The VLW Blog

Troutman Sanders LLP has opened an office in Beijing. The new office is the third in China for the firm, which started a Hong Kong office in 1997 and an office in Shanghai in 2007. With the addition, Troutman has about three dozen lawyers in China. The new office will be led by Allen Shyu, [...]

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The National Labor Relations Board has released the third in a series of memos that detail common pitfalls in employment social media policies. The report, which was released last month, stressed that policy provisions are unlawful if they interfere with workers’ ability to exercise their labor rights by discouraging communication among co-workers on social media [...]

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The United States Supreme Court has upheld the federal health care law, finding the critical individual mandate provision valid under Congress’ taxing powers, although not under its power to regulate commerce. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who opposed the health care law, initially said the court’s decision marked a “dark day for American liberty.” Later, [...]

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The University of Virginia Board of Visitors Tuesday unanimously reversed its earlier decision to oust school president Teresa Sullivan. The school announced the decision in a news release available on its website. Sullivan was asked to resign earlier this month by Rector Helen Dragas and other board members. Sullivan today pledged to set aside differences [...]

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Gov. Bob McDonnell wants to know “as soon as practicable” if you want to be a judge. The governor has authority to fill circuit court judgeships left unfilled by the General Assembly. There are three, in the 6th, 10th and 29th judicial circuits. The 6th Circuit vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Samuel [...]

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The Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission has appointed Meredith Farrar-Owens as its new director, the Supreme Court of Virginia has announced. Farrar-Owens is the second person to serve as director since the Sentencing Commission was established by the General Assembly in 1994. A judicial branch agency, the commission develops discretionary sentencing guidelines for use by circuit [...]

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A wife wins her appeal and attorney’s fees after her husband violated their PSA by failing to name her as a beneficiary of his military survivor benefit plan, the Virginia Court of Appeals said today. Its decision in Nelson v. Nelson was one of three divorce cases decided today by unpublished opinion. A Fairfax Circuit [...]

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Advocates clashed Monday over whether a new U.S. Supreme Court decision gives a victory to those who favor allowing police to ask for documentation from suspected illegal immigrants without probable cause. The chair of the Prince William County board of supervisors praised the high court’s opinion. “I think they completely reaffirmed what Prince William County [...]

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Getting punched out on the job may be an occupational hazard for a club doorman, so it’s good to know workers’ comp can cover the dental expenses. Joshua Mays won medical benefits for injuries to his front teeth and jaw when he was assaulted while on duty at the door at Club 216 in Richmond. [...]

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Hopewell General District Judge Kenneth Nye has been cleared to hold court again as a retired judge. Nye presided over court Thursday, according to court clerk Deborah Hatcher. Nye was asked to step aside from judicial duties in April after Hopewell Commonwealth’s Attorney Rick Newman complained about Nye’s practices as a judge, including an alleged [...]

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