After years of resistance, the General Assembly has finally agreed to raise the mandatory retirement age for Virginia judges, but not for judges currently working in the state’s trial courts. The Assembly’s proposal would raise the retirement age from 70 ...

Tagged with: General Assembly Gov. Terry McAuliffe Judgeships

While the Supreme Court of Virginia weighs the role of trial judges as gatekeepers to keep “junk science” out of the courtroom, the General Assembly has sent a message that it intends to be involved in any changes in the ...

Tagged with: General Assembly Gov. Terry McAuliffe Justice Elizabeth A. McClanahan Supreme Court of Virginia News

Gov. Terry McAuliffe has vetoed a bill to require public posting of most state contracts with private lawyers. Billed as a government transparency measure, Senate Bill 1059 was sponsored by Sen. Mark. D. Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg. “The legislation would have enhanced ...

Tagged with: Attorneys General Assembly Gov. Terry McAuliffe

Gov. Terry McAuliffe has approved a new law to make it easier to sue online mudslingers. The governor’s March 16 signature will add extra time for victims of anonymous Internet defamation to learn the identities of their tormentors. The current ...

Tagged with: Defamation Fairfax County Circuit Court General Assembly Gov. Terry McAuliffe Judge Robert J. Smith

With a ruling from the Speaker of the House, money to add up to 36 funded judgeships to Virginia’s trial courts will remain part of the state budget for the next two years. Speaker William Howell ruled Monday that Gov. ...

Tagged with: General Assembly Gov. Terry McAuliffe Judgeships

The General Assembly passed a new state budget June 12 – including money for filling some judicial vacancies – but only after adopting a Republican-backed amendment to ensure that Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe cannot expand Medicaid without legislative approval. The ...

Tagged with: General Assembly Gov. Terry McAuliffe Judgeships

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced his appointments to the governing boards of Virginia’s public colleges and universities June 2. The boards that govern Virginia’s higher education system include the Boards of Visitors for Virginia colleges and universities, the Virginia State Board ...

Tagged with: Gov. Terry McAuliffe

Circuit judges will have a 60-day deadline to decide issues in civil cases under a new requirement approved by the General Assembly. The deadline triggers a call for a written report to the parties stating when a decision can be ...

Tagged with: General Assembly Gov. Terry McAuliffe Justice Cynthia D. Kinser