VJLAP - Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program

06/07/2026

Check out the latest wellness column in the June issue of the VSB's Virginia Lawyer magazine, where Hetal Challa and Charlene Reilly explore how humor can be a powerful tool for managing stress, building connection, and supporting well-being in the legal profession.

And if you'd like to dive deeper into the topic, join us at VJLAP's Legal Professional Well-Being Conference this September, where Judge Pidikiti-Smith and Judge Flythe will be presenting on the topic of the importance of humor in the legal profession.

Read the article here:
https://virginialawyer.vsb.org/june-2026/page-48

To register for the conference, visit: https://lnkd.in/e_NnQcBJ

Virginia Lawyer • June 2026
https://whova.com/portal/registration/0FF08b5nnRiKxxu5SGbw/

Virginia Lawyer VOL. 75/NO. 1 • June 2026 VIRGINIA LAWYER REGISTER The Official Publication of the Virginia State Bar The Honorable Cleo E. Powell Chief Justice Supreme Court of Virginia The Litigation Issue A Message for Virginia Litigators Lessons from a $20 Million Verdict Ending the Use of Spe...

06/07/2026

VJLAP had a fantastic time meeting with the summer associates at Williams Mullen and discussing emotional intelligence.

Together, we explored how recognizing and managing emotions, practicing empathy, building strong professional relationships, and responding thoughtfully under pressure can help us become more effective lawyers, colleagues, and leaders.

A huge thank you to Williams Mullen for investing in the professional development and well-being of its future attorneys.

Have you ever stopped to consider your own emotional intelligence? Could you benefit from a little more self-awareness? How do you manage your emotions during stressful situations? Do you react quickly, or do you pause, process, and respond intentionally? Emotional intelligence is a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time and the payoff is enormous.

VJLAP is always here to support the legal community. If you'd like to learn more about emotional intelligence, lawyer well-being, or VJLAP's services, we'd love to hear from you.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, VJLAP honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We are especially grateful for the veterans and military families within the legal community whose dedication, courage, and service continue to inspire us. Wishing everyone a meaningful and reflective Memorial Day.

05/22/2026

Registration for VJLAP’s 2026 Legal Professional Well-Being Conference is now open!

Join us September 19–20 in beautiful and charming downtown Lynchburg for an engaging and restorative weekend focused on supporting the well-being of lawyers, judges, law students, and legal professionals.

Register today and reserve your discounted hotel room at The Virginian.

To register for the conference, https://whova.com/portal/registration/0FF08b5nnRiKxxu5SGbw/

To reserve at room at a discounted rate at The Virginian,
https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=LYHCUQQ&groupCode=VJLAP6&arrivaldate=2026-09-18&departuredate=2026-09-20&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

05/18/2026

VJLAP extends a huge congratulations to all of the participants and winners of this year’s Lawyer Wellness Challenge!

We were proud to partner with the VBA and others on this important initiative and loved seeing more than 400 lawyers, judges and other legal professionals participate. The energy, encouragement, and commitment shown throughout the challenge were inspiring.

We encourage everyone to continue making well-being a priority — not just during Well-Being Week in Law, but throughout the year.

And please remember, VJLAP is always here to support you. VJLAP is equipped to help not only navigate challenges, but also build healthier, more sustainable, and more fulfilling personal and professional lives.

A huge congratulations to the winners of this year’s Lawyer Wellness Challenge!

With more than 400 participants in our biggest challenge yet, we loved seeing the energy, encouragement and commitment to well-being throughout the week.

Top VBA Member Steppers:
- Dawn Boyce
- Moses Hutchison
- Alex Cuff

Top Non-Member Stepper:
- Brett Tidrick

Top Step Team: “The Moving Party”
- Chief Judge Marla Graff Decker
- Gordon Dobbs
- Julianne Meyer
- Stephanie Paine
- Brett Tidrick

Chat Cheerleader:
- Sheryl-Lynn Caroff

Wellness Webinar Watcher:
- Jeannine Rose

The Ultimate Win: the investment everyone made in their own well-being.

Whether you made one small change or many, every step toward healthier habits makes a difference, and all 400+ participants took meaningful action throughout the challenge.

For more wellness content (or to catch a webinar you missed), visit our YouTube page: https://conta.cc/4dhnBGO

05/18/2026

VJLAP appreciated the opportunity to speak at the Virginia State Bar Solo & Small-Firm Practitioner Forum last week about imposter syndrome and the impact it can have on lawyers and the practice of law.

Feelings of fraudulence and self-doubt can affect how we think, communicate, make decisions, and practice. The good news is that there are practical, evidence-based strategies to challenge the inner critic, reframe unhelpful thinking patterns, and develop healthier and more sustainable ways to practice so lawyers can thrive, not simply survive.

Please reach out if you would like VJLAP to present a similar Virginia CLE or one of our many other well-being and professional development programs for your organization, firm, court, or local bar association.

05/18/2026

VJLAP appreciated the opportunity to exhibit and present at the Old Dominion Bar Association (ODBA) 85th Annual Convention this weekend in Virginia Beach.

Our presentation focused on the importance of emotional intelligence in the legal profession and how emotional awareness and emotional regulation are closely connected to lawyer well-being, professionalism, and competence.

We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful event and appreciated the thoughtful conversations with attendees throughout the conference. Please reach out if you would like VJLAP to present a Virginia CLE or well-being program for your organization, firm, court, or local bar association.

05/15/2026

VJLAP had a great time visiting with Moore Christoff & Siddiqui and talking about lawyer well-being and imposter syndrome at their firm retreat.

Programs like this matter. Yes, the CLE content provides important intellectual value but it is equally important for attorneys and legal professionals to have time to connect, share a meal, recharge, and strengthen relationships with one another.

Kudos to the firm for investing in both professional development and personal well-being. Thank you for having us!

05/09/2026

VJLAP appreciated the opportunity to speak at the VMVLA Spring Meeting about chronic stress in the legal profession, the impact stress can have on lawyers personally and professionally, and practical strategies to better regulate stress and enhance well-being.

These conversations matter. The legal profession is demanding, and while we cannot always control the stressors we face, we can develop healthier and more intentional ways to respond to them.

Thank you to VMVLA for including us and for fostering an environment that supports these important conversations. Please remember, VJLAP is always happy to talk about lawyer well-being, stress management, and the occupational risks of the profession. Reach out anytime. All services are complimentary, confidential and non-disciplinary.

Richmond Office: 804.644.3212
HelpLine (24/7): 877.545.4682

05/06/2026

Momentum looks good on you!

Whether you’ve joined a webinar, connected with a colleague, logged steps for the Step Challenge or simply paused to recharge for a few, it all counts.

Keep showing up for yourself this week—you’re building habits that last beyond the challenge.