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Virginia State Bar

Aug 7, 2023

Bar seeking comment on proposed bylaw amendments

The Virginia State Bar is seeking comment from the public on proposed amendments to the VSB Bylaws and Bylaws of the Council of the VSB.

May 22, 2023

Custis, Moore to receive honors from state bar

The Virginia State Bar will honor a pair of Virginia attorneys later this year with awards. Onancock attorney Henry P. Custis Jr. is this year’s recipient of the Tradition of Excellence Award from the Virginia State Bar’s General Practice Section, according to a May 11 announcement from the VSB. On May 16, the VSB announced […]

Feb 28, 2022

Two lawyers disbarred for preying on elderly clients

Two Virginia lawyers have been stripped of their licenses for taking advantage of elderly clients. Each contested a lengthy list of alleged ethics violations, but both lost their battles with the Virginia State Bar. One lawyer was found to have crafted a will leaving the bulk of a widow’s $1.7 million estate to himself. The […]

Jan 10, 2022

No sanctions for ex-judge; bar dismisses charges

A former Roanoke judge was not sanctioned after the Virginia State Bar dismissed charges of misconduct following a Dec. 17 hearing. The ruling came after a 14-hour hearing that put former Roanoke Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge John Weber III’s relationship with a former client under the microscope. Weber returned to private practice in 2021 […]

Dec 20, 2021

VSB rates candidates for Supreme Court vacancy

A Virginia State Bar committee has reported recommendations to the General Assembly for 15 candidates for a pending vacancy on the Supreme Court of Virginia. The VSB’s Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee, or JCEC, rated the candidates as “qualified” or “highly qualified” to serve on the high court. The vacancy on the Supreme Court was created […]

Oct 11, 2021

VSB to evaluate 18 for Supreme Court vacancy

The Virginia State Bar is set to evaluate 18 candidates for an upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court of Virginia. The individual selected will replace Judge William C. Mims, who announced his retirement from the bench on July 28. Mims, who has served on the court since 2010, will retire when his term ends on […]

Lawyer and client shaking hands
Aug 9, 2021

Rule on lawyer and client sex rejected

The Supreme Court of Virginia has rejected changes proposed by the Virginia State Bar to the Rules of Professional Conduct prohibiting a lawyer from having sexual relations with a current client. In a letter dated July 21, the court denied the VSB’s petition to amend Rules 1.8, 1.10 and 1.15. No reason for the denial […]

Jul 26, 2021

Remote work: LEO clarifies issues surrounding out-of-state lawyers

A North Carolina-based attorney can work out of at a vacation home on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia so long as he works only on cases involving North Carolina or federal law,  according to a proposed Legal Ethics Opinion from the Virginia State Bar. Proposed LEO 1896 states that Virginia has no interest in regulating […]

Jul 26, 2021

VSB rates 45 for 7 appeals court seats

A Virginia State Bar committee has reported recommendations to the General Assembly for 45 candidates for seven vacancies on the Virginia Court of Appeals. The VSB’s Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee, or JCEC, rated candidates as “qualified” or “highly qualified” for the court. The candidates were recommended based on votes taken across several interview dates, including […]

Jun 28, 2021

VSB opinion: Non-lawyer can’t go into court on POA

VIRGINIA BEACH – A proposed Unauthorized Practice of Law opinion concluding that a non-lawyer cannot file pleadings and appear in court pursuant to a power of attorney without running afoul of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act was unanimously approved at the Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting on June 18. The opinion, proposed UPL opinion […]

May 23, 2021

Client must hear of potential fee claim; fired attorney may be entitled to some recovery

A lawyer who takes on a contingency-fee case after the client has fired a previous lawyer has an ethical duty to inform the client that the first lawyer may have a financial claim for the work she did, according to a new Legal Ethics Opinion just approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia. LEO 1878 […]

May 17, 2021

Interviews planned for appeals court candidates

Volunteer lawyers are gearing up to evaluate 46 candidates identified by legislators as new potential contenders for seven open seats on the soon-to-be expanded Court of Appeals of Virginia. The process will take a few months longer than anticipated. General Assembly leaders are hoping to get recommendations from various bar organizations by July 30. The […]

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