Legal Industry

Attendance is $35 (cash, credit/debit card, or ApplePay - paid at the door), which includes water/soda/coffee, bread, choice of a plated lunch entrée, and a dessert assortment. Parking is also validated in the Reston Station garages (3 hours of validation). Join one of Northern Virginia's most successful business networking groups (part of BNI). Open to the public and is typically attended by business owners, business developers, and entrepreneurs. Meetings are typically attended by 30-40 members and guests. \*\*\*PLEASE RSVP here: [REGISTER HERE](https://square.link/u/0WvC6Eir) \*\*\*If you do not register on the BNI website, there may not be a seat available for you.

Join the [Veg Society of DC (VSDC)](vsdc.org) for Veganuary's pro-animal/vegan-themed Movie Watch Party on Saturday, January 31 at 3:00 pm in Fairfax VA. Socializing with vegan food beforehand and discussion about the movie afterwards is planned. PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE DESCRIPTION FOR DETAILS OF HOW THIS MONTH'S MOVIE WATCH PARTY WILL BE DIFFERENT, INCLUDING A 3 PM START TIME. This month's movie is Wicked Part 1. (The next Movie Watch Party will screen Wicked Part II, which should be available on streaming by then). *Wicked* has a strong animal rights theme, portraying Elphaba's fight against the oppression and silencing of talking animals in Oz, mirroring real-world animal exploitation and systemic injustice. The movie is 2 hours and 40 minutes long. *About Veganuary: "Our vision is simple; we want a vegan world. A world without animal farms and slaughterhouses. A world where food production does not decimate forests, pollute rivers and oceans, exacerbate climate change, and drive wild animal populations to extinction." Veganuary has inspired and supported millions of people to try vegan since 2014 – with participants from almost every country in the world. They have worked with businesses to drive up vegan options in shops and restaurants, and have made veganism more visible and accessible through their work with national and international media.* The VSDC member hosts’ home in Fairfax has a small home theater that can accommodate around 20 people. This regular event is a fun way to learn, discuss, and meet vegans and vegan-curious people (Thanks to Mindy Kursban and David Kwiatkowski for hosting!). FEE: The $10 fee will cover the hosts' expenses for the event, including food, beverages, and other associated costs. If there are any proceeds beyond these costs, which we don't expect, they will go towards VSDC's work to fulfill its mission. In order to ensure the success of the evening and limit late cancellations, **the fee is refundable until 5 days before the event.** BECAUSE THERE IS A FEE FOR THIS EVENT, MEETUP DOES NOT ALLOW FOR A WAITLIST ONCE THE RSVPs ARE FULL. IF IT IS FULL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CHECK MEETUP OCCASIONALLY TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS CHANGED THEIR RSVP. FOOD: For our afternoon movie watch party, we’ll have mostly snack-style foods. And to kick off the year on a healthy note, this month’s spread will be mostly—though not entirely—raw. Feel free to bring any vegan food or beverages to share; your contribution doesn’t need to be raw. WHO: All VSDC and Meetup members are invited. Bringing a non-vegan friend is encouraged. WHEN: Saturday, January 31 **at 3:00 pm**\*\*\*. Because of the length of the movie, we will start the movie at 3:00 pm and watch the first 1 1/2 hours. Then we will have a short break for food and socializing and watch the remainder of the movie. WHERE: The home is in Fairfax VA 22033, near Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. It is 8 miles from the closest metro at either Vienna or Reston (Uber or Lyft would be necessary). **For safety and security reasons, the exact location will be emailed privately via Meetup about 2 days in advance to those who have rsvp'd Yes.** Please make sure your email is current in Meetup, your Meetup settings allow organizer messages, and check your spam if you don't receive the message. PARKING: There is plenty of free parking within a 3-minute walk of the home. \*You must register via this page to attend the event.\* A Pay Pal account is required to pay the $10. Because there is a cost for the event, Meetup doesn't have a waitlist for the movie. **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

Federal Executive GovCon - "Supporting Government Efficiency with Thought Leadership" When: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 5:30 – 8:00 Location: Lost Rhino, 21730 Red Rum Dr, Ste 142, Ashburn, VA 20147 (\*\* NEW LOCATION \*\*) Come network with other local GovCon Executives and enjoy a few free beers on us and engage with our sponsors and Industry speakers. Please register here for your spot and please enter full name and company so a badge will be waiting for you. Sponsorships: 1 of 2 spots are available. DM me to claim the 2nd sponsorship to highlight your company to an invitation-only executive audience.

Join us for Pongal celebration as we come together to honor tradition, gratitude, and community! Inspired by South Indian traditions, **Chennai Hoppers** embodies authentic flavor profiles from the traditional kitchens of Tamil Nadu. Their contemporary interpretation of rustic South Indian cuisine blends refined creativity with deep-rooted culinary heritage—offering exotic dishes that remain true to their origins while exceeding expectations. Adding to its acclaim, **Chennai Hoppers has been featured in major regional publications**, including recognition by **The Washington Post** as one of the best Indian restaurants in the greater D.C. area, along with coverage in local food and culture magazines highlighting its authentic yet innovative approach to South Indian cuisine. ✨ **What to expect**: •Authentic South Indian cuisine with a modern touch •Festive Pongal vibes and cultural connection •A relaxed, welcoming space to meet new people 📌 **Please note**: •Attendees will order and pay individually •Limited spots available—please RSVP early **Festive attire is welcome but optional.** Come with an open heart and festive spirit—we look forward to celebrating Pongal with you! 🌾💛

**What makes one market a goldmine and another a money pit?** Success in real estate starts long before you make an offer. Choosing the right market and knowing how to analyze a deal are what separate confident investors from expensive mistakes. At this month’s meeting, we’ll talk about how to evaluate markets, spot demand drivers, and understand local fundamentals. We’ll also walk through how to analyze properties, run the numbers, and determine whether a deal actually makes sense before you move forward. Come for the training, stay for the networking! ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Did you miss it?** [Watch all GRID Reston event playback on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOTh5kxLLJI1G3VH6Pqhlhu0uTA8yrdpi) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ **Join the GRID Facebook Community** [Join the online GRID community here](https://www.facebook.com/groups/gridinvestor) to post deals, ask questions, and connect with other investors across the globe.

**This is a cross-post with Rockville Vegans. Please only RSVP in one place, not both. Thanks!** Celebrate the start of the new year with a focus on health, sustainability, and compassionate living. This special event will feature [Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass ](https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/glass/)who will recognize the importance of plant-based initiatives for our community. Together, with our friends from [Rockville Vegans](https://www.meetup.com/rockville-vegans/) and [The Humane League](thehumaneleague.org) let’s toast [Veganuary ](https://veganuary.com/en-us/)and promote positive change for our health, the planet, and animals! We are happy to gather at a local plant-based business [Rooted3](https://www.rooted3.com/) for a delicious meal. There is no fee to attend but PLEASE DO purchase an entree and drinks. [Check out their menu](Rooted3.com)! **About Veganuary** Since Veganuary was started in 2014, millions of people have [signed up ](https://veganuary.com/en-us/try-vegan/)to take the vegan pledge for the month of January, and now Veganuary has participants in almost every country in the world. Throughout the year, Veganuary encourages and supports people and businesses alike to move to a plant-based diet as a way of protecting the environment, preventing animal suffering, and improving the health of millions of people. [Signing up](https://veganuary.com/en-us/try-vegan/) provides a celebrity cookbook, 31 days of recipes, and vegan coaching emails! Please share with friends and family. **Update Your RSVP** Out of respect for the restaurant and others interested in attending this limited-space event, please update your RSVP promptly as your schedule changes. **Transportation** The restaurant is within walking distance of the Bethesda Metro stop on the Red Line. Parking is available nearby in a garage. **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

HYBRID EVENT, VIRTUAL SPEAKER In this talk, Sean Hoar will explore the transformative journey of AI’s role in modern software engineering, from rapid prototyping (“Vibe Coding”) to strategic AI integration by skilled practitioners. It clarifies the distinctions between AI-assisted, AI-enabled, and practitioner-led approaches, offering insights into how developers can effectively adapt to and harness AI tools. The presentation also highlights recent advancements and practical strategies for leveraging AI in daily workflows and long-term development.