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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.