The VLW Blog

A former attorney who was disbarred after he paid his son’s school tuition directly from his trust account now has pleaded guilty to mail fraud and tax evasion in connection with misuse of his law practice finances. Steven F. Helm of Salem faces up to 23 years in prison on the charges, although prosecutors have [...]

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Richmond federal Judge John Gibney determined not to impose sanctions on lawyers for adult video makers who have asked the federal courts to help them enforce their copyrights. In an Oct. 5 order, Gibney questioned whether the lawyers for the video companies had filed pleadings for an improper purpose in three separate cases. He suggested [...]

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A mother could attach a father’s federal retirement account to collect a child support arrearage, the Virginia Court of Appeals said today. It did not matter that the mother had waived any personal interest in the retirement account in a premarital agreement, the appellate panel said. In Nkopchieu v. Minlend, the panel reversed an Alexandria [...]

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A Norfolk Circuit judge isn’t taking any chances on having a personal injury case land back in his lap. Judge Everett A. Martin Jr. had a fairly routine premises liability case before him last month. Plaintiff Daniel Moran was thinking of buying a house owned by Fannie Mae. He got the lock-box combination from the [...]

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The latest General Assembly effort to limit deferral of decisions on criminal matters comes from Del. David Albo. chair of the House Courts Committee. Albo, R-Fairfax, has introduced House Bill 51 to give judges 72 hours to convict or acquit in criminal cases, unless both sides agree to waive the deadline. Judges also could notify [...]

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The governor’s budget is out, and it looks like good news for the courts and the bar. Gov. Bob McDonnell proposes to add $1 million in each of the two years of the budget to restore funding for up to five previously authorized judgeships that currently are vacant. The McDonnell budget also would add $2 [...]

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Loudoun County General District Judge Julia Cannon has announced she will retire next year. Cannon confirms she will step down on April 30. Cannon will have served on the bench for 20 years. Cannon is among three Northern Virginia judges who recently have announced retirement plans. Also planning to hang up the robe are Fairfax [...]

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The Supreme Court of Virginia has granted Richmond legislator Joe Morrissey’s petition for reinstatement of his law license. In an order released today, the Supreme Court set conditions for final action: Morrissey must provide evidence he has attended 60 hours of continuing legal education within the past five years, and he has to pass the [...]

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Richmond Circuit Judge Beverly W. Snukals has denied an injunction in a Democratic party lawsuit intended to head off Republican control of the Virginia Senate. In a suit filed by Sen. Don McEachin, D-Richmond, against Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, the Democrats asked the court to declare that Bolling was not entitled to vote to break [...]

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Fairfax County Circuit Judge Leslie Alden says she will retire from the bench next year. Alden confirmed in an email she will step down when her term expires on July 31. She has served on the court since 1996. Alden is a member of the 2010 class of VLW’s Influential Women of Virginia. She has [...]

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