2019 Young Lawyers Division Chair Jennifer L. Ligon presents the VBA Young Lawyers Division Year in Review for 2019. This highlights the successes and initiatives of The Virginia Bar Association's YLD.

1. YLD 2019
Year-in-Review
JENNIFER L. LIGON
2019 YLD CHAIR

2. 2019 Goals
 Collaborate with key stakeholders throughout the
state to deepen understanding of the YLD, to
motivate new lawyers to join, and to re-energize
existing members to stay active:
• The YLD collaborated with the Virginia State
Bar’s Young Lawyers Conference to host two
Wills for Heroes programs, collectively serving
53 clients (33 first responders and 20
spouses). The May 2019 Wills for Heroes
event received national recognition from the
American Bar Association for its service to the
public.
• In addition, several members of the YLD’s
Executive Board collaborated with Elizabeth
Derrico, our strategic planning consultant, to
discuss ways in which the VBA can continue
to invest in and support the YLD.

3. 2019 Goals
• The YLD’s eight Law School Councils were
exceedingly active, enrolling 50% more law
students in the VBA in 2019 than in 2018 (238 in
2019 as of early December versus 156 in 2018).
o Lunch and learns
o March madness parties
o Hikes to the tops of mountains with trusty
leadership
This is a great step toward connecting law
students and young lawyers and building
relationships that benefit young professionals and
the VBA as a whole.

4. Increased YLD age-out to 40 years
 The YLD was recognized on a national level in
August, earning four Awards of Achievement from
the American Bar Association (winning in all
categories for which we applied):
• Single project – Service to the Bar: VBA YLD
Spring Meeting CLEs
• Single project – Service to the Public: Wills for
Heroes
• Newsletter: Opening Statement (fourth year in
a row)
• Comprehensive (a maximum of five projects
can be submitted in this category)
o Law School Wellness Summit
o Virginia Hispanic Chamber Clinics
o Various Law School Council events
o Model Judiciary Program
More Successes in 2019…
Earned 4 ABA Awards of Achievement
Well-attended spring meeting in
Richmond and fall meeting in Roanoke

5. YLD Awards at the Banquet
 The Emerson G. Spies Award recognizes an
individual for enthusiasm, loyalty, and
dedication during a given year. Awarded to
Craig Hoovler
• Joined Executive Board last year
• Took ownership of Legislative Committee
• Attended our meetings with enthusiasm,
consistently bringing new ideas to the table
• Proposed increasing the YLD’s age-out age
from 37 to 40
• Proposed regional social chairs, which
we’ve since implemented
 The Sandra P. Thompson Award recognizes an
individual for outstanding work and long-term
service. Awarded to Andrew Stockment

6. Looking Ahead to 2020
Chair: Madelaine Kramer, counsel at Sands Anderson, PC in McLean
• Focuses her practice on litigation
• Lifeguard and swim instructor in prior life
At the Executive Board meeting, we will vote on the nominating committee’s
candidates:
• Chair-Elect: Frank Cragle, partner at Hirschler in Richmond
◦ Focuses his practice on corporate disputes
◦ Has been filmed in two movies – Spielberg’s Lincoln, and Loving (winner of the
2016 Cannes film festival), where he ironically played an attorney, and two TV
shows – TURN and Mercy Street
• Secretary/Treasurer: Kristen Jurjevich, partner at Pender & Coward in Virginia Beach
◦ Won 2019 Emerson G. Spies Award

7. Looking Ahead to 2020
• Welcomed two members to our Executive Board
◦ Alicha Grubb –Southwest Division Representative
 Associate at Gentry Locke in Roanoke (commercial litigation)
◦ Hetal Challa – Tidewater Division Representative
 Has her own family law and mediation firm in Virginia Beach

8. 2020 YLD Executive Board
Madelaine A.
Kramer
Franklin R. Cragle Kristen R. Jurjevich Jennifer L.
Ligon
R. Patrick
Bolling
Graham K.
Bryant
Hetal Challa Emily GomesJoseph A.
Figueroa
Craig A. William D. Prince, Michael W. Daniel R. Sullivan