Weekly Edition
Property owners’ group law at issue in Assembly, court
By Peter Vieth
June 30, 2008
With fast-track legislation at the state Capitol intended to provide a quick fix for concerns in one Virginia community, and claims of racketeering going to trial in another, the Virginia Property Owners’ Association Act remains a lightning rod for controversy and litigation.
Sen. Jill H. Vogel, R-Warrenton, last week won quick Senate approval for proposed amendments […]
Mandatory coverage debate is still going
By Alan Cooper
June 30, 2008
The Virginia State Bar has been kicking the mandatory legal malpractice can down the road for three years, as one VSB Council member put it, and that was enough for some council members.
They attempted to boot the concept to the side of the road at its meeting in Virginia Beach on June 19, but council […]
Capsalis to emphasize protection, diversity
By Alan Cooper
June 30, 2008
Manuel A. Capsalis says he wants to emphasize public protection and diversity during his year as Virginia State Bar president.
Public protection is “the very core of our mission,” he said, and “the rule of law and diversity are inextricably linked. Without diversity, there is a very strong perception that the rule of law means different […]
Court withdraws order on notice of appeal
By Alan Cooper
June 30, 2008
Oops!
The Supreme Court of Virginia is never so direct – or colloquial.
But that appears to be what it is saying in withdrawing a published order holding that a notice of appeal is ineffective if it is filed after a judge rules from the bench but before a written order is entered.
That order came down June […]
‘Scary’ stuff: Defaults and sanctions on the rise
By Alan Cooper
June 30, 2008
VIRGINIA BEACH—Senior Virginia Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth B. Lacy insisted that the court is not playing “gotcha” with litigants.
“We want to deal with substantive issues,” she said as a member of a panel at the Virginia State Bar annual meeting earlier this month.
But she acknowledged that the two state appellate courts appear to be […]
Wiley’s GP award win is a first for government lawyers
By Peter Vieth
June 30, 2008
VIRGINIA BEACH—This year’s Tradition of Excellence award, the annual accolade given by the Virginia State Bar’s General Practice Section, went to a man who has devoted his career to government law. In honoring Richmond lawyer Roger C. Wiley Jr., the VSB sought to give recognition to local government lawyers as general practitioners.
Now in private […]
Bar groups lauded for outstanding projects
By Virginia Lawyers Weekly
June 30, 2008
VIRGINIA BEACH—The Virginia State Bar’s Conference of Local Bar Associations holds an Awards of Merit competition each year to recognize outstanding public service projects conducted by local and specialty bars throughout the commonwealth.
The awards given are divided into two categories:
• An Award of Merit, the highest award given to a project, and
• A Certificate of Achievement, […]
Troutman Sanders to merge with law firm in District
By Alan Cooper
June 30, 2008
Troutman Sanders LLP will merge with a Washington-based firm on Jan. 1 in a transaction that will expand the critical mass in the Atlanta firm’s D.C. office and provide a presence in the Midwest and on the West Coast.
Troutman Chairman Robert W. Webb Jr. said the merger with Ross, Dixon & Bell LLP “is very […]
Richmond court awards 10K sanctions in contract case
By Alan Cooper
June 30, 2008
Attorneys for Cavalier Telephone LLC knew that a default judgment had been entered against the company in Fairfax Circuit Court in May 2007 on a claim based on a Jan. 17, 2005, contract with Step 9 Software Corp.
Nevertheless, they revived in July 2007 a lawsuit based on the same contract that the company had filed […]
Obituaries
By Virginia Lawyers Weekly
June 30, 2008
Louise A. Halper
Louise A. Halper, professor of law and director of the Frances Lewis Law Center at Washington and Lee University, died June 21 in New Jersey from complications following surgery. She was 63.
Professor Halper joined the W&L law faculty in 1991 after practicing public interest law for 15 years. Her areas of teaching included […]
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