Bill seeks bar membership for law profs, court won’t block

Assembly trims judge funding plans

By Peter Vieth
Published: February 27, 2013
Tags: Fairfax County Circuit Court, General Assembly, Gov. Bob McDonnell, Judgeships, Loudoun County Circuit Court, Virginia Bar Association, Virginia Beach Circuit Court

The budget approved by the General Assembly Saturday provides money for unfreezing only five extra judgeships in addition to the 15 proposed in Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposal. Earlier this month, the House and Senate introduced budget plans that were far more generous to the judiciary. The House proposed filling an extra 17 judgeships and the [...]

VBA taps leaders for the coming year

By Virginia Lawyers Weekly
Published: February 7, 2013
Tags: Bar Associations, Virginia Bar Association

WILLIAMSBURG – Roanoke lawyer Thomas R. Bagby became president of the Virginia Bar Association at the group’s annual meeting in late January. The other new officers of the VBA: John L. Walker III of Richmond as president-elect, Harry M. “Pete” Johnson III of Richmond as chair of the Board of Governors, and Hugh M. Fain [...]

Can we talk? Combatting the fear of runaway fees

By Deborah Elkins
Published: July 18, 2012
Tags: Corporate Counsel, Practice Tips, Virginia Bar Association

A couple of years ago, a lawyer and his partner went to pitch a client for work on a closely held business dispute. The competition was heavy and costs were a significant concern. “What are your rates?” one of the client’s representatives bluntly asked. They were high, the lawyer knew, and he knew they were [...]

10 Questions for VBA President Hugh Fain

By Virginia Lawyers Weekly
Published: July 16, 2012
Tags: Virginia Bar Association

1.?What is your 30-second (or 50-word) elevator speech about why a lawyer should join the VBA? We are privileged to be a part of the legal profession, and with that privilege comes responsibility. The VBA advances the highest ideals of our profession through advocacy and volunteer service. Joining and supporting the VBA offers Virginia lawyers [...]

Doctor discipline cases can challenge lawyer ethics

By Deborah Elkins
Published: May 23, 2012
Tags: Ethics, Virginia Bar Association

A doctor hires a lawyer to represent the doctor on disciplinary charges before the Virginia Board of Medicine. A former patient claims the doctor had a sexual relationship with a second patient. The doctor is a little dodgy. He indicates the board’s inquiries may have some factual basis. But the board doesn’t ask the right [...]

Assembly approves Rules of Evidence

By Peter Vieth
Published: March 14, 2012
Tags: General Assembly, Rules of Evidence, Virginia Bar Association

After what one sponsor termed a “roller coaster” ride in the final days of the session, the 2012 General Assembly approved the creation of a unified set of evidence rules for Virginia courts. Approval of an official Rules of Evidence for Virginia follows about 18 years of discussion and planning. Enactment of the evidence rules [...]

Assembly addresses issues in elder law

By Peter Vieth
Published: February 20, 2012
Tags: Elder Law, General Assembly, Virginia Bar Association

Bills that would keep Virginia competitive in wealth management are making their way through the General Assembly, reports the head of the Virginia Bar Association’s Wills, Trusts and Estates section. Richmond lawyer Farhad Aghdami, chair of the VBA section, noted the success of Senate Bill 180 which provides liability protection for a trustee acting in [...]

Capital One’s Justice Server program links pro bono lawyers to clients

By Deborah Elkins
Published: January 20, 2012
Tags: Corporate Counsel, Law Firms, Legal Aid, Virginia Bar Association

Lawyers and information-technology experts at Capital One are teaming up with private and public sector lawyers to streamline the administration of pro bono legal work in Virginia. Lawyers who do pro bono work find that one of the best ways to reach clients is to work through state and local legal aid organizations. Legal aid [...]

The VBA Legislative Agenda for the 2012 session

By Virginia Lawyers Weekly
Published: January 17, 2012
Tags: General Assembly, Virginia Bar Association

Highlights of legislation backed by the Virginia Bar Association, the Boyd-Graves Conference, the Virginia Family Law Coalition and the Virginia Alternative Dispute Resolution Joint Committee. Rules of Evidence. The Boyd-Graves Conference strongly supports passage of the Virginia Rules of Evidence as approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia. Protection of Trustee acting at the direction [...]