VAPA’S 15th Biennial Statewide Conference (2026)/Jurisprudence and Why Judges Rule the Way They Do

Tidewater Paralegal Association

Session One:

I. The Virgina Family Law Coalition: Who is advocating for issues impacting family law practice?
a. What is the coalition?
b. How does it work?
c. How can you participate?

II. 2026 Legislative Update: What changed?
a. Overview of legislation impacting family law practice
b. Practical tips and practice implications

III. Legislative History:
a. Where to find it?
b. How do I read it?

IV. Looking Ahead: What can we expect in the future?
a. Predicted new legislation
b. Questions

Session Agenda: Session-7-Virginia-Family-Law-Legislative-Updates.zip

Learning Objectives:

Learning about Virginia Family Law Legislation and how it effects cases
What is the Virgina Family Law Coalition and how does it work
Overview of recent legislative changes and how is predicted to take place in the future.

Session Two:

This session will focus on how courts sometimes use ethics in their rulings more than following the rule of law.
We will discuss how courts have become a critical part of the public policymaking process and whether they should be exercising discretion to make decisions which have far-reaching consequences in terms of the distribution of benefits and burdens within society.
Furthermore, this session will discuss Supreme Court Justices’ jurisprudence and what guides them in ruling the way they do. We will review some landmark Supreme Court cases and how Supreme Court Justices can be guided by ethics more than the law.

Session Agenda: VAPA-Jurisprudence-October-2026-Part-1.zip

Learning Objectives:

Learn about how rulings are made by the court and the ethical concerns
Learn how the courts have become part of the policymaking process and whether they should be exercising discretion to make decisions
Learn about Supreme Court Justices’ jurisprudence and what guides them in ruling the way they do

CLE Hours = 3 (2-Legal Ethics, 1-Substantive)