Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Judge Henry E. Hudson

Sep 11, 2023

Alleged housing bias suit transferred

Where a homeowners’ association and property manager were sued for alleged housing discrimination, but the properties at issue, a majority of the parties and a majority of the witnesses were located in the Western District of Virginia, the suit was transferred to that court. Background According to the operative complaint, plaintiffs purchased three properties in […]

Sep 11, 2023

Class conditionally certified in kitchen worker OT suit

Where multiple persons submitted declarations showing that they worked as kitchen workers performing closely related tasks, and regularly worked more than 40 hours a week without overtime pay, their motion for conditional certification was granted. Background This case arises from a Fair Labor Standards Act, or FLSA, claim, in which plaintiffs, who are allegedly employees […]

Sep 7, 2023

Carriers dodge claims by disgruntled insured

Where a man alleged his automobile insurance carriers acted with ill-intent in refusing to settle an insurance claim for the full cost of the repairs to his vehicle, but his fraud, negligence and bad faith claims failed as a matter of law, the suit was dismissed. Background Edward M. Call, who was in a collision […]

Facebook on phone screen
Sep 4, 2023

Sharing husband’s social media posts exposes wife to tort liability

A woman’s assault, defamation and malicious prosecutions allegations against a Virginia attorney and his wife have survived dismissal.

Aug 30, 2023

Wife reposted husband’s allegedly defamatory posts

Where a wife reposted her husband’s allegedly defamatory Facebook posts about the plaintiff knowing that what she was posting was false or at least inherently improbable, her motion to dismiss the defamation claim was denied. Background Pamela K. Hartnett’s amended complaint asserts claims of assault and battery, defamation, negligence, gross negligence, willful and wanton negligence, [&hellip[...]

Aug 20, 2023

Ex-employee’s constitutional claims dismissed

Where a woman asserted federal claims against the Nottoway County Electoral Board following her termination from the General Registrar’s Office, but the Board and its members were entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity, the woman’s constitutional claims were dismissed. Background Sharon Caldwell served 20 years in the General Registrar’s Office for Nottoway County. On Sept. 24, […]

Aug 20, 2023

Board entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity

Where the former employee of the Nottoway County Electoral Board alleged violations of her rights under the United States Constitution, the board was entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity because it was an arm of the state. Background Angela Stewart filed her second amended complaint on March 8, 2023. She alleges that the Nottoway County Electoral […]

Jul 27, 2023

Claim dismissed due to lack of interstate nexus

Where a company alleged that defendants unlawfully obtained, used and benefited from its trade secrets, and sued them under the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act, or DTSA, but its complaint failed to allege a nexus between interstate or foreign commerce and the alleged trade secrets, it was dismissed. Background Mid-Atlantic Field Services LLC has filed […]

Jul 25, 2023

Ex-attorney sanctioned for ‘inexcusable’ conduct

Where a former attorney acting pro se sent dozens of harassing email messages to defendants, their counsel and others, and acted to increase the costs and burdens of litigation, the defendants were awarded fees and costs. Background The allegations of this case stem from state-court custody and divorce proceedings occurring in the Fredericksburg Juvenile and […]

Jul 18, 2023

No duty to pay benefits on cancelled policy

Where a man affirmatively cancelled his life insurance policy before he died, the carrier prevailed on his heirs’ claim for benefits. Background Paige Reynolds, Caroline Reynolds and Alison Reynolds brought this lawsuit challenging USAA Life Insurance Company’s denial of John Paul Reynolds’ life insurance policy proceeds. USAA asserts that it was not required to pay […]

Jul 7, 2023

Assault with weapon is crime of violence

Where a defendant argued his guilty plea for using a destructive device in an attempted crime of violence was invalid because none of the underlying predicate offenses qualified as a “crime of violence,” but one of the underlying offenses was for assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon in violation of 18 U.S.C. […]

Jun 22, 2023

Officers prevail in suit over fatal shooting

Where officers fatally shot a man after he led them on a high-speed chase, refused to follow their commands and reached for a handgun, the officers were entitled to qualified immunity. The officers’ actions were objectively reasonable and did not violate a clearly established constitutional right. Background This case arises from the tragic death of […]

Verdicts & Settlements

See All Verdicts & Settlements

Opinion Digests

See All Digests