2026 VAELA UnProgram
March 4 (Wednesday) to March 6 (Friday), 2026
The Virginian Hotel
712 Church Street
Lynchburg, Virginia
Please be advised of our Cancellation Policy.
For any questions, contact Carly Mahoney at carlyjude@vaela.org.
AGENDA AS OF 10.13.25
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Beginner Seminar
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Raising the Bar: Mentoring for Attorneys (apply for wellness credit) – Jack W. ('JB') Burtch, Jr., Esq. Eleanor Rose Madison
3:30 pm – 3:45 pm Break Raising the Bar: Mentoring for Attorneys (continued) – Jack W. ('JB') Burtch, Jr., Esq. Eleanor Rose Madison
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Welcome Reception Sponsored by Cumberland Trust (Registered attorneys & paralegals only) Grand Ballroom
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7:45 am – 9:00 am Breakfast; Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors Grand Ballroom
9:10 am – 9:30 am Welcome by Gorham (Rory) Clark, VAELA President & Introduction of Guest Speaker Sponsors Million Dollar Solution & Minnesota Lawyers Mutual l Grand Ballroom
9:30 am – 10:30 am The State of the Long-term Care Economy Today – Howard Gleckman Grand Ballroom
10:30 am – 10:45 am Break; Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors Grand Ballroom
10:45 am – 11:45 am Continue The State of the Long-term Care Economy Today – Howard Gleckman Grand Ballroom
11:45 am – 12:45 pm Lunch Sponsored by Elder Tree Care Consultants & West Financial Services Grand Ballroom
12:45 pm – 1:00 pm Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors Grand Ballroom
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Commissioner of Accounts Panel - Anne Heishman (Fairfax), Rebecca Hryvniak (Albermarle), Lelia Winget-Hernandez (Powhatan) Grand Ballroom
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm Break; Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors Grand Ballroom
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm Presentation by Laurie MacNaughton?, Reception Sponsor Grand Ballroom
3:15 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.)
Topic 1 Jessie Janet Wilson
Topic 2 Mary Ball Washington
Topic 3 Jane Randolph Jefferson
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Cocktail Reception Sponsored by Atlantic Coast Mortgage??? (Registered attorneys and paralegals only) Grand Ballroom
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7:30 am – 8:50 am Breakfast; Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors Grand Ballroom
9:00 am – 10:00 am Breakout Session I
Beginner Track: Guardianship Basics – Sarah Aviles, Esq. VA Exec. Boardroom
Public Speaking for the Elder Law Attorney – Cathy Stapleton Jessie Janet Wilson
Fiduciary litigation and the development of the Morgan theory of presumptions under 64.2-454.1 - Michael Sharp, Esq. Mary Ball Washington
‘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. Eleanor Rose Madison
Long term care insurance – Josh Lowe & Tracy Meade Jane Randolph Jefferson
10:00 am – 10:20 am Break; Visit Sponsors & Exhibitors Grand Ballroom
10:20 am – 11:20 am Breakout Session II
Wealth tax planning (advanced) - Mario Pizzamigilio, Esq., CPA, CFP® Jane Randolph Jefferson
Top 10 Ways to Implement AI in Your Practice – Michael Winget-Hernandez Exec. Boardroom
Trust Taxation for the Elder Law Attorney - Nathan Olansen, J.D., LL.M., CPA, AEP® Eleanor Rose Madison
Human Resources and Talent Management side of Elder Law - Julieanne Steinbacher, CELA, ACTEC and/or Dominic Loffredo, SHRM-CP, Kolbe Certified Consultant Mary Ball Washington
Advanced GAL Issues – Ross Hart, Esq., and Cecelia Little Jessie Janet Wilson
11:30 am – 12:30 pm Breakout Session III
Use of irrevocable Medicaid/VA asset protection trusts in reverse mortgage transactions - Ryan Reyes, Esq. Mary Ball Washington
Top 10 Ways to Implement AI in Your Practice – Michael Winget-Hernandez Jane Randolph Jefferson
Long term care insurance – Josh Lowe & Tracy Meade Exec. Boardroom
Trust Taxation for the Elder Law Attorney - Nathan Olansen, J.D., LL.M., CPA, AEP® Eleanor Rose Madison
‘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. Jessie Janet Wilson
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm – Lunch Sponsored by ASHBER & Members Trust Company??? Grand Ballroom
1:30 pm – 1:50 pm Visit Sponsors and Exhibitors Grand Ballroom
1:50 pm – 2:50 pm Breakout Session IV
Human Resources and Talent Management side of Elder Law - Julieanne Steinbacher, CELA, ACTEC and/or Dominic Loffredo, SHRM-CP, Kolbe Certified Consultant Ethics – Joyvan Malbon-Griffin, Esq. Jessie Janet Wilson
Use of irrevocable Medicaid/VA asset protection trusts in reverse mortgage transactions - Ryan Reyes, Esq. Mary Ball Washington
Clients, Conflicts and Confidences – Joyvan Malbon-Griffin, Esq. Eleanor Rose Madison
Killing Marketing – Gorham (Rory) Clark Exec. Boardroom
Public Speaking for the Elder Law Attorney – Cathy Stapleton Jane Randolph Jefferson
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Breakout Session V
Wealth tax planning (advanced) - Mario Pizzamigilio, Esq., CPA, CFP® Eleanor Rose Madison
Fiduciary litigation and the development of the Morgan theory of presumptions under 64.2-454.1 - Michael Sharp, Esq. Mary Ball Washington
Public Speaking for the Elder Law Attorney – Cathy Stapleton Jane Randolph Jefferson
Advanced GAL Issues – Ross Hart, Esq., and Cecelia Little Jessie Janet Wilson
Continuing Education Credit: The 2026 UnProgram has been approved for TBD MCLE credits and up to TBD GAL (adults) continuing education credits.
Lodging: There is a group block that has not been opened yet. You may call The Virginian Hotel Front Desk team at (434) 329-3200 x 0 for availability once opened.
Alternative Lodging Options: Craddock Terry Hotel and Lynchburg Grand Hotel
VAELA thanks the following for their support of the 2026 UnProgram!
REGISTRATION FORM
Please fill out the form below and select your preferred breakout sessions for the Friday event.
Please be advised that session selections are considered final and may not be changed on the day of the event.
After submitting the form below, you will be redirected to an AffiniPay page to securely complete your registration.