Virginia Lawyers Weekly VA Lawyers Weekly

Two proposals supported by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce at the General Assembly could offer comfort for businesses involved in litigation – without drawing fire from trial lawyers. One plan would allow summary judgment in business disputes in Virginia courts ...

Tagged with: General Assembly

Despite earlier objections that legislators were rushing to fill a judgeship with a pre-ordained candidate, General Assembly Republicans on Jan. 16 elected Fauquier County Commonwealth’s Attorney James P. Fisher to the circuit court bench. Fisher will take office July 1 ...

Tagged with: General Assembly Judge Patricia L. West Judge William H. Cleaveland

Despite numerous bills being introduced on the topic a year ago, it is currently still legal to use cell phone apps while driving in Virginia. While it is currently illegal to text or email while driving, legislators and safety advocates ...

Tagged with: General Assembly

A lawyer charged with helping his wife plunder money from the campaign chest of a Virginia state senator and two other organizations cannot shield his two homes from possible forfeiture, a federal appeals court ruled last month. The 4th U.S. ...

Tagged with: 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals News Judge Allyson K. Duncan Judge T.S. Ellis III

Direct evidence of government payment and receipt of fraudulent services must be alleged at the pleading stage for a qui tam action to survive a motion to dismiss, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled. Despite this, a ...

Tagged with: 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals News Judge Allyson K. Duncan Judge Barbara Milano Keenan Whistleblower

A lube shop’s lawsuit against a Virginia county over an obstructive sinkhole is going forward, even though the county claimed the business lacks the standing to sue. The suit arises from a large ground collapse that blocked the main entrance ...

Tagged with: Judge Jeanette A. Irby Loudoun County Circuit Court Virginia Circuit Courts

At least three elected prosecutors in Northern Virginia this year are facing opponents promising new approaches to criminal law. Contests are underway in Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun counties, while observers watch to see what happens in Prince William County, where ...

Tagged with: Elections Prosecutors

Virginia Lawyers Media, the publisher of Virginia Lawyers Weekly, has announced the inaugural class of “Influential Women of Law.” This new awards program honors women attorneys and judges for their excellent work on behalf of their clients, their commitment to ...

Foreclosure trustees have fiduciary duties that go beyond those enumerated by a deed of trust, the Supreme Court of Virginia has ruled in a split decision, reminding trustees that they must also consider their duty to serve as a neutral ...

Tagged with: Justice Cleo E. Powell Supreme Court of Virginia News Trustees

As is the custom this time of year, here are the top intellectual property stories, including cases, of the past year: More than a feeling The 1st Circuit case of Scholz v. Goudreau doesn’t have much to do with IP. ...