On December 6, 2016, NACDL (with the Charles Koch Institute) hosted an event titled "A Conversation on Criminal Justice in the Commonwealth" in Richmond. The event featured three panel discussions: Criminal Justice Reform in the Commonwealth: Navigating a Path Forward, Discovery Reform: A Necessary Demand for Justice?, and Identifying Opportunities for Successful Re-Entry.

 Current Board Member and former VACDL President Doug Ramseur was a panelist for the second section, on Discovery Reform, along with Sen. Bill Stanley. Doug masterfully presented a case for reform, and outlined the past efforts to pursue changes to the discovery rules. The discussion was lively, the audience was engaged, and I know I was not alone in feeling that we might make some headway towards discovery reform after Senator Stanley's remarks.

 In light of the interest level in this issue, NACDL is hosting a follow-up event: Discovery Reform: An Advocacy Briefing to Engage the Community in Virginia on Saturday, February 4, 2017, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church, 1317 E. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23504. 

  VACDL members are strongly encouraged to attend. Please contact me (Danielle) at vacdlawyers@gmail.com for more information or a copy of the event flier.