Free Newsletter
Recent Articles from Matthew Chaney
Medical practice pays $3.3M for alleged unnecessary tests
A Virginia-based pain management practice will pay $3.29 million to settle allegations that it overcharged the federal government and billed it for medically unnecessary tests. The case was brought by former Physical Medicine Associates LTD employee Michelle O’Connor, a physician assistant who said PMA and its practice management company National Spine and Pain Centers LLC […]
VSB’s Young Lawyers Conference awarded for diversity program
A Virginia State Bar program dedicated to introducing young minorities to the legal profession has received a national award for its work. The Oliver Hill/Samuel Tucker Pre-Law Institute won first place in the 2019 Embracing Diversity Challenge hosted by the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. The institute is a collaboration of the VSB’s Young […]
22 elected to Bar Counsel after record turnout
Twenty-two lawyers will begin their terms as Virginia State Bar Counsel members beginning July 1 after they were elected by the highest voter turnout since the bar switched to electronic balloting. Twelve of them will be entering their first three-year term on the counsel. Only seven of the 22 elected counsel members ran in contested […]
High court narrows standard for motions to withdraw plea
Even though a written final order had not been entered, a woman seeking to withdraw a guilty plea could not do so after oral sentencing from the bench, the Supreme Court has ruled. The woman claimed she did not realize fully the consequences of her guilty plea. But the court said that potential job or […]
Opioid strike force to go after docs who overprescribe
A federal task force devoted to prosecuting medical professionals who overprescribe opioids in Appalachia has begun operating in the Western District of Virginia. The Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid strike force began work late last year and has since charged 53 medical professionals, including 31 physicians for their alleged participation in the illegal prescribing and distribution [&hel[...]
4th Circuit reverses controversial photo-use decision
A film festival’s use of a stylized photo of a Washington D.C. neighborhood known for its vibrant nightlife was not a fair use protecting it from a copyright infringement lawsuit, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled. The decision overturns a controversial district court opinion from Alexandria federal court. The case is Brammer […]
Fairfax County license plate readers violate Data Act
The Automatic License Plate Reader system used by the Fairfax County Police Department to collect and store license plate data of non-criminals violates a state data privacy law, a Fairfax County circuit judge has ruled. The decision comes after Judge Robert J. Smith had previously granted summary judgment for the department, finding that license plate […]
Gentry Locke announces firm leadership for 2019
Gentry Locke has announced the selection of its 2019 management committee. Matthew W. Broughton, W. William Gust, Guy M. Harbert, K. Brett Marston and Maxwell H. Wiegard will serve as members alongside managing partner Monica Taylor Monday. The committee oversees all firm operations and strategies, including decisions about organizational structure, budget, business development and recruiting. [&h[...]
Richmond J&DR court to host Oliver Hill Day celebration
For the 22nd year in a row, the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court will host an event honoring the memory of local attorney and civil rights icon Oliver White Hill Sr. Hill is best known for his role in bringing the lawsuit against the Prince Edward County School Board which became part of Brown […]
Richmond attorney elected to American Bankruptcy Institute board
Richmond attorney Jennifer McLemore has been elected to serve on the board of directors of the American Bankruptcy Institute. McLemore’s term on the board will last three years, serving alongside 59 other board members. She previously served as co-chair of the ABI’s Unsecured Trade Creditors Committee and has been a member of the organization since […]
What to tell clients about social media
A client comes in to a lawyer’s office to talk about bringing a claim. Or a client comes in, saying that she just got served with papers. Either way, a lawsuit is going forward. The lawyer needs to have an important conversation with the client about a topic totally unrelated to the lawsuit – the […]
Lawsuit claims ex-EDA director misappropriated $17.6M
The Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority has filed a lawsuit alleging its former executive director misappropriated more than $17.6 million in public funds. The allegations were leveled against Jennifer R. McDonald; the suit also named several of her business associates, including Warren County Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron. In a complaint, the EDA said that McDonald and [&hell[...]
Verdicts & Settlements
- Woodshop incident leads to amputation of fingers — $1.3M settlement
- Motorcyclist’s foot amputated in collision — $7M settlement
- Contractor rear-ended on interstate on way to wedding — $825,000 settlement
- Man suffers back injury in crash with out-of-state driver — $530,000 settlement
- Driver crossed center line, struck 89-year-old’s vehicle — $1.2M settlement
- Jury returns defense verdict in favor of gastroenterologist
- Teens killed in T-bone collision with officer — $3.1M settlement
- Man sustained subdural hematoma in rear-end collision —$1.15M settlement
- Adequate anesthesia not provided during C-section — $2.5M verdict
- Tenant fell ill from mold in apartment — $588,000 verdict
- Woman suffers nerve injury, pain after dental procedure — $550,000 settlement
- Driver struck child exiting school bus — $750,000 settlement
Opinion Digests
- Suit over historic mansion and estate dismissed
- Former employee’s claims survive motion to dismiss
- Equal Pay Act doesn’t apply to applicant
- Court rejects invocation of attorney-client privilege
- Evidence supported competency determination
- Appellees had power to remove business manager
- No continuance after witnesses failed to appear
- No actual or constructive eviction in warranty case
- Gas distribution pipeline exempt from ZBA regulation
- Improper venue in air pollution regulation matter
- No benefits awarded in unemployment comp case
- No immunity for judge who personally oversaw search
