Candidates for Executive Board: 2018/2019

Vice President/President Elect: Christina Vassey

Chris Vassey

Chris is the client services manager for Thomson Reuters.

Since joining the company in 1995, Chris has served in a number of roles, including law firm account manager, regional manager and director of academic account management.   

She received her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law (1994) and her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Kansas (1990).  

Chris has served as VALL membership chair since 2012 and was secretary 2014-2016.  She is also a member of the board of trustees and chair of the development committee for ART 180.  

Chris lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband, Brett, and 18-year-old son, Hayden, who is headed for Wake Forest in Fall 2018.  

Director: Elizabeth Schiller
 

Liz Schiller

Liz Schiller recently joined the University of Richmond School of Law as a Reference and Research Services Librarian in the Muse Law Library and teaches legal research in the first-year program.

Prior to coming to the University of Richmond, Liz served as a Reference Librarian and Law Librarian in the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress. 

Liz is an active member of the American Association of Law Libraries and served as the President of the Law Librarians’ Society of Washington, DC.

 

Secretary: Megan Scanlon 

 

President's Message

Greetings, VALL members,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying this beautiful spring day!

The spring meeting is just around the corner, and I’m looking forward to seeing many of you. If you haven’t already registered, it’s not too late! The meeting is on April 20th at the University of Virginia School of Law, and the registration deadline is April 12th at noon.

If Charlottesville alone is not enough to attract you, Andrew has put together a great program including sessions on serving on a public library board in retirement, the use of metrics in law libraries, and mindfulness for librarians.

Just as our profession is changing rapidly, VALL is also undergoing many changes. We are creating a new website and assessing and reorganizing our committees. It is a wonderful time to get involved to strengthen our organization and promote our profession. I hope you will consider volunteering for a committee, writing an article for the Virginia Lawyer, or participating in VALL activities (even if it’s just a happy hour!)

Executive Board Appointments:

At our upcoming meeting, we will be welcoming new members of the Executive Board: Chris Vassey as Vice-President/President-Elect, Megan Scanlon as Secretary, and Liz Schiller as Board Member. As many of you know, Chris Vassey has done a tremendous job serving as the Membership Committee Chair for many years. My congratulations and thanks to each of you for serving on the VALL Executive Board!

Chapter Leadership Handbook Committee:

The Board has created a special committee tasked with updating the VALL Chapter Leadership Handbook. With all the recent changes in the organization, this is a critical job that will require a team effort. Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering for this committee.

Lara Dresser

Grants for AALL

VALL has two different grant programs to provide support to members who want to attend the AALL Annual Meeting.  The first is the VALL/AALL grant.  This grant is open to any VALL member seeking financial support to attend the AALL Annual Meeting or an AALL Workshop. 

The second is the Barbara Cumming Grant.  This grant was established in the memory of long-time VALL member Barbara Cumming by the firm for which she worked.  It is intended to support a VALL law firm librarian. 

The Grants committee is currently accepting applications for both of these grants.  The combined application form can be found here:

Grant Application

 All applications must be received via email by 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 6th. 

 

VALL Spring Meeting: April 20

The program and registration form for the VALL Spring Meeting, to be held on April 20 at the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville, is available on the VALL wiki: Spring Meeting Form

Our meeting will include great sessions about serving on a public library board in retirement, mindfulness for professionals like us, and a panel discussion on the use of metrics in law library operations. Plus, opportunities for catching up and networking with colleagues from across the state, and a tour of the UVA law library! 

We will begin with a continental breakfast starting at 9 a.m., and start the formal program at 10 a.m.  (The full agenda is included in the document linked above.)

Please complete and return your registration!  To ensure an accurate order for the lunch caterer, the registration/cancellation deadline is noon, Thursday, April 12.

I look forward to seeing everyone there!

Best,

Andrew Winston

Chair, VALL Programs Committee

Seeking Panelists for Legal Career Alternatives

The William & Mary African-American Law Alumni Celebration Discussing Legal Career Alternatives is looking for people to serve on a panel on career alternatives.

On February 22nd-25th, the William & Mary Law Office of Alumni and Development Affairs is hosting the school’s annual African-American Law Alumni Celebration. 

The schedule includes a panel on Friday, February 23^rd at 3:15 pm, on career alternatives to the traditional practice of law. Click here to view the schedule. They are currently still looking for participants. 

Please contact Michael Umberger if you are interested.