2026 VAELA UnProgram

Wednesday, March 4 - Friday, March 6

The Virginian Hotel

712 Church Street

Lynchburg, Virginia

Please note the Cancellation Policy.

Please contact Carly Mahoney with any questions - carlyjude@vaela.org

Agenda as of 11.15.26

Wednesday, March 3rd (VAELA Members Only)

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Raising the Bar: Mentoring for Attorneys – Jack W. (‘JB’) Burtch, Jr., Esq.E (Approved for 1.0 MCLE and 1.0 GAL credit)

3:30 pm – 3:45 pm Break

5:30pm – 6:30 pm: Welcome Reception Sponsored by - (Registered attorneys & paralegals only)

Thursday, March 5th

7:45 am – 9:00 am Breakfast; Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors

9:10 am – 9:30 am Welcome by Gorham (Rory) Clark, VAELA President & Introduction of Guest Speaker Sponsors The Million Dollar Solution & Minnesota Lawyers Mutual

9:30 am – 10:30 am “The State of the Long-term Care Economy Today” - Howard Gleckman(Approved for 1.5 MCLE credits and1.0 GAL credit)

10:30 am – 10:45 am Break; Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors

10:45 am – 11:45 pm Continue - “The State of the Long-term Care Economy Today -Howard Gleckman (Approved for 1.5 MCLE and 1.5 GAL credits)

11:45 pm – 12:45 pm Lunch Sponsored by ElderTree Care Management and West Financial Services

1:00 pm – 1:15 pm Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors

1:15 pm – 2:45 pm Commissioner of Accounts Panel - Anne Heishman (Farifax), Rebecca Hyrvniak (Albermarle), Lelia Wiget-Hernandez (Powhatan) - (Approved for 1.5 MCLE and 1.5 GAL credits)

2:45 pm - 3:00 pm Break; Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm Presentation by Laurie MacNaughton, Cocktail Reception Sponsor Atlantic Coast Mortgage

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm UnProgram Breakout Discussions (Breakouts will be moderated by VAELA members. Moderators will not present on the topic, rather they will help facilitate discussion among the group. Breakouts do not qualify for CLE credit.)

  • Guardianship/Conservatorship & Special Needs Planning

  • Practice Management

  • LGBTQ Estate Planning

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Cocktail Reception Sponsored by Atlantic Coast Mortgage

Friday, March 6

7:30 am – 8:50 am Breakfast; Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors

9:00 am – 10:00 am Breakout Session I

·        Beginner Track: Guardianship Basics – Sarah Aviles, Esq. VA Exec.

·        Public Speaking for the Elder Law Attorney – Cathy Stapleton

·        Fiduciary litigation and the development of the Morgan theory of presumptions under 64.2-454.1  - Michael Sharp, Esq.

·        ‘Til Death Do We Part (Again):  Addressing post-divorce estate planning issues in Pre- and Post-Marital Agreements, Property Settlement Agreements, and Divorce Decrees - Thomas Repczynski, Esq.

Long term care insurance – Josh Lowe & Tracy Meade

10:00 am – 10:20 am Break; Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors

10:20 am – 11:20 am Breakout Session II

•Wealth tax planning (Advanced) - Mario Pizzamigllio, Esq., CPA, CFP

•Top 10 Ways to Implement AI in Your Practice - Michael Wiget- Hernandez

•Trust Taxation for the Elder Law Attorney - Nathan Olansen, J.D., LL.M., CPA, AEP

•Human Resources and Talent Management side of Elder Law - Julieanne Steinbacher, CELA, ACTEC and/or Dominic Loffredo

• Advanced GAL Issues - Ross Hart, Esq., and Cecilia Little (Approved for 1.0 MCLE and 1.0 GAL credit)

11:30 am – 12:30 pm Breakout Session III

• Use of Irrevocable Medicaid/V asset protection trusts in reserve mortgage transactions - Ryan Reyes, Esq.

• Top 10 Ways to Implement AI in Your Practice - Michael Wiget-Hernandez

•Long Term Care Insurance - Josh Lowe & Tracy Meade

• ‘Til Death Do We Part (Again): Addressing post-divorce estate planning issues in Pre- and Post-Marital Agreements, Property Settlement Agreements, and Divorce Decrees - Thomas Repczynski, Esq. (Approved for 1.0 MCLE credit)

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch Sponsored by Members Trust Company and ASHBER

1:30 pm – 1:50 pm Visit Sponsors and Exhibitors

1:50 pm – 2:50 pm Breakout Session IV

• Human Resources and Talent Management side of Elder Law - Julienne Steinbacher, CELA, ACTEC and Dominic Loffredo

• Use of Irrevocable Medicaid/VA assset protection trusts in reverse mortgage transactions - Ryan Reyes, Esq.

• Clients, Conflicts and Confidences - Joyvan Malbon-Griffin, Esq. Strategic

• Killing Marketing -- Gorham (Rory) Clark

•Public Speaking for the Elder Law Attorney - Cathy Stapleton

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Breakout Session V

• Wealth tax planning (advanced) - Mario Pizzamiglio, Esq., CPA, CFP

• Fiduciary Litigation and the Development of the Morgan Theory of Presumptions under 64.2-454.1 - Michael Sharp, Esq.

• Public Speaking for the Elder Law Attorney - Cathy Stapleton

• Advanced GAL Issues - Ross Hart, Esq., and Cecelia Little

Continuing Education Credit: The 2026 UnProgram has been approved for 1 MCLE credits and up to GAL (adults) continuing education credits.

Lodging: There is a group block.  You may call The Virginian Hotel Front Desk team at (434) 329-3200 x 0 for availability.

Alternative Lodging Options: Craddock Terry Hotel and Lynchburg Grand Hotel