While outlining a five-factor framework for domestic relations fee shifting, a Fairfax County judge nonetheless decided this month that the factors weighed against any fee award in a high-profile divorce case. Judge David A. Oblon found a gap in legal ...

Tagged with: Divorce Fairfax County Judge David A. Oblon

State Sen. Chap Petersen and his litigation client together have been sanctioned for filing what a judge termed a “speculative” lawsuit over business losses by a franchisee. Retired Circuit Judge Joseph J. Ellis – sitting in Fairfax County – ordered ...

Tagged with: Fairfax County Judge Joseph J. Ellis Sanctions Sen. Chap Petersen

A Fairfax County judge says he will not force a Black defendant to go on trial in a courtroom lined with portraits of white judges. Circuit Judge David Bernhard granted a motion to remove courtroom portraits that “overwhelmingly” depict white ...

Tagged with: Fairfax County Judge Grace Burke Carroll race

Type of action: Truck crash Injuries alleged: Wrongful death of mother and fetus, injuries to minor children Court: Fairfax County, Warren County Name of judge or mediator: Hon. (retired) Johanna Fitzpatrick Date resolved: 11/07/2020 Special damages: Injuries to the four ...

Tagged with: Fairfax County Hon. (retired) Johanna Fitzpatrick Settlement Warren County Wrongful Death

Advocates of diversity in the bench and bar say they’re pleased with recent advances in Northern Virginia, but questions remain about whether the progress is sustainable. Observers also see work to be done in making other bar groups more representative. ...

Tagged with: Diversity Fairfax County Northern Virginia Virginia Bar Association Virginia State Bar

After the plaintiff in a medical malpractice wrongful death action submitted 72 changes to her deposition answers, a Virginia circuit judge allowed the defendants a second deposition to inquire about the changes. The Fairfax County case raised an issue occasionally ...

Tagged with: Fairfax County Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death

A Fairfax lawyer is questioning a promise by Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano to continue prosecuting animal cruelty cases. On Aug. 19, WDVM-TV reported that the Fairfax commonwealth’s attorney’s office was no longer prosecuting animal misdemeanor charges and was cutting the ...

Tagged with: Animal cruelty Fairfax County Steve Descano

FAIRFAX — A Fairfax County legal tradition continued this month as lawyers, judges and court staffers turned a parking lot in the shadow of the county jail into a festive, old-timey picnic. Live music, raffle prizes, a color guard and ...

Tagged with: Fairfax County Law Clerks