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Northern virginia black attorneys association

www.novabaa.org



Upcoming events

    • March 31, 2024
    • Virtual
    Register

    "PICTURE THIS, ALEXANDRIA 2024...."

    Your Aunt Cleo just called your mom to let her know that Uncle Wilbur and Aunt Ernestine's house caught on fire, and they believe the contractor used shoddy materials. "Somehow" the fact that you're a hotshot lawyer came up, and they want you to take care of it, and restore the dignity to the family name.  BUT, you don't handle these types of cases, and desperately want to refer someone good to Uncle Wilbur and Aunt Ernestine, because everyone knows that you will not know peace until Mom tells Aunt Cleo that "it's handled."  (I'm sorry, am I venting - I think my PTSD is kicking in...)

    IF ONLY there were a handy dandy NOVABAA Referral / Membership Directory for members to consult whenever they needed to refer a case to a quality member of our happy little home. Well the wait is over!  

    On behalf of our Membership Committee, and Chair Veronica Holmes, I am pleased to announce that NOVABAA is in the process of putting together a PDF Directory that will list our members, their practice areas (up to 5), and licenses in other states, along with other important tidbits.  Now, you're probably thinking: "Don't we already have something similar on the website?"  Yes.  Yes, we do...Kinda. However, that information is really intended for outsiders seeking legal help, and not particularly suited for our own NOVABAA family seeking to refer their Dear Aunt Ernestine (who can't figure out how to log on to the website anyways) to a fine NOVABAA attorney.

    We hope that you are as excited as this as we are.  Our Membership Committee has some terrific ideas, and we are really excited about rolling out "The NOVABAA Pages" in Late April / Early May.  This will be absolutely FREE to NOVABAA Members*!  This is also, absolutely voluntary - in other words, nobody will be listed in the directory unless they want to be listed.  

    * - if you are not a NOVABAA Member, pay your dues, and then it'll be free for you too! :) 

    In addition to ifnorationa bout your practice, you are free to add your Birthday (month and day), and other information such as College, Law School, Spouse's name, etc..  I probably know the most current NOVABAA members, and I know for certain that there are spouse's and children of NOVABAA members that I've seen time and time again, but can't remember their name(s) - and I'm too embarrassed to ask!  Hopefully this will help.

    We intend to update / refresh the Membership Directory annually, and we hope that this is a benefit that excites you as much as it does, us!  If you are interested in having your information published in the Directory, please click here!  

    The cut off time to submit your information into the Form will be March 31st.  We hope to have the directory up and out to our dues paid members within one month after that.

    • April 06, 2024
    • 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    • Westfield's Marriott - 14750 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151
    Register

    Prince William County's Bench Bar Dinner Dance


    Afternoon Saints,

    This is a reminder to all that plan on attending the Prince William County  Bar Association's Annual Bench Bar Dinner Dance, NOVABAA will be sponsoring tables (depending on the number of members that sign up).  

    The event will be held at the Westfield's Marriott located at 14750 Conference Center Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151.  Many of you may already plan on attending, however, if you would like to sit with your brothers and sisters in NOVABAA, please confirm at your registration (with the PWCBA, not NOVABAA) that you plan on sitting with NOVABAA, so they can place you at our table.

    This is always a fun event, and while it is not ours - we are advertising the event so that we can have an idea of the cost of sponsorship.  See you there!

    Rex

    • April 20, 2024
    • 9:30 AM
    • Silver Eagle Group - 21550 Beaumeade Circle, Ashburn VA 20147
    Register

    NOVABAA's Day at the Range


    Good Afternoon Saints,

    NOVABAA is once again hosting a day at the Range!  This year's event will be held at Silver Eagle Group, located at 21550 Beaumeade Circle, Ashburn VA 20147.  

    Like last year's, this year's event will be two fold.  First, will be an Introduction to Handguns Course, from 9:30am to 1:00pm.  This will include time on the range as well as a classroom component.  The second course, will be for those seeking a Concealed Carry Permit, and that course will be from 2pm to 6pm, that same afternoon.

    Each course is $150, so if you planned to attend both, it would be $300.  The class sizes are small and limited to 10 per session.  So if you are interested, please RSVP sooner than later.  Once we receive your RSVP, we will connect you with the proper people.  Granted the event isn't until April 20th, which is a Saturday, but don't wait until the last minute.  

    We hope that this event is one that will foster the type of environment where one may ask questions and get experience that they may not otherwise feel comfortable doing. Similarly, the concealed carry course will also provide the type of opportunity and environment to obtain your permit.

    Note: The payment will be made directly to the Silver Eagle Group.  NOVABAA will not collect any money.   Additionally, everyone must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident to receive Firearms training.  This is an ITAR requirement, and not Silver Eagle's. 

    • April 23, 2024
    • 7:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The Art of Structuring Your Fee, and Getting Your Clients to Happily Pay it!

    NOVABAA is delighted to present the inimitable David P. Baugh in another CLE presentation to the Saints.  David Baugh has been there, done that, and got the t-shirt.  He has had the benefit for over 40 years of trial practice, and he wishes to present to us the art of building confidence from the outset with prospective clients, and the things that he wishes he knew in the beginning of his practice that he knows now, to ensure that prospective Clients happily pay his fee.

    One hour of CLE Credit is pending, and we anticipate furnishing those details to dues-paid members once it is approved.  This presentation will be free to dues-paid members, and if you'd like for it to be free, then pay your dues and it'll be free for you too!

    • May 02, 2024
    • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    NOVABAA's CLE Committee is pleased to announce our CLE on the Do's and Don'ts of Fee Agreements!

    When's the last time that you reviewed your Fee Agreement?  Have any LEOs regarding Fee Agreements come out since then?  Have the rules on Fee Agreements been modified in any way since you borrowed that language that you're using?  You don't know, do you?  

    Well today's your lucky day, NOVABAA Members! Seth Guggenheim worked at the Virginia State Bar as Assistant Ethics Counsel, and Senior Bar Counsel for close to 20 years.  He has seen it all, and can answer your unasked questions.  "Is this provision, appropriate?," "Does this agreement protect me?," "is my language adequate?"  Well wonder no more, Saints!  Seth will be presenting NOVABAA with a CLE Presentation on Fee Agreements that is sure to answer most, if not all of your questions.  Lay awake at night, no longer, Saints!

    Seriously, many attorneys have a "set it and forget it" approach to their Fee Agreements, and only return to the language when circumstances require it.  We hope that you find this presentation is as interesting to you as it is to us.  Given the substantial number of small firm and solo attorneys within our membership, I hope that I see all of our younger attorneys, solo, AND small firm attorneys in virtual attendance.

    The CLE presentation is FREE for ALL NOVABAA MEMBERS*, and I encourage everyone to dust off their engagement fee agreements and come with questions.  This is an excellent opportunity for us to ask questions that we probably have been meaning to get answers to for some time.  We will be applying for one hour of CLE Credit, and once it is approved, we will forward to our registered members.   The Presentation is May 2nd from 4-5pm, and we hope to see you there! 

    * - if you are not a NOVABAA Member, pay your dues, and then it'll be free for you too! :) 

    • May 13, 2024
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register



    Planning for the End:  The Things You Don't Want to Think About.  Vol. I

    Let's have an honest conversation:  Discussing death is not pleasant.  And neither is discussing the preparation for death.  Lawyers, like anyone else, would prefer to not have these discussions, or even think about the passing of loved ones, and what should happen in the event that they do pass - and they will.

    If you are a member of NOVABAA, the odds are greater than average, that you may be the first attorney in your family.  Similarly, you may be the only attorney that your family and loved ones feel comfortable approaching.  The purpose of this CLE Presentation is to give the VERY basic tools to each of us, and the considerations involved, in ensuring that our loved ones' estates are prepared correctly, and taken care of once they pass.  If you are looking at adding another practice area to your portfolio, this isn't the CLE for you.  If, however, you have aging/ailing parents, loved ones who you want to ensure are protected when they pass on, or if you (an attorney) have a spouse or children, and want to make sure that they are adequately taken care of, then this is the program for you.

    The number of people that die intestate due to the discomfort of having difficult discussions is alarming.  This discussion is split into two separate CLE presentations (credits pending): (A) Volume I deals with estate planning and providing you with the tools to ask the right questions to adequately assist your loved ones; and (B) Volume II deals with estate administration where your loved one has passed, and you are the administrator of their estate, and the things that you need consider in that process.

    Rightfully or wrongfully, as attorneys our family members are going to look to us for guidance as the subject matter experts in these things, presuming that we specialize in estate planning and preparation (even though they obviously know better).  If you've read this far down, it's safe to say that you are not a subject matter expert, and want to at least "do no harm" as you've been deputized into doing the things that you'd rather not be doing.  Truth be told, this is uncomfortable work, and yet so very necessary for us to be conversant on in our families / communities.

    I hope that you decide to participate in this illuminating CLE Presentation, by NOVABAA's own Xue Connnelly, as she assists us in navigating through these very uncomfortable waters.  As with all of our CLE's, it will be free to dues paid members.  If you are having difficulty registering, please feel free to contact me at president@novabaa.org.  If you haven't paid your dues yet, then pay your dues, and it will be free for you, too! :) 

    • May 15, 2024
    • 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia - Alexandria Division
    Register

    NOVABAA's Group Admission to the Eastern District of Virginia

    For the third year in a row, NOVABAA has arranged for a group admission in the Eastern District of Virginia for its members!  One of NOVABAA's founding members, Hon. Rossie D. Alston, has graciously agreed to preside over the admissions. 

    The ceremony will be conducted on May 15th at 10 am in Courtroom 1000 of the Federal Courthouse located at 401 Courthouse Square, in Alexandria, Virginia.   If you are interested, you will need to have two sponsors, and there are MANY willing sponsors in NOVABAA’s ranks to help you out!  If you are in need of a sponsor, please reach out to me and I will help point you in some right directions!

    For more information, please contact me ASAP if you are interested.  Applications will need to be submitted by May 1, 2024.  Complete the RSVP attached to this email, and a confirmation email will arrive with a link to the application and further instructions.

    Should you have any questions, please contact Rex.

    • June 10, 2024
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register



    Planning for the End:  The Things You Don't Want to Think About.  Vol. II

    Let's have an honest conversation:  Discussing death is not pleasant.  And neither is discussing the preparation for death.  Lawyers, like anyone else, would prefer to not have these discussions, or even think about the passing of loved ones, and what should happen in the event that they do pass - and they will.

    If you are a member of NOVABAA, the odds are greater than average, that you may be the first attorney in your family.  Similarly, you may be the only attorney that your family and loved ones feel comfortable approaching.  The purpose of this CLE Presentation is to give the VERY basic tools to each of us, and the considerations involved, in ensuring that our loved ones' estates are prepared correctly, and taken care of once they pass.  If you are looking at adding another practice area to your portfolio, this isn't the CLE for you.  If, however, you have aging/ailing parents, loved ones who you want to ensure are protected when they pass on, or if you (an attorney) have a spouse or children, and want to make sure that they are adequately taken care of, then this is the program for you.

    The number of people that die intestate due to the discomfort of having difficult discussions is alarming.  This discussion is split into two separate CLE presentations (credits pending): (A) Volume I deals with estate planning and providing you with the tools to ask the right questions to adequately assist your loved ones; and (B) Volume II deals with estate administration where your loved one has passed, and you are the administrator of their estate, and the things that you need consider in that process.

    Rightfully or wrongfully, as attorneys our family members are going to look to us for guidance as the subject matter experts in these things, presuming that we specialize in estate planning and preparation (even though they obviously know better).  If you've read this far down, it's safe to say that you are not a subject matter expert, and want to at least "do no harm" as you've been deputized into doing the things that you'd rather not be doing.  Truth be told, this is uncomfortable work, and yet so very necessary for us to be conversant on in our families / communities.

    I hope that you decide to participate in this illuminating CLE Presentation, by NOVABAA's own Xue Connnelly, as she assists us in navigating through these very uncomfortable waters.  As with all of our CLE's, it will be free to dues paid members.  If you are having difficulty registering, please feel free to contact me at president@novabaa.org.  If you haven't paid your dues yet, then pay your dues, and it will be free for you, too! :) 

    • August 22, 2024
    • August 24, 2024
    • Salamander Hotel & Resort
    Register

    SAVE THE DATE!
    August 22nd to 24th
    Salamander Hotel & Resort


    This is simply a Save the Date Reminder for those interested in returning to the Salamander for NOVABAA's Homecoming '24 celebration.  More information will be provided in the near future, however, these will be the dates.

    Most importantly, sponsorship opportunities are available.  We hope that everyone that attended, enjoyed their experience at the 40th!  For those with firms or businesses that would like to sponsor some or all of certain events, you may contact me directly, here to receive our sponsorship material.  We are hoping to get out in front of things much earlier this year now that we have a better sense of what to expect.  Have I mentioned that Sponsorship Opportunities are available?  If you are interested in attending, or learning more, please select RSVP so that our planning committee can have a good idea of the costs involved (this includes if you plan on bringing a spouse/guest, etc).  Again, this is just to assist the Committee with understanding how many attendees will be in the venue, and other logistics.  Once we have a better idea of the scope of the event, and the number of sponsors, we will provide ticket prices along with the agenda and CLE information.  RSVP'ing is not a formal commitment to attending!  It is just very difficult to proceed on such thin margins without some basis to rely on headcount.

    We will be sending out a survey to last year's attendees in the near future to get feedback on what we can improve, and what we should leave behind.

    Rex

Past events

March 22, 2024 Executive Portraits / Headshots
March 02, 2024 Fairfax Bar Association's Bench Bar Dinner Dance
February 19, 2024 3rd Annual NOVABAA Black History Month Brunch
December 12, 2023 NOVABAA Holiday Party '23
August 24, 2023 NOVABAA's 40th Anniversary Celebration at the World Famous Salamander Resort
May 12, 2023 NOVABAA Professional Portraits and Headshots
April 10, 2023 Exploring Careers in the EDVA
March 14, 2023 NOVABAA's Legislative Roundtable
February 22, 2023 AUSA Informational Meeting with U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber
February 20, 2023 NOVABAA's 2nd Annual Black History Month Brunch
December 08, 2022 NOVABAA 40th Anniversary Kickoff & Holiday Party
November 22, 2022 NOVABAA Elections '22
October 18, 2022 NOVABAA Special Meeting: Dues (30 Minutes)
September 20, 2022 NOVABAA Bylaws Meeting
September 15, 2022 NOVABAA Convention at National Harbor
September 10, 2022 Community Service Program with APABA and HBA
August 09, 2022 NOVABAA Bylaws Meeting
July 21, 2022 Business Development for the Black Lawyer
June 20, 2022 NOVABAA's Juneteenth Celebration
June 14, 2022 NOVABAA General Body Meeting
May 25, 2022 NOVABAA Women's Day
May 22, 2022 NOVABAA Day of Worship
May 21, 2022 The DMV Black Bar Associations' Joint Top Golf Event
May 18, 2022 NOVABAA's Mental Health Awareness Program
May 12, 2022 Lavonda's Going Away Party
May 04, 2022 NOVABAA's 2nd Annual EDVA Group Admission Ceremony
April 24, 2022 NOVABAA's Day at the Shooting Range
April 19, 2022 NOVABAA SCOTUS Bar Group Admission
April 15, 2022 NOVABAA Professional Portraits and Headshots
April 04, 2022 NOVABAA Stews & Brews (Social)
April 02, 2022 Prince William County Bar Association's Bench Bar Dinner
April 01, 2022 NOVABAA's April Fitness Challenge
March 29, 2022 NOVABAA Virtual Trivia Night
March 27, 2022 NOVABAA Day of Worship
March 05, 2022 Fairfax Bar Association's Bench Bar Dinner
February 20, 2022 NOVABAA Black History Month Brunch
February 08, 2022 NOVABAA BLSA Book Award
February 08, 2022 NOVABAA General Body Meeting
February 01, 2022 Executive Board Meeting
February 01, 2022 NOVABAA's February Fitness Challenge
December 20, 2021 NOVABAA Family Fun Night
December 19, 2021 NOVABAA Social: "How I Learned What I Learned"
November 03, 2021 George Mason University Law Student / NOVABAA Happy Hour
October 29, 2021 NOVABAA's Annual CLE
October 13, 2021 Pivoting Practice Areas as a Public Sector Attorney
September 08, 2021 NOVABAA's Fairfax Circuit Court Judicial Screening Committee
August 17, 2021 August Executive Board Meeting
July 01, 2021 NOVABAA Group Discount to One Life Fitness and Sport & Health
June 18, 2021 NOVABAA's Juneteenth Celebration
June 17, 2021 NOVABAA EDVA Group Admission
June 10, 2021 NOVABAA Group Discount from Westlaw
June 07, 2021 June Executive Board Meeting
June 01, 2021 NOVABAA's June Fitness Challenge
May 27, 2021 CLE - Personal Injury Practice 101
May 21, 2021 NOVABAA Professional Portraits and Headshots
May 10, 2021 NOVABAA's May Fitness Challenge
April 22, 2021 CLE - "Every superhero needs some theme music." The power of using Themes at trial. - David P. Baugh
April 13, 2021 General Body Meeting
April 01, 2021 NOVABAA's April Fitness Challenge
March 25, 2021 NOVABAA Virtual Trivia Night

northern virginia black attorneys association

www.novabaa.org

Address:
10660 Page Avenue, #4452
Fairfax, VA 22030