The Rocket Docket: Trying Cases in the Eastern District of Virginia

Why Attend?

• Understand the rules applicable in the Eastern District.
• Explore best practices with pointers from experienced litigators.
• Hear what the judges want—and don’t want.

This long-running seminar is a must-attend event for any attorney practicing in the Eastern District of Virginia. Learn how the streamlined practices and local rules make this district consistently one of the fastest trial dockets in the United States. At this program, you will hear directly from the judges who try your cases and from some of the area’s finest litigators as they discuss all relevant aspects of federal trial practice. Throughout the seminar, panelists will offer insight and practice tips to help you achieve the optimum outcome for your clients. The rules and procedures unique to the Eastern District will be clearly highlighted—those aspects that insiders know and follow and that outsiders ignore at their peril.

Both experienced and new attorneys will benefit from the opportunity to explore the most successful strategies when trying cases in these courts. Ask any of your colleagues who practice in the Eastern District: it is too late to learn the court’s rules once your case starts; you have to know them now. Don’t miss this opportunity—it will be a morning well spent!

Registration Deadlines:

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation/transfer requests will be honored until 5:00 p.m. the day preceding the seminar. You will, however, be charged $90 if you cancel or transfer your registration to a different seminar after the link to the materials has been e-mailed by Virginia CLE^®.

Full refunds or transfers are available up to two days after a webcast in the unlikely event that you experience technical difficulties.

Dietary Restrictions: If you have dietary restrictions and are attending the seminar in person, please email dwoodland@vacle.org. 

MCLE Credit Caveat: The MCLE Board measures credits by the time you spend in attendance. If you enter a seminar late or leave it early, or both, you must reflect those adjustments accurately in the credits you report on your credit reporting form. A code will be given at the end of the seminar, which must be written on your MCLE form.

Can’t Attend?

E-mail distance_ed@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program is made available as an online or USB seminar.
E-mail publications@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program’s seminar materials are made available for sale.

Course Schedule

• Q&A will be handled via chat room for Webcast attendees.
• Q&A will be handled via e-mail for telephone seminar attendees.

Judges and Magistrate Judges

Richmond (November 17)

Hon. Mark R. Colombell, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia / Richmond

Hon. David J. Novak, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia / Richmond

Hon. Robert E. Payne, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia / Richmond

Alexandria (December 3)

Hon. William B. Porter, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia / Alexandria

Hon. Anthony J. Trenga, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia / Alexandria

Faculty

Richmond (November 17)

Maya Eckstein, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP / Richmond

Ryan Frei, McGuireWoods LLP / Richmond

Brendan O’Toole, Williams Mullen / Richmond

Timothy J. St. George, Troutman Pepper LLP / Richmond

Alexandria (December 3)

Thomas Connally, Hogan Lovells US LLP / Tysons

Ellen Marcus, Costin & Marcus PLLC / Alexandria

Sona Rewari, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP / Washington, DC

Mary C. Zinsner, Troutman Pepper LLP / Tysons