Weekly Edition
Battle is on over Episcopal Church property
By Peter Vieth
April 14, 2008
A Fairfax County Circuit judge has set the stage for what promises to be a hard-fought court battle over title to property occupied by 11 breakaway Episcopal Church congregations in Virginia. In an 83-page opinion, Judge Randy Bellows determined that Virginia law provides a vehicle for determining ownership of the disputed land.
The critical question […]
There for the asking…
By Alan Cooper
April 14, 2008
The money is there for the asking, and more court-appointed criminal defense attorneys are asking.
But are they asking soon enough to maintain credibility with the General Assembly?
After complaining for decades about the fee caps for court-appointed lawyers, proponents of eliminating them won what they thought was a significant victory in the 2007 legislative session.
The fee […]
Debtor’s revoked discharge reversed
By Deborah Elkins
April 14, 2008
A Virginia Beach debtor, whose bankruptcy discharge was revoked when she refinanced her home days after the discharge, regained her discharge when her case went to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Allison Marie Jordan’s bankruptcy appeal posed the question of just how “intransigent” a debtor has to be for a court to revoke her […]
Sacks is new leader of the VTLA
By Alan Cooper
April 14, 2008
Andrew M. Sacks, the new president of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, wants a more expansive definition.
That’s hardly surprising because Sacks is one of a small minority of attorneys to be recognized as a top advocate in both civil and criminal cases. He has earned that recognition despite practicing with only one other lawyer, his […]
Judge enjoins new ‘easier’ patent application rules
By Alan Cooper
April 14, 2008
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office tried to reduce the workload of its examiners by enacting rules intended to limit repetitive filings.
However, U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris in Alexandria ruled earlier this month the proposed rules would go to the substance of the PTO’s work and not just to its procedures. As a result, […]
Couple sues Google, saying pictures on ‘Street View’ violate privacy
By Real Estate Briefs
April 14, 2008
PITTSBURGH—A western Pennsylvania couple has sued Google Inc., saying pictures of their home on its Web site violate their privacy and devalued their property.
Images of the home Aaron and Christine Boring bought in the Pittsburgh suburb of Franklin Park in October 2006 appeared on Google’s “Street View” feature, which allows users to find street-level photos […]
New low for pending home sales in February is latest sign of problems
By Real Estate Briefs
April 14, 2008
WASHINGTON—Homeowners and investors hunting for any indication that the housing market has bottomed out didn’t get it last week, as the latest home sales data from a real estate trade group moved that sign further down the road to recovery.
The National Association of Realtors said pending U.S. home sales fell in February to the lowest […]
Industry’s hand seen in housing measures before Congress
By Real Estate Briefs
April 14, 2008
WASHINGTON—Even supporters acknowledge that the Senate’s housing bill is a partial fix for growing problems in the residential real estate market.
That’s why congressional Democrats are rolling out more aggressive responses, most prominently a plan for the government to insure up to $400 billion in troubled mortgages, which would be refinanced at more affordable rates. Some […]
Stafford County considers ‘family’ rule for single-family homes
By Real Estate Briefs
April 14, 2008
STAFFORD—Stafford County supervisors said a proposal to limit the number of unrelated people who can live in a single-family home is not directly aimed at day laborers or illegal immigrants.
The Board of Supervisors considered amending the zoning ordinance on April 1 to limit a residential dwelling to three people not related by blood, marriage, adoption […]
‘Courageous Advocate’ Award renamed to honor Oliver Hill
By Virginia Lawyers Weekly
April 14, 2008
The Virginia Trial Lawyers Association has renamed its “Courageous Advocate” Award for civil rights icon Oliver W. Hill Sr., The Hill award was presented posthumously to Frank W. Dunham Jr. at the VTLA Annual Meeting late last month.
The Courageous Advocate Award had been presented only twice during its 20-year history. The VTLA Board of Governors […]
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