The NOVA 2026 Spring Conference will be held in San Diego, California, and will be a hybrid event! Registration will open January 14!
We have an exciting program designed for both new and experienced veterans law practitioners! Increase your knowledge, confidence, and expertise in representing veterans before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In addition, your time may be credited to your jurisdiction’s CLE requirements. We hope you join us!
There will be a Wednesday Welcome Social Hour from 5:30-7:30pm on April 15, providing an added opportunity for networking before the conference begins. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a conference regular, you are invited to socialize with fellow attendees thanks to our sponsors Werner Hoffman Greig & Garcia and Mednick Associates.
We will host our General Session and Exhibits on Thursday & Friday (4/16 & 4/17). The NOVA reception will be held on Thursday evening, and we will host a speaker Q&A session at the end of the day on Friday.
Our Workshop Session will be held on Saturday, 4/18. A networking lunch will be provided for all workshop attendees. Attendees will attend 4 sessions (out of 6 options), and will be required to rank the sessions in their order of preference after registration. A personalized schedule of your session assignments will be available in your badge holder. Because these sessions are designed for small groups, there will be ample opportunity for questions/discussion with the presenters and your fellow attendees.
Student registration: Please note that the student registration rate is reserved for active full-time law students. If you possess a Law School/Student NOVA Membership as a Law Professor, please register under the NOVA Member Rate.
Conference Videos: 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:
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.
On-site Reminders: NOVA negotiates free Wi-Fi for attendees at our conferences as a courtesy. The Wi-Fi that is provided free of charge only includes bandwidth for basic internet browsing and the ability to check email. It is NOT enough bandwidth for downloading conference materials onsite, using a VPN connection, or streaming videos during the conference. We ask that attendees be mindful of the limitations of the free Wi-Fi onsite and be sure to download your conference materials before arriving.
NOVA also works with the hotel and DCE Productions to supply power strips to attendees. The power strips are scattered throughout the meeting space for attendees use. We ask that you arrive to the meeting room with fully charged devices. Please DO NOT move the power strip closer to your seat as they are placed so that multiple seats will have access to the strip. Finally, we will not provide power strips for the Workshop Sessions on Saturday - please plan accordingly.
Finally, the temperature in hotel ballrooms tends to fluctuate throughout the day and can go from hot to cold (and back again) quickly. Please plan accordingly and dress in layers so you can adjust to the fluctuating temperatures.
Hotel: Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
1 Market Pl
San Diego, CA 92101
Discover Southern California’s vibrant culture from the Manchester Grand Hyatt, a waterfront conference hotel in downtown San Diego. Enjoy spacious rooms with upscale amenities and stunning views—just steps from Petco Park, the Convention Center, Seaport Village, local beaches, and top dining and entertainment spots.
Room Block Rate: $329 plus tax per night (single/double occupancy). This special rate is available three days before and after the conference, based on availability.
IMPORTANT: Please book only one room per registered attendee. If multiple rooms are booked under the same name, additional rooms will be cancelled immediately. If booking for multiple attendees, each room must be assigned to a unique,
registered guest.
Reservation Deadline: All hotel reservations must be made by Wednesday, March 25, to receive the NOVA rate. Space is limited and may sell out before the deadline, so we encourage you to book early.
The room block will open in mid-January.
Registration will open soon!
To register, simply choose which session(s) you'd like to attend below, and click "Purchase Tickets" - you will then be asked to provide some basic attendee information. Please complete this information carefully.
Please make sure to carefully choose your tickets. There are several ticket options if you keep scrolling!
Other Registration Information:
- Please note that the student registration rate is reserved for active full-time law students. If you possess a Law School/Student NOVA Membership as a Law Professor, please register under the NOVA Member Rate.
- When completing your registration, please do so as you would like your name badge at the conference to read. We will also use the information provided on your registration to compile our list of seminar attendees that is distributed with conference materials. We do not use your NOVA member profile information.
- Please provide a unique email address for each attendee that is their own email, not that of their organization or staff. The email provided on the registration form will be used for all conference communication, including materials and CLE, and we want to ensure proper receipt.
- Please make sure to contact NOVA staff if you have any disability requiring special accommodation or assistance. We want our attendees to be as comfortable as possible.
Multi Registration Discount:
Organizations that register two or more individuals at the same time can apply the multi-registration discount. The discount is 10% off your final amount, or each registration. *Please note this discount does not apply to single registrations and can only be used if registering from the same firm at the same time.*
Discount Code: TOPGUN26
Multi Registration Discount:
Organizations that register two or more individuals at the same time can apply the multi-registration discount. To apply the code, please click "Click here to enter your promotional code" when selecting your tickets, before clicking purchase tickets.
The discount is 10% off your final amount, or each registration. *Please note this discount does not apply to single registrations and can only be used if registering from the same firm at the same time.*
Discount Code: TOPGUN26
About 1 week before the conference, you will receive an email (to the email with which you registered) with a link to download the seminar materials.
You must download the files and then open all PDF's with an adobe acrobat PDF reader, and find and click on the paperclip icon, in order to access any attachments such as speaker bios and exhibits.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Requirements: NOVA conferences are usually fully accepted for CLE purposes. We pre-apply for approval to states in which we have a certain number of attendees seeking credit. If we do not pre-apply, we provide the state application form for you to submit on your own along with your certificate of attendance.
NOVA uses sign-in sheets each day to record your attendance. We want to remind you that all CLE procedures, including requiring attendees to sign in, are based on the rules and regulations put forward by various state bars. NOVA is required to follow such rules. While they do vary state to state, accurately signing in to prove your attendance at either a virtual or in-person event is required by every jurisdiction that monitors CLE. As such, please do not sign in for any sessions you haven’t attended. If you leave early, please note as such on the sign-in form. If you fail to properly sign in, we cannot process your CLE credits.
At the conclusion of the conference, NOVA staff will calculate your CLE credit hours based on whether you signed in at the registration desk each morning. Then, approximately two weeks after the conference you will receive an email with necessary forms and other supplemental materials that you will then have to submit to your state bar or the VA. NOVA does not submit your hours on your behalf.
Any questions regarding CLE, please contact Katy Whalen.
Scholarships have been created in memory of NOVA Founding Member William G. Smith, Esq., who provided leadership and support to countless practitioners in veterans law. Scholarships cover the cost of registration only and are available to individuals who are not financially able to attend, and who would not otherwise be able to attend the seminar due to financial hardship. These scholarships are designated for attorneys, non-attorney practitioners, law students, and also accredited veteran’s service representatives.
To apply for the William G. Smith Scholarship, the following information is required: your name, address, and email; year of graduation from law school, if applicable; current employer and position; a brief explanation of how you intend to use this training; and your VA accreditation date, if applicable. You must also explain why you need financial assistance to attend a NOVA conference, and indicate if you have the financial resources to cover the related expenses of attendance (i.e., travel, lodging, food) should you be awarded a scholarship.
Scholarship Applications will be available soon!
Thank you for your interest in exhibiting at the NOVA 2026 Spring Conference in San Diego! Exhibit and Sponsor packets will be sent out in January to approved exhibitors.
If you have not exhibited at NOVA previously and would like to apply to exhibit at the spring conference, please click HERE. NOVA staff will be in touch in 10-14 days to let you know if your application has been approved or if we need additional information.
NOVA Exhibit Information
Exhibit dates:
Thursday and Friday, April 16 & 17, 2026 from 7:30am-5pm
Cost:
- Registration and payment received BY COB on Wednesday, February 11, 2026:
- One (1) 6-foot table and two (2) chairs: $1,800
- Two (2) 6-foot table and four (4) chairs: $2,400
- Registration and payment received AFTER Wednesday, February 11, 2026:
- One (1) 6-foot table and two (2) chairs: $2,200
- Two (2) 6-foot table and four (4) chairs: $2.800
The Spring 2026 Conference will be a hybrid event, with an estimated in-person attendance of 325–350 and virtual attendance of 150–200.
NOVA Sponsorship Opportunities
We are eager to work with you and help you publicize the resources you have available more effectively. By sponsoring one of the following events/items we offer at a NOVA Conference, your brand is sure to capture the attention of our attendees.
- Full Conference Reception Sponsor: $35,000
- Bar Only Reception Sponsor: $25,000
Welcome Social Hour Sponsor:SOLD OUT- All-Day Coffee Sponsor: $10,000 (3 available)
- Breakfast Sponsor: $7,000 (Saturday available)
- Welcome Bag Sponsor: $5,000
- Name Badge Sponsor: $5,000
- Morning Break Sponsor: $4,000 (2 available)
- Afternoon Break Sponsor: $4,000 (2 available)
- Scholarship Event Sponsor: $2,000
- Help us celebrate in style! Our Reception Sponsor provides an enhanced experience for attendees with an open bar and delicious food during the Thursday evening conference reception. The sponsor will be prominently recognized in our event slideshow, on signage during the reception, and acknowledged in our daily announcements. It’s a standout opportunity to associate your brand with connection, conversation, and community in a relaxed, social setting. Raise a glass to great visibility!
- Keep the energy flowing! Our All-Day Coffee Sponsors ensure attendees stay fueled and focused with coffee available throughout the day. Sponsors will be prominently recognized in our event slideshow, on signage at coffee stations during their sponsored day, and acknowledged in our daily announcements. Only 3 sponsorships available - secure yours today and be the reason behind every energized conversation!
- Make a lasting first impression! Our Welcome Bag Sponsor will provide NOVA with a pre-approved, pre-assembled customized welcome bag and insert(s) for all attendees. As the face of the conference kickoff, the sponsor will have the opportunity to personally hand out bags during Thursday morning registration. Recognition includes sponsor branding on the bag, a feature in the event slideshow, and shout-outs in our daily announcements.
- Start the attendee experience with your brand in hand!Be front and center - literally! Our Name Badge Sponsor will have their logo featured on the back of every attendee name badge, ensuring consistent visibility throughout the event. The sponsor will also be recognized in the event slideshow and thanked in our daily announcements. A high-visibility opportunity that lasts all conference long!
- Start the day off right! Our Breakfast Sponsors help provide attendees with an enhanced breakfast experience to fuel their morning sessions. Sponsors will be recognized in the event slideshow, on signage in the breakfast area during their sponsored day, and thanked in our daily announcements.We have 1 Breakfast Sponsorship available - a delicious way to showcase your support!
- Help attendees recharge! Our Morning/Afternoon Break Sponsors provide tasty enhancements to the morning break and sweet treats for the morning and afternoon coffee breaks. Sponsors will be recognized in the event slideshow, on signage in the break area during their sponsored time, and thanked in our daily announcements. A perfect way to add flavor to the day while spotlighting your brand!
When
Location
- San Diego, CA, USA
