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Katy Whalen posted an articleIn person registration has SOLD OUT! Virtual Tickets still available! see more
We’re thrilled to invite you to register for NOVA’s 2026 Spring Conference, taking place April 16–18, 2026, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in beautiful San Diego! Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a returning participant, attending in-person or virtually, this year’s program promises engaging education, valuable networking, and meaningful discussion with leaders in the field. Please note that due to unprecedented interest, only virtual registrations are currently available. Thank you for your understanding.
Kick off the week with our Welcome Social Hour on Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30–7:30 PM. This informal gathering is a great way to connect with colleagues before the conference begins, generously sponsored by Werner Hoffman Greig & Garcia and Mednick Associates.
Our General Session and Exhibits will run Thursday and Friday (April 16 & 17), featuring expert presentations and a robust lineup of speakers. Don’t miss the NOVA Reception on Thursday evening, and be sure to stick around Friday for our Speaker Q&A Session for an opportunity to engage directly with presenters.
On Saturday, April 18, we’ll hold our Workshop Session, offering attendees four small-group sessions (selected from six options). Participants will rank their session preferences after registering, and personalized schedules will be provided onsite. A networking lunch is included for all workshop attendees, and sessions will foster in-depth dialogue and interaction with peers and presenters.
Virtual Attendance Option: For those unable to join us in person, a virtual option will be available for the General Session only (April 16–17). Please note, the Workshop Session on April 18 will be in-person only, due to its interactive format.Time Zone: Please note that San Diego is in the Pacific time zone (PT) and all times listed in the brochure and on the conference schedule are PT. If you are attending virtually, please plan accordingly.
This conference is designed to increase your knowledge, skills, and confidence in representing veterans before the VA, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. CLE credit may be available based on your jurisdiction.
To maintain a professional atmosphere, we ask that all attendees wear business casual attire and uphold a standard of courtesy and respect throughout the event.Conference Videos: In-person attendees will have the opportunity to purchase conference videos at the time of registration for the discounted rate of $50. NOVA does not record guest speakers or the Saturday workshop sessions, so videos of those sessions will NOT be included. Please be sure to purchase the registration ticket plus videos option when registering. Please note that the videos will be sent to the email with which you registered for the event, a few weeks following the conference.
Cancellation Policies: Please note our registration cancellation policies below.
Registration Cancellation Policy:
- Before February 11, 2026 - 75% of fee paid will be returned
- Beginning February 11 through March 20, 2026 - 50% of fee paid will be returned
- On or After March 21, 2026 - No Refund (seminar materials will be provided)
Registration Transfer Policy:
If you would like to transfer your in-person registration to virtual attendance or transfer your virtual registration to in-person attendance, you will be assessed $149 for administering this change.For more information about the conference, click HERE. Questions? Email Stacie Lemick at the NOVA office.
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Corinne Baer joined National Organization of Veterans' Advocates, Inc. .
I am currently pursuing accreditation as a VA Accredited Claims Agent and intentionally building the knowledge and experience...
see moreI am currently pursuing accreditation as a VA Accredited Claims Agent and intentionally building the knowledge and experience necessary to effectively advocate for veterans and their families.
My interest in veterans law comes from both professional and personal experience. Having worked with service members during transition—and later navigating the VA disability system within my own family—I quickly realized that understanding the regulations and actually building a successful claim are two very different things. Too often, veterans are left trying to fight serious health conditions while also fighting a complicated benefits system.
While my application is pending with the VA Office of General Counsel, I am using this time intentionally. I recently began paralegal studies at Purdue Global University and am focused on learning the practical side of veterans disability advocacy: claim development, evidence strategy, medical nexus support, file organization, and the appeals process.
I am especially interested in learning from attorneys and Accredited Agents who are already doing this work. The VA disability system requires careful preparation, strong documentation, and a deep understanding of both the regulations and the realities veterans face when seeking benefits.
My goal is simple: to build claims the right way from the beginning and to advocate in a way that truly serves the veteran.
If you are working in veterans law and open to sharing insight, mentorship, or perspective on best practices in this field, I would welcome the opportunity to learn from your experience.
March 10, 2026 -
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Michelle Miramontes (Armitstead) joined National Organization of Veterans' Advocates, Inc. .March 03, 2026
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