2023-2024 VAELA COMMITTEES

(Chairs & Members as of 05.23) 

COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBER RELATIONS COMMITTEE shall act to promote the Academy and the Chapter both internally and externally. The Committee shall maintain the conduit by which members and the public obtain information about the Academy and the Chapter, their members and services, and elder law and special needs issues, which includes the status of upcoming events and the ability to contact an elder law attorney. The Committee is also responsible for developing a plan and budget for the marketing of the Chapter, including, but not limited to sponsorships and advertising, in order to ensure funds to carry out the Chapter’s work. Additionally, the Committee shall support VAELA’s branding and marketing with effective tools and use of available media.

Furthermore, the Committee shall oversee the drafting, publication, and maintenance of materials useful for the education and support of the membership, other members of the legal profession, the public and policy decision-makers on the needs of elders, those with special needs, and their families/caregivers. The Committee shall also study and recommend to the Board ways and means to enhance membership growth and retention in, and encourage involvement in activities of, the Academy and the Chapter, and to meet standards and requirements prescribed in the bylaws of the Chapter. The Committee shall also study and recommend to the Board ways and means to provide mentoring and networking opportunities by and between Academy and Chapter members. Upon approval of its recommendations, the Committee shall oversee the implementation of the approved recommendations and shall maintain and assess them on a regular basis.

Co-Chairs: Hanna Rodriguez (hrodriguez@walkerjoneslaw.com) and Gorham (Rory) Clark (rclark@theclarkfirm.com)

Committee Members: Lelia Winget-Hernandez, Ari Sommer

EDUCATION COMMITTEE shall promote and develop opportunities for continuing legal education in current elder and special needs law issues, especially with respect to Virginia laws, regulations, and policies.

Co-Chairs: Virginia Haizlip (vhaizlip@mccandlaw.com) and Beth Norton (bnorton@nortonhealthlaw.com)

Committee Members: Cary Cucinelli, Laura Evans, Valerie Geiger, Melanie Lee, Gretchyn Meinken, Natalie Page, Jeremy Pryor, Sarah Saville

FINANCE COMMITTEE shall assist the Treasurer in overseeing the management of all Chapter funds, including the preparation and monitoring of an annual budget. The Finance Committee shall review all bank statements, receipts and disbursements not less frequently than every other month.

Chair: Stephen Taylor (taylor@oasttaylor.com)

Committee Members: Scott Alperin, Ross Hart, and Matthew Yao

GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE shall assist the Board of Directors in developing and maintaining the VAELA Strategic Plan, including the VAELA Vision, Mission Statement, and supporting Goals, Objectives and Activities. Furthermore, the Governance and Management Committee shall solicit, receive, evaluate, and make nominations for officers and directors, and have general charge of the election, including the preparation, distribution, collection and counting of ballots and votes. Moreover, the Governance and Management Committee shall be in charge of ensuring that the policies and procedures of the Chapter and each of the committees is maintained and up-to-date.

Chair: Christopher McCarthy (cmccarthy@t-mlaw.com)

Committee Members: Andrea Morisi

PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE shall monitor state legislative and administrative developments, as well as pertinent court decisions, and communicate public policy issues to Chapter members and the Academy’s Public Policy Committee. This Committee shall have a process to facilitate state and national grassroots initiatives and shall encourage Chapter members to communicate with their state and U.S. House and Senate legislators and, if feasible, develop state lobbying efforts on behalf of the Chapter. This Committee shall make recommendations to the Board in connection with various activities related thereto.

Co-Chairs: Stephen Burns (stephen.burns@parksensenig.com), Rhona Levine (rlevine@opnlaw.com), and Amy McCullough (amcculloughesq@gmail.com)

Committee Members: Paul Barnett, Doris Gelbman, Ann Green, Elizabeth Gray, Vera Golenzer, Ross Hart, Shawn Majette, Christopher McCarthy, Alyssa Monteleon, Ari Sommer, Stephen Taylor, Loretta Morris Williams, Michael Winget-Hernandez, and Ed Zetlin