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How the legal profession could fight burnout better
When a job takes a toll on your physical health, regulators step in to set certain safety guidelines. But there’s not much help for those of us in jobs that hurt our mental health. Members of the legal profession—including lawyers, paralegals and support staff—face working conditions that could not be worse for our own well-being. […]
Three groups partner for ‘Lawyer Wellness Challenge’
Billed as “Virginia’s premiere wellness competition,” groups from across the commonwealth are partnering for the 2nd Annual Lawyer Wellness Challenge. The challenge, a 10-day virtual competition, is a collaboration among the Virginia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Virginia Judges & Lawyers Assistance Program and the Supreme Court of Virginia’s Lawyer Wellness Initiative. T[...]
Life after vaccinations — a look at hotel safety
(AP) Do I need to take precautions at hotels if I’m vaccinated? Most people won’t need to, but it depends on your situation. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk of COVID-19 is low if you’re fully vaccinated, and that you can resume indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask […]
Survey on burnout in the legal field underway
A 2016 study supported by the American Bar Association confirmed elevated rates of “problematic alcohol use and symptoms of depression” among 13,000 participating practicing lawyers. Five years later, the non-medical condition of “burnout” is getting a similar look. The Institute for Well-Being in Law is sponsoring a research study to help understand burnout, or unmanaged […]
Virginia group gears up for wellness in law week
A pair of national studies in 2016 put a light on an unsettling trend: Attorneys and law students faced higher-than-average rates of problem drinking, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Born out of that finding was a 17-member task force that became the Institute for Well-Being in Law, a non-profit organization focused on creating a “culture […]
Virginia Lawyers Wellness — How to have healthy conversations about politics
Though the pandemic may limit the amount of political conversations you have with family members this holiday season, it’s likely you’ll still run into quite a few in the upcoming months. And in a deeply divided political climate, it’s difficult to talk with others with opposing views without the conversation turning into a full blown […]
Celebrate Thanksgiving safely during COVID-19
Thanksgiving will look much different from years past. Big celebrations are out. Traveling, for the most part, is off the table. And though you may be used to setting large tables for holidays gatherings, you may be limited to celebrating Thanksgiving with your immediate family this year. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious diseases […]
Getting the flu shot: 10 things to know
We’ve all heard talks of the “second wave” and how we need to prepare for an uptick of COVID-19 cases this winter. A rise in coronavirus cases means more people in the hospital and more COVID-19 patients for doctors and nurses to tend to. U.S. health officials are therefore pushing Americans to get vaccinated against […]
Staying active this fall
It seems as though staying active is just a bit easier during the summer. Even chores such as mowing the lawn and washing the car can be enjoyable when the weather is warm. But physical tasks can become significantly more arduous when temperatures start to drop. Backyard workouts and morning jogs that were once enjoyable […]
How employers can support parents working at home
In the absence of daycares and in-person schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic, working parents have scrambled together a childcare strategy, which likely includes plenty of screen time, stress and guilt. Working from home has been a difficult adjustment for all; but the transition has been particularly difficult for parents. With children at home full-time, a […]
Work from home “burnout”: What it is, how to manage it
Remote workers are allotted more flexibility to take breaks when they please because, for the most part, they are setting their own schedules – or at least have less rigid structures than they did while being in the office from 9 to 5. But perhaps ditching the commute and “going to work” in your sweatpants isn’t […]
JLAP encourages lawyers to “connect” at virtual fall retreat
Though Virginia has begun to reopen since COVID-19 caused businesses to shut down in March, people still are encouraged to stay at home and follow social distancing guidelines whenever possible. Therefore, rather than cancel its yearly event entirely, the Virginia Judges & Lawyers Assistance Program will host the 16th Annual VJLAP Fall Retreat entirely online. […]
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
