This registration form is for Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–Noon ET
This program is also available on:
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 2:00–4:00 p.m. ET
Monday, February 1, 2027, 10:00 a.m.–Noon ET
| MCLE Credit: | 2.0 |
| Live-Interactive Credit: | 2.0 (all dates, all formats) |
Get practical bench-driven guidance:
Governing Virginia authorities to feature:
Rural land disputes often involve far more than real estate—they encompass family legacies, estate administration, and complex questions of title that can span generations. This practical program equips attorneys with the knowledge and tools to navigate the unique legal issues that arise when land, probate, and litigation intersect.
Through an integrated examination of litigation, transactional, probate, and estate planning perspectives, faculty will follow rural land matters from client intake through courtroom resolution. Topics include partition actions, heirs property, boundary and access disputes, estate sale proceedings, title issues, and practice before commissioners of accounts. Attendees will gain practical insight into developing effective strategies, preparing persuasive pleadings and proposed orders, and avoiding common procedural pitfalls.
The program also features judicial perspectives on the information courts find most helpful when evaluating rural land and estate matters. Without addressing pending cases or offering advisory opinions, judges will discuss common deficiencies in filings, effective advocacy techniques, and local practice considerations that can improve the presentation and resolution of these cases.
Participants will leave with practical checklists, sample pleadings, drafting tips, and other practice-ready resources they can immediately incorporate into their Virginia rural law practice.
Registration Deadlines:
| Webcast: | 10 minutes prior to seminar. If you register for a webcast the day of the seminar, your e-mail receipt will include a link to launch the seminar and download the materials. |
| Telephone: | 10 minutes prior to seminar Call (434) 979-8253 to register up to one hour prior to the seminar |
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation/transfer requests will be honored until 5:00 p.m. the day preceding the seminar. You will, however, be charged $40 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.
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.
Private recording of this program is prohibited.
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.
| 10:00 | Rural Law in Virginia: Land, Legacy, and Litigation |
| 12:00 | Adjourn |
Hon. Joseph M. Teefey, Jr., Chief Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit of Virginia / Petersburg
Hon. J. William Watson Jr., 10th Judicial Circuit of Virginia / Halifax
Robert E. Hawthorne, Hawthorne & Hawthorne / Blackstone
Hon. Joseph M. Teefey, Jr., Chief Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit of Virginia / Petersburg
Joseph M. Teefey, Jr., is the Chief Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit comprising the City of Petersburg and the Counties of Dinwiddie, Nottoway, Amelia and Powhatan. He began as a Circuit Court Judge in 2015, and he was elected Chief Judge in 2022. Prior to assuming his duties as a judge, he practiced for three years in the Halifax, Mecklenburg, and Lunenburg Public Defender’s Office. He and his wife, Brooke, founded Teefey & Teefey, P.C. in Nottoway County, and he engaged in a general practice for 17 years with emphasis in criminal defense and family law. He served as a judge pro tempore, commissioner in chancery, assistant commissioner of accounts, guardian ad litem, and lead counsel in 27 capital murder cases.
Judge Teefey has instructed or presented at the Judicial Conference, New Judge Orientation, Mentor Judge Training, Harry Carrico Professionalism Faculty, Professionalism for Law Students Faculty, University of Richmond Trial Advocacy Competition, Liberty University Law School Moot Court Competition, University of the District of Columbia Capital Defense Symposium, Virginia Bar Association Capital Defense Workshop Planning Committee and Faculty, Planning Committee for Circuit Court Capital Case Training, Court Appointed Special Advocate training, Girl’s State Moot Court training, Boy Scouts of America Law Merit Badge Instructor, University of Richmond Summer Intern Program, Circuit Court Judge Mentor, JLARC Committee Studying CASA, Community Corrections Mapping Committee, Board Member of the Piedmont Court Services, and OES Committee Studying Statewide Case Numbering.
Judge Teefey graduated Hampden-Sydney College with a BA in Political Science and the District of Columbia School of Law with a JD, cum laude, where he served as the Managing Editor of the Law Review. He is the recipient of the Washington & Lee University School of Law Bill Geimer Award for Capital Defense Representation.
Judge Teefey resides in Amelia County with his wife, Brooke Teefey, who is a 32-year dedicated guardian ad litem. They have four adult children, three of whom are triplets. They enjoy their children, traveling Europe, outdoor time, gardening, walking their Newfoundland Dog, and any athletic event watched or played.
Hon. J. William Watson Jr., 10th Judicial Circuit of Virginia / Halifax
Judge J. William Watson Jr. was elected as judge of the Circuit Court for the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Virginia in April 2019. He currently is serving on the advisory committee to the Forms Committee of the Virginia Supreme Court. He is a past representative and member of the Executive Committee of the judicial Conference of Virginia. He is certified as a Moderator to newly appointed Circuit Court judges.
Judge Watson was a founding partner of Watson, Nelson, Morrison, and Miller, specializing in litigation, with emphasis on personal injury, criminal defense, and commercial contracts. He was appointed judge to the General District Court in August 2009. He served on both versions of the Virginia Supreme Court’s weighted cast load study and on the advisory committee to the committee on District Courts.
Robert E. Hawthorne, Hawthorne & Hawthorne / Blackstone
Robert E. Hawthorne, Jr. has been a partner in Hawthorne & Hawthorne, PC since January 1994. His practice concentrates in the areas of real estate transactions and litigation, as well as estate planning and administration. He has experience in fiduciary accounting for trusts and estates and has served as the Commissioner of Accounts of Lunenburg County since 2000. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in 1990 and graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1993. Mr. Hawthorne was licensed as a lawyer by the Virginia State Bar shortly thereafter. He has based his legal practice in Southside Virginia since that time. Mr. Hawthorne currently serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the Real Property Section of the Virginia State Bar. He formerly served as the President of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Bar Council and as the Chairman of the Lunenburg County Bar Association. In addition to practicing law, Mr. Hawthorne operates a family farm with fields in both Brunswick County and Lunenburg County. He primarily raises tobacco and blueberries. Off the farm and outside of his law practice, he serves on several non-profit foundation boards.
