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VBA debate to be live-streamed on PBS
Can’t make it to The Homestead later this month for the Virginia Bar Association’s gubernatorial debate but you still want to watch the fireworks? PBS has you covered. VBA Executive Director Yvonne McGhee reports that for the first time ever, one of the VBA’s debates will be live-streamed, at pbs.org. The group got confirmation of […]
Mediation a key tool for work with veterans
VIRGINIA BEACH – Virginia bar leaders hope to boost the number of lawyers volunteering to help veterans with their legal struggles, and educating attorneys about the special needs of military clients is part of the effort. Experts in dealing with veterans, especially those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, offered insights and […]
Former bar leader Lewis is disbarred
Once a leading Northern Virginia divorce lawyer and former president of the Virginia Bar Association, Vienna attorney Glenn C. Lewis has been stripped of his law license by a panel of the Virginia State Bar disciplinary board. The action May 17 came after a hearing on charges that Lewis spent the fees paid by two […]
Assembly trims judge funding plans
The budget approved by the General Assembly Saturday provides money for unfreezing only five extra judgeships in addition to the 15 proposed in Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposal. Earlier this month, the House and Senate introduced budget plans that were far more generous to the judiciary. The House proposed filling an extra 17 judgeships and the […]
VBA taps leaders for the coming year
WILLIAMSBURG – Roanoke lawyer Thomas R. Bagby became president of the Virginia Bar Association at the group’s annual meeting in late January. The other new officers of the VBA: John L. Walker III of Richmond as president-elect, Harry M. “Pete” Johnson III of Richmond as chair of the Board of Governors, and Hugh M. Fain […]
Fellowship, 2013 edition
WILLIAMSBURG–The Virginia Law Foundation inducted 17 Virginia lawyers last night as its 2013 Class of Fellows. The VLF holds its induction dinner each year in connection with the Virginia Bar Association winter meeting. Members of the Class of 2013 are: David N. Anthony, Richmond – Troutman Sanders William L. Babcock Jr., Alexandria – William L. […]
Notes from the VBA summer meeting
HOT SPRINGS—Members of the Virginia Bar Association made their way to the mountains this past weekend for the group’s summer meeting, the highlight of which was the Virginia senatorial debate between two ex-governors, Republican George Allen and Democrat Tim Kaine. Temperatures in the mornings were in the 60s, a huge relief from the oven routine […]
Can we talk? Combatting the fear of runaway fees
A couple of years ago, a lawyer and his partner went to pitch a client for work on a closely held business dispute. The competition was heavy and costs were a significant concern. “What are your rates?” one of the client’s representatives bluntly asked. They were high, the lawyer knew, and he knew they were […]
10 Questions for VBA President Hugh Fain
1.?What is your 30-second (or 50-word) elevator speech about why a lawyer should join the VBA? We are privileged to be a part of the legal profession, and with that privilege comes responsibility. The VBA advances the highest ideals of our profession through advocacy and volunteer service. Joining and supporting the VBA offers Virginia lawyers […]
Doctor discipline cases can challenge lawyer ethics
A doctor hires a lawyer to represent the doctor on disciplinary charges before the Virginia Board of Medicine. A former patient claims the doctor had a sexual relationship with a second patient. The doctor is a little dodgy. He indicates the board’s inquiries may have some factual basis. But the board doesn’t ask the right […]
Assembly approves Rules of Evidence
After what one sponsor termed a “roller coaster” ride in the final days of the session, the 2012 General Assembly approved the creation of a unified set of evidence rules for Virginia courts. Approval of an official Rules of Evidence for Virginia follows about 18 years of discussion and planning. Enactment of the evidence rules […]
Assembly addresses issues in elder law
Bills that would keep Virginia competitive in wealth management are making their way through the General Assembly, reports the head of the Virginia Bar Association’s Wills, Trusts and Estates section. Richmond lawyer Farhad Aghdami, chair of the VBA section, noted the success of Senate Bill 180 which provides liability protection for a trustee acting in […]
Verdicts & Settlements
- Plaintiff injured in crash with oncoming vehicle — $235,000 settlement
- Driver killed in rear-end collision with tractor-trailer — $1.5M settlement
- Man died from pancreatic cancer after delayed response — $1.8M settlement
- Worker fell off roof, rendering him a paraplegic — $1.25M settlement
- Driver sustained permanent hearing loss after traffic collision — $240,000 settlement
- Plaintiff suffered concussion in rear-end collision — $81,000 verdict
- Builder misrepresented home status to buyers — $675,000 verdict
- Low potassium led to cardiac arrest, death of patient — $1M settlement
- Excessive propofol caused death in dialysis patient — $850,000 settlement
- Pedestrian struck in crosswalk in hit-and-run incident — $300,000 settlement
- Navy veteran killed in collision with box truck — $1.85M arbitration award
- Motorcyclist ejected from bike in collision with SUV — $1.5M settlement
Opinion Digests
- Company owner dodges breach of contract suit
- Employee’s own allegations doom minimum wage claim
- Federal government defeats former employee’s claims
- Principal wasn’t entitled to exclusively remote work
- USPTO properly redacted info in responsive documents
- Untimely lawsuit allowed to proceed
- Engineering consultant dismissed from suit
- Rule 60 motion was filed too late
- Nonprofit directors immune from ex-employees’ claims
- City, employees immune from whistleblower claims
- Experts excluded in condemnation damages suit
- Judgment entered against company for horse’s death
