  “We are extremely excited to begin working with Samantha. Not only is Samantha an excellent attorney with a wealth of real-life experience, she complements our practice by allowing us to offer expanded services to our clients all over the country,” said Stephen M. Smith, principal.

  Samantha lives in Richmond, Virginia, and enables the firm to continue to provide a host of legal services in central and western Virginia, in addition to the Tidewater area.  When not in the courtroom, Samantha spends time with her husband chasing after her three boys. She also enjoys travel, golf, and yoga when she can find the time.

  Number of CLE hours: 1 Ethics

  Areas of Law:  Litigation and Juries in Civial and Criminal Law

  Must be present at the start of the CLE program until the end in order to receive credit(s).

  Additional Details:
  Please contact bar association staff at (757) 622-3152 or email contact@norfolkportsmouthbar.org if you have any questions.

  *Application for approval for this course or program is pending with the Virginia Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board.

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• CLE "ERISA Liens"

  • When
    Monday, September 30, 2024
  •  
    2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse 1st Floor Training Room

  Register

  Registration Required!

  September 30 2024

  2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
  NPBA Members: Free
  Not yet NPBA Members: $30.00 (1 CLE Credit)

  Summary:

  • What is ERISA - how to identify an ERISA plan.
  • Lien Hunting - when can you look for liens.
  • Repercussions for client if they do not pay a lien.
  • Requesting plan documents - what documents should you be getting.
  • Confirming that a lien is valid - what language must be included in the plan document.
  • Contesting a lien.

  22 Person Limit due to capacity
  

  Presenter:  Katie Carroll, Esq. with The Smith Law Center

  Katie Carroll earned her undergraduate degree in International Affairs from the University of Mary Washington and received her Juris Doctor degree from William & Mary Law School. Admitted to the Virginia Bar in October 2020, Katie has since focused on personal injury law. She is licensed in Virginia and can practice in all courts in the Commonwealth, including the Eastern District of Virginia. 

  While at William & Mary Law School, Katie actively participated in the moot court team, winning the school's intrateam tournament during her second year. Additionally, her student note was published in the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal. 

  Since graduating, Katie has dedicated her career to advocating for people in personal injury law, representing hundreds of clients injured in automobile accidents. She has successfully resolved cases through both negotiations and trial, working hard to achieve favorable results for her clients. Katie believes every case should be taken seriously by insurance companies and is committed to ensuring her clients are treated fairly. 

  Areas of Law:  Civil Litigation

  Must be present at the start of the CLE program until the end in order to receive credit(s).

  Additional Details:
  Please contact bar association staff at (757) 622-3152 or email contact@norfolkportsmouthbar.org if you have any questions.

  *Application for approval for this course or program is pending with the Virginia Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board.

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• The Honorable Joan E. Mahoney Portrait Unveiling

  • When
    Friday, October 04, 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • Location
    City of Norfolk Courthouse - Courtroom 6A - 150 St. Paul's Boulevard

  PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE

  PORTRAIT UNVEILING CEREMONY

  of

  THE HONORABLE JOAN E. MAHONEY

  Friday, October 4, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

  
  

  City of Norfolk Courthouse

  150 St. Paul's Boulevard

  Courtroom 6A

  Norfolk, Virginia 23510

  
  

  R.S.V.P. by September 20, 2024 to Diana Johnson

  drjohnson@vacourts.gov

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• CLE "Name, Image, Likeness"

  • When
    Monday, October 07, 2024
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse First Floor Training Room
  • Spaces left
    17

  Register

  Registration Required!

  NPBA Members: Free
  Not yet NPBA Members: $30.00 (1.5 CLE Credit)

  Summary:

  • What is Name, Image, and Likeness (“NIL”) in Virginia
  • Brief history regarding amateurism/NIL in college sports (events before 2021)
  • SCOTUS’ 2021 NCAA v. Alston decision and its legal impact
  • Discuss current law surrounding NIL in Virginia, including the most recent law that went into effect this past July 2024
  • Defining the roles of “Attorney” and “Agent” in the NIL marketplace.

  22 Person Limit due to capacity

  Presenters: 

  Diamond C. Royster, Attorney, Pender & Coward, P.C.

  Diamond is a Pender & Coward attorney focusing her practice on civil litigation, local government, eminent domain/right of way and waterfront law matters.  Prior to joining the firm, Diamond served as a law clerk for the Honorable Cleo Powell of the Supreme Court of Virginia.  Additionally, she has a background in higher education, having worked for several years in the industry and receiving a master’s degree in the field before pursuing law school.

  T. Lyons Lascara, Attorney, Pender & Coward, P.C.

  Lyons Lascara is a Pender & Coward attorney focusing his practice on construction law matters and civil litigation.  During law school, Lyons worked with the firm as a legal intern supporting the firm's construction law and litigation teams.

  Number of CLE hours: 1.5

  Areas of Law:  Sports Law; Business Law; Contract Law; Anti-Trust Law

  Must be present at the start of the CLE program until the end in order to receive credit(s).

  Additional Details:
  Please contact bar association staff at (757) 622-3152 or email contact@norfolkportsmouthbar.org if you have any questions.

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• YLS Meeting

  • When
    Tuesday, October 08, 2024
  •  
    6:00 PM
  • Location
    Gentry Locke / 101 W. Main Street, Suite 705 - World Trade Center / Norkolf, VA 23510

  Register

  
  

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• NPBA Executive Committee Meeting

  • When
    Wednesday, October 09, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

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• CLE: "Navigating Intentional Torts in the Workplace"

  • When
    Thursday, October 10, 2024
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse - First Floor Training Room

  Register

  Registration Required!
  NPBA Members: Free
  Not yet NPBA Members: $30.00 (1 CLE Credit)

  Summary:

  • Elements of a compensable workplace accident.
  • Exceptions and nuanced rules such as coming and going rule, sexual assaults, extended premise rule.
  • Distinguishing when an intentional tort is a compensable workplace accident with case law examples.
  • Distinguishing when an intentional tort is not a compensable workplace accident with case law examples.
  • A more in-depth discussion regarding Richneck Elementary and the shooting of a teacher.

  22 Person Limit due to capacity

  Presenters:  Joshua E. Lepchitz, Associate, Gentry Locke Attorneys

  Josh Lepchitz is a member in the firm’s Civil Defense Litigation practice group. Josh’s practice focuses on defense litigation, primarily on workers compensation, personal injury and insurance defense. He handles complex cases both in the General District and Circuit Courts throughout the Commonwealth.

  Prior to joining Gentry Locke, Josh was an associate at a boutique law firm in Norfolk. He also served as Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Norfolk, prosecuting criminal offenses. Josh is a native of Southwest Virginia.

  Number of CLE hours: 1 

  Area of Law:  Torts; Personal Injury

  Must be present at the start of the CLE program until the end in order to receive credit(s).

  Additional Details:
  Please contact bar association staff at (757) 622-3152 or email contact@norfolkportsmouthbar.org if you have any questions.
  

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• Bench Bar Relations Committee Meeting

  • When
    Tuesday, October 15, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Law Library

  Purpose of the Committee – To support and improve the local administration of justice, enhance service to the community, and increase professionalism within the legal system by exploring issues of emerging concern or interest that affect the local bench and bar (the specific issues to be explored ultimately will be determined by the committee); additionally, the committee will liaise with the Bench-Bar Conference Committee and Young Lawyers Section regarding appropriate topics.

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• Monthly Luncheon

  • When
    Thursday, October 17, 2024
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse Rotunda
  • Spaces left
    52

  Register

  October 17, 2024

  12:00pm to 1:00pm

  Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members

  Registration includes boxed lunch and water.

  Join us for the monthly luncheon meeting on October 17, 2024, More Information to Come!

  
  

  
  

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• CLE - More Information to Come

  • When
    Thursday, October 17, 2024
  •  
    1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse First Floor Training Room
  • Spaces left
    19

  Register

  October 17, 2024

  1:15pm to 2:15pm

  Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members

  
  

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• Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia: Housing Eviction Program - CLE and Clinic

  • When
    Wednesday, October 23, 2024
  • Location
    Zoom

  We Can Join together to Help Reduce the Eviction Crisis in Our Community

  Affordable housing can be difficult to find, especially for people who have limited income. A person’s rental history may be extremely important in the search for affordable housing. Potential landlords may check to determine if there have been one or more “Unlawful Detainers” filed against a person seeking to rent residential property. Unfortunately, the records stay in the Virginia Court Case Information (VCCI) system, usually for 10 years – even cases that were dismissed or nonsuited.

  A new law was enacted in Virginia in 2022 (Virginia Code Section 8.01-130.01 / Unlawful Detainer; Expungement). This law allows an eviction case that was dismissed or non-suited (and no possession was granted) to be removed from public court records after a certain of amount of time has passed. After an expungement is completed by the court, the case is then removed from VCCI. A cleaner rental history may make it easier for people to obtain future affordable housing.

  The Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (LASEVA) received a grant to help address the eviction crisis in our service area by engaging volunteer attorneys via an Eviction Expungement Project (EEP) to clear up tenants’ rental and credit histories, thereby reducing some barriers to obtaining affordable housing.

  As part of this project, LASEVA is offering a 1-hour free CLE (Housing Law – Unlawful Detainer Expungements) followed by a ½ hour clinic to handle cases. The CLE, via zoom virtual format, has been approved by the Virginia State Bar for 1-hour CLE.

  Upcoming CLEs for 2024:

  May	5/22/24
  June	6/26/24
  September	9/25/24
  October	10/23/24

  To participate in the CLE & Clinic and for additional information, please contact:

  Janet James, Esquire

  Pro Bono Expungement Grant Attorney

  Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia

  Phone: 757-305-9007

  janetj@laseva.org

  
  

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• CLE: "Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Decision-Making Alternatives"

  • When
    Wednesday, October 23, 2024
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse Training Room - 1st Floor
  • Spaces left
    19

  Register

  Registration Required!

  October 23, 2024
  NPBA Members: Free
  Not yet NPBA Members: $30.00 (2 CLE Credits)

  Summary:

  • Agency Documents
  • Guardianship/Conservatorship Code Overview (including recent updates)
  • Guardianship/Conservatorship Timeline
  • Guardianship/Conservatorship Best Practices

  22 Person Limit due to capacity

  Presenters:  Nicholas R. Thompson, William & Mary Elder & Disability Law Clinic

  Nick Thompson is currently an adjunct professor of law at William & Mary Law School and is the managing attorney at its Elder & Disability Law Clinic. Nick has managed the Clinic since September 2020. At the Clinic, Nick regularly handles matters related to family and elder and disability law. He primarily represents clients before circuit courts in guardianship and conservatorship matters and counsels clients on estate planning issues. Nick serves on the board of Boaz and Ruth based in Richmond, Virginia. He is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the Richmond Bar Association.

  Nick earned his JD/MBA from William & Mary. After graduating law school, Nick began his legal career as an associate at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP located in Richmond, Virginia. At Hunton, Nick’s practice focused on commercial financing matters across the energy industry. He advised lenders and borrowers in connection with commercial financing matters across a broad range of industries and asset classes, with a particular focus on renewable and conventional energy assets.

  During the fall of 2021, Nick lateralled as an associate at Dechert LLP located in Washington, D.C. At Dechert, Nick represented private equity, private company, and public company clients on mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.

  Number of CLE hours: 2

  Areas of Law:  Guardianship, Contervatorship, Elder Law, DIsability Law

  Must be present at the start of the CLE program until the end in order to receive credit(s).

  Additional Details:
  Please contact bar association staff at (757) 622-3152 or email contact@norfolkportsmouthbar.org if you have any questions.
  
  *Application for approval for this course or program is pending with the Virginia Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board.

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• CLE: "Defending Defamation: The Challenges of Defamation Claims in Virginia"

  • When
    Thursday, October 24, 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse - First Floor Training Room

  Register

  Registration Required!

  October 24, 2024
  NPBA Members: Free
  Not yet NPBA Members: $30.00 (1 CLE Credit)

  Summary:

  1.      What is Defamation in Virginia?
  

  a.      Basic summary of defamation (includes libel and slander)
  b.      Elements of Defamation
  c.       Two primary types of defamation in Virginia:

                                                          i.            Defamation Per Se
                                                         ii.            Defamation Per Quod
  2.      Defamatory Publication
  

  a.      Publication element of defamation
  b.      What qualifies as a publication?
  c.       Intent
  d.      What the statement actually heard and understood by third parties?

  3.      Actionable Statements
  

  e.      Statements must be false.
  f.        Defamatory Sting

                                                          i.            Reputational damage
                                                         ii.            Professional damage

  a.      Defamation Per Se vs Defamation Per Quod

                                                          i.           Rule in Virginia that all defamation is either per se or  per quod.

  4.      Defamation and the First Amendment
  

  g.      Intimately connected.
  h.      Opinion and true statements protected.
  i.        Different standards for public officials, public figures, and private individuals.
  j.        Crucial U.S. Supreme Court Cases

  5.      Defenses to Defamation
  

  k.       Privileges
  i.        Litigation privilege, qualified privilege, statutory privileges.
  l.        Opinion
  m.    Truth
  n.      Innocent Construction
  o.      Ecclesiastical Abstention

  22 Person Limit due to capacity

  Presenter(s):

  Kole F. Donaldson, Attorney, Wolcott Rivers Gates

  Kole F. Donaldson is an attorney with Wolcott Rivers Gates and focuses his practice on civil litigation. Kole received his Juris Doctor from William & Mary Law School in May of 2022 and was admitted to the Virginia Bar in October of 2022. He received his bachelor’s degree in 2019 from Hampden-Sydney College, where he studied history and religion. He joined Wolcott Rivers Gates in 2023. Prior to joining the firm, Kole completed a clerkship at the Norfolk Circuit Court, assisting the Judges with case preparation and court administration. He interacted daily with judges, court staff, attorneys, and litigants, making him comfortable with the litigation process, court procedure, and effective methods of preparation for civil hearings and trials.

  The Hon. Everett A. Martin, Jr., Norfolk Circuit Court

  Judge Martin joined the VBA member in 1990 and is a former VBA Board of Governors judicial representative. He also has served on the Civil Litigation Section Council and as vice chair of the Judicial Section.

  The Carrico award honors the longest serving chief justice and longest serving member in the history of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Recipients - one a year - have "demonstrated exceptional leadership in the administration of the courts while exhibiting the traits of integrity, courtesy, impartiality, wisdom and humility." All appellate, circuit and district court judges are eligible for nomination.

  Judge Martin became a judge of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in 1990 and was elected as a judge in Norfolk Circuit Court in 1995. Earlier, he was in private practice and served as an assistant commonwealth's attorney in Norfolk.

  In addition to his contributions to the VBA, the award recipient has served on the Supreme Court's Ad Hoc Committee on Local Rules, which produced the uniform scheduling order and Rule 4:15; the Circuit Court Forms Committee; and the Law Council of his undergrad and law school alma mater, Washington and Lee University. He also serves on the invitation-only Boyd-Graves Conference.

  As a judge, he has presided over more than 450 jury trials, contributed to legal scholarship in Virginia law journals, served for nearly 30 years as a bar examiner for the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners, and participated in numerous conferences and educational programs, including at VBA events.

  Judge Martin received the Harry L. Carrico Outstanding Career Service Award May 11 at the annual meeting of the Judicial Conference of Virginia.

  Number of CLE hours: 1 Ethics

  Areas of Law:  Tort Defense/Civil Litigation

  Must be present at the start of the CLE program until the end in order to receive credit(s).

  *Application for approval for this course or program is pending with the Virginia Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board.

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• YLS Fall Social

  • When
    Sunday, November 03, 2024
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Judge Hall's Home

  Register

  Time TBD - More Information to come.

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• NPBA Executive Committee Meeting

  • When
    Wednesday, November 13, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

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• Monthly Luncheon

  • When
    Thursday, November 21, 2024
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courtbouse Rotunda
  • Spaces left
    55

  Register

  November 21, 2024

  12:00pm to 1:00pm

  Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members

  Registration includes boxed lunch and water.

  Join us for the monthly luncheon meeting on November 21, 2024, More Information to Come!

  
  

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• CLE - More Information to Come

  • When
    Thursday, November 21, 2024
  •  
    1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse First Floor Training Room
  • Spaces left
    22

  Register

  November 21, 2024

  1:15pm to 2:15pm

  Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members

  
  

  
  

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• NPBA Executive Committee Meeting (Tentative)

  • When
    Wednesday, December 11, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

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• NPBA Executive Committee Meeting

  • When
    Wednesday, January 08, 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

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• Monthly Luncheon

  • When
    Thursday, January 16, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse Rotunda
  • Spaces left
    55

  Register

  January 16, 2025

  12:00pm to 1:00pm
  

  Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members

  Registration includes boxed lunch and water.

  Join us for the monthly luncheon meeting on January 16, 2025, More Information to Come!

  
  

  
  

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• CLE - More Information to Come

  • When
    Thursday, January 16, 2025
  •  
    1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse First Floor Training Room
  • Spaces left
    22

  Register

  January 16, 2025

  1:15pm to 2:15pm

  Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members

  
  

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• NPBA Executive Committee Meeting

  • When
    Wednesday, February 12, 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

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• Monthly Luncheon

  • When
    Thursday, February 20, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse Rotunda
  • Spaces left
    55

  Register

  February 20, 2025

  12:00pm to 1:00pm
  

  Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members

  Registration includes boxed lunch and water.

  Join us for the monthly luncheon meeting on February 20, 2025, More Information to Come!

  
  

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• CLE - More Information to Come

  • When
    Thursday, February 20, 2025
  •  
    1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse First Floor Training Room
  • Spaces left
    22

  Register

  February 20, 2025

  1:15pm to 2:15pm

  Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members

  
  

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• NPBA Executive Committee Meeting

  • When
    Wednesday, March 12, 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

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• Monthly Luncheon

  • When
    Thursday, March 20, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse Rotunda
  • Spaces left
    55

  Register

  March 20, 2025

  12:00pm to 1:00pm
  

  Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members

  Registration includes boxed lunch and water.

  Join us for the monthly luncheon meeting on March 20, 2025, More Information to Come!

  
  

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• CLE - More Information to Come

  • When
    Thursday, March 20, 2025
  •  
    1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
  • Location
    Norfolk Courthouse First Floor Training Room
  • Spaces left
    22

  Register

  March 20, 2025

  1:15pm to 2:15pm

  Free to NPBA members; $30 non-members

  
  

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• NPBA Executive Committee Meeting

  • When
    Wednesday, April 09, 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

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• 27th Annual Bench Bar Conference CLE: Pending

  • When
    Thursday, April 10, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Hilton Norfolk The Main, 100 E. Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

  SAVE THE DATE! - More Information to Come!

  27th Annual NPBA Bench Bar Conference 2025
  April 10, 2025
  Hilton Norfolk The Main
  
  11:00 a.m. Registration Opens
  

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