Weekly Edition
Judicial evaluation program gets new leadership
By Deborah Elkins
May 19, 2008
WILLIAMSBURG—There will be some new faces in the Judicial Performance Evaluation Program, as two of the people who helped launch the program turn the reins over to new leadership.
Justice Lawrence L. Koontz Jr., of the Supreme Court of Virginia, is assuming the duties of Justice Barbara Milano Keenan, who chaired the Supreme Court task force […]
One-handed jail applicant can sue under the ADA
By Peter Vieth
May 19, 2008
A one-handed applicant rejected for a job as a guard at a regional jail can go forward with her employment discrimination claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a Norfolk federal judge has ruled.
To overcome the conclusions of the jail superintendent and the jail’s doctor that the plaintiff could not safely perform the job, the […]
Obituaries
By Virginia Lawyers Weekly
May 19, 2008
David T. Stitt
David T. Stitt, a Fairfax circuit judge for more than 12 years and a former county attorney, died May 10 after suffering a heart attack while on vacation in Topsail Beach, N.C. He was 65.
Judge Stitt was born in St. Louis but his family moved when he was 2 to Austin, Texas, where […]
Man pleads guilty to spying on behalf of Chinese government
By News in Brief
May 19, 2008
ALEXANDRIA—A New Orleans furniture salesman has pleaded guilty to spying for the Chinese government and providing Beijing with secret information on military relations between the United States and Taiwan.
Tai Shen Kuo, 58, a Taiwan native and naturalized U.S. citizen, faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 8.
Kuo’s lawyers, Plato […]
Circuit City challenges fine over TV notices
By News in Brief
May 19, 2008
Federal regulators should throw out fines imposed against Circuit City Stores Inc. for violating rules regarding next year’s switch from analog to digital television, the consumer electronics retailer said in a filing Tuesday.
The Federal Communications Com-mission last month fined Circuit City, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Best Buy Co. and other retailers a combined $3.9 million […]
Dulles to test customs self-check by travellers
By News in Brief
May 19, 2008
WASHINGTON—Travelers who love going abroad – but hate the tedious customs process – may soon be able to avoid it altogether.
Dulles International Airport has been selected for a pilot program which will let U.S. citizens and others who qualify check themselves through customs at a self-service kiosk.
The domestic program is called “CLEAR” and […]
Hudson to UR law grads: Work on personal ties most
By News in Brief
May 19, 2008
Henry E. Hudson, judge of the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia, told 162 graduates of the University of Richmond School of Law that building relationships with the people you love is the most important thing in life – everything else is secondary.
He said the full realization of what […]
Hart gains Roanoke-area pro bono award
By News in Brief
May 19, 2008
Ross C. Hart, an attorney in Salem, received the 23rd Circuit’s pro bono award for 2007 earlier this month at the annual meeting of the Salem/Roanoke County Bar Association.
Hart was nominated for the award by John E. Whitfield, executive director and general counsel of Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc., who noted that Hart […]
VBA Young Lawyes to host second annual diversity job fair
By News in Brief
May 19, 2008
Registration is now open to law firms and legal employers for the second annual Diversity Job Fair.
This year’s job fair, sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division of The Virginia Bar Association, is scheduled for Saturday, August 16, at the Embassy Suites Richmond Hotel. The deadline for employer registration is Friday, June 6.
A […]
VBA gives Book Center grant for ‘Big Read’
By News in Brief
May 19, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE—The Virginia Bar Association has presented the Virginia Foundation Center for the Book with a $1,500 grant to support two statewide student competitions for the Center’s “Big Read in Virginia” project based on Harper Lee’s classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.
Students in grades 9-12 were invited to submit entries to either the Student Essay Competition […]
NEWS FROM VIRGINIA LAWYERS WEEKLY
- Lobbyist Vicki Iseman files $27M suit against New York Times
- Costly Mold: Loudoun couple awarded $4.75M for mold injuries
- Nine seek a seat on Appeals Court
- Customer wins $1M in suit against Web developer
- I, the Juror: A very, very short tour of (jury) duty
- Dueling Web sites: Surnames the same, domain names… only an “L” apart
IMPORTANT OPINIONS
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