The power of taking a deep breath
Lawyer wellness has been a hot topic over the past few years. In May, the American Bar Association launched its first “Lawyer Well-Being Week.” The goal of the online, week-long event was to raise awareness and encourage the legal profession “to improve well-being for lawyers and support their teams,” according to the website. Many organizations, […]
The importance of a healthy routine
Most of us can recall the routines our parents implemented in our childhood. When we were younger, we woke up at a specific time, did our homework right after school, ate dinner at a regular hour, had playtime, took a shower and went to bed. This daily discipline offered structure and focus in our lives… […]
How to exercise with a face mask
As Virginia eases into Stage 3 and stay-at-home orders become less strict, many “non-essential” businesses have begun reopening their doors – including fitness studios and gyms. While it can be tempting to return to your local Life Time Fitness or YMCA (anything to get out of the house, right?) there are likely a slew of […]
How (and why) to take a digital detox
With the coronavirus and nationwide protests, we’re glued to our screens like never before. When COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic in March, views on Instagram Live doubled in one week, Facebook reported a 70% increase in Messenger group video calls and WhatsApp has seen a 40% increase in usage. With social distancing protocols and […]
Summer wellness tips to try this season
Summer has officially arrived. The turn of the new season often comes with backyard barbecues and trips to the beach. Given some, er, unexpected events that 2020 has brought on (we don’t have to go into the whole worldwide pandemic thing again, do we?) your summer plans likely will look a bit different this year. […]
How to talk to your employer if you’re nervous about going back to work
Most of Virginia entered Phase 2 of the governor’s plan to reopen the commonwealth on June 5. Though many essential workers have already been upholding grocery stores, banks and hospitals, a whole slew of Virginia’s workforce is getting ready to return to places like restaurants, gyms, movie theaters and more. Though we’re all admittedly ready […]
The 5 steps of habit building
According to a study by Duke University, habits account for about 40% of human behavior every day. That means roughly half of people’s daily activities are performed almost the same ways each and every day. Our lives consist of habits we’ve formed over our lifetimes. Brushing your teeth upon waking, running in the afternoon, snacking […]
It’s OK if you’re not being ‘productive’ right now
If “social distancing” is this year’s buzzword, then “productivity” is its runner up. Scrolling through social media, it seems everyone is trying to learn a new quarantine skill. Some people are crocheting couches for their cat. Others have picked up a push-up challenge. Most everyone is baking bread. Someone, somewhere decided that we’re supposed to […]
How to feel less lonely while working from home
More than three in five Americans are lonely, according to a January survey. This study was done two months before the novel coronavirus was declared a worldwide pandemic and social distancing guidelines were put into place. America had a loneliness problem long before COVID-19, but the battle to stop the spread of the virus is […]
How to stay physically and mentally healthy while stuck at home
Most experts advise the keys to healthy living are plenty of sleep, regular exercise and a clean diet. In the height of the coronavirus outbreak, these behaviors are perhaps more crucial than ever before. Most of us can agree these actions are crucial to our physical and mental well-being. But social distancing and stay-at-home orders […]
Try “distant socializing” instead
“Social distancing” is the phrase of the year – if not the decade – and with good reason. The process of voluntarily limiting physical contact with other people has been vital to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. By distancing ourselves from the public, we’re protecting high-risk individuals – and ourselves – from being exposed […]
Laughs in the Time of Coronavirus
Picture this: a bottle of beer all alone in the corner of a fridge, scaring away the rest of the food items, all of which are wearing surgical masks. The beer was a Corona, and this image was perhaps the first of the memes shared on the internet about the coronavirus. A “meme” is an […]
Verdicts & Settlements
- Driver struck twice in rear-end collision at red light — $350,000 settlement
- Drunken driver strikes vehicle on interstate — $200,000 settlement
- Trip and fall on mat leads to knee replacement surgery — $1.5M verdict
- Woman suffers permanent injury in broadside crash — $2.325M settlement
- Teacher injured in accident during morning commute — $1.5M settlement
- 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
Opinion Digests
- Court silent on if ALJs were constitutionally appointed
- Homeowner’s lawsuit barred by res judicata
- Uncertainty over service prevents default judgment
- No stay of case pending resolution of motion
- Man’s unlawful search, seizure claims dismissed
- Amazon shows patent claim is ineligible abstract idea
- Geographical separation dooms trademark claim
- ‘Narcotics trafficker’ defense rejected
- Litigant’s suit against courts, judges dismissed
- Body cam footage properly admitted
- Motion to withdraw pleas properly denied
- Evidence supports murder, conspiracy conviction