Weekly Edition
Character Evidence
By Peter Vieth
August 25, 2008
Martin F. Clark Jr. – the Patrick County Circuit judge steadily earning fame as a novelist – liberally salted his latest work with recognizable references to people and events around his home town of Stuart. As word spreads about “The Legal Limit,” his third novel, Clark frequently finds himself explaining the links […]
Gov. Kaine taps Millette and Powell
By Alan Cooper
August 25, 2008
LeRoy F. Millette Jr., Cleo E. Powell and James C. Dimitri now have three of the most prestigious and powerful judicial posts in the state.
The question is whether they’ll have them on Feb. 16.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine elevated Millette from the Virginia Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court of Virginia after Millette had served […]
High court endorses ‘Principles of Professionalism’
By Alan Cooper
August 25, 2008
The Supreme Court of Virginia has endorsed Principles of Professionalism that their proponents believe “express the ideals of courtesy to which Virginia lawyers should aspire.”
The project was championed by former Virginia Bar Association President William R. Van Buren of Norfolk, who appointed a commission to draft them.
Thomas E. Spahn, a legal ethics authority in the […]
Dueling bias claims
By Deborah Elkins
August 25, 2008
When an insulation plant squared off against its insurance carrier on a claim for business interruption loss after a fire, an Alexandria U.S. District Court let each side keep its “disinterested” loss appraiser.
Litigation often gets down to a battle of the experts, with each side seeing bias in the other side’s expert, especially if the […]
Judge gives plaintiff ERISA win with new high court case
By Peter Vieth
August 25, 2008
An ERISA disability claimant scored a rare win this month as a federal judge in Abingdon interpreted a new decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.
The case is Winebarger v. Liberty Life Assurance Co. (VLW 008-3-318). It was decided by Chief U.S. District Judge James P. Jones.
Plaintiff Garnice Winebarger was a coal miner injured on […]
Smokes-smugglers ring snuffed out in Alexandria
By News in Brief
August 25, 2008
ALEXANDRIA — Authorities say they’ve broken up a major cigarette-smuggling ring in Northern Virginia.
According to documents filed in federal court, conspirators in New York paid smugglers in Fairfax County more than $4 million for about 200,000 cartons of cigarettes over two years.
Officials say many of the deals were done at an Annandale restaurant. […]
Kaine backs preservation plan for Fort Monroe
By News in Brief
August 25, 2008
Governor Tim Kaine is endorsing a plan for the future of Fort Monroe, saying it ensures the preservation of the historic Hampton property for generations to come.
The governor on Tuesday backed a plan developed by the Fort Monroe Federal Area Development Authority, which is assessing the base’s future once the military departs in 2011. […]
Liberty U. fined for wetland, stream damage
By News in Brief
August 25, 2008
LYNCHBURG—Liberty University has agreed to pay $9,270 in fines for minor wetland and stream damage resulting from a dorm project.
Department of Environmental Quality enforcement officer Marvin Booth says the damage involved a small amount of forest wetlands and 65 feet of a small stream.
Booth says the DEQ also ordered Liberty to create a […]
VDOT launches new traffic info Web site
By News in Brief
August 25, 2008
The Virginia Department of Transportation is launching an improved 511 traffic information Web site.
Officials say the new site allows travelers to personalize information about construction, accidents and driving directions.
Travelers can also receive free mobile alerts.
The free 511 system provides users with incident and construction information. That information is gathered from VDOT crews, safety […]
UVa: No signs at ball games will be tolerated
By News in Brief
August 25, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE—The University of Virginia is enacting a new policy that bans all signs at its athletic events.
The Charlottesville school notified students of the policy last week.
Athletics department officials say the change is intended to support and promote sportsmanship in a positive game-day environment. It applies to football and basketball games, as well as all […]
NEWS FROM VIRGINIA LAWYERS WEEKLY
- Blindsided: P.I. lawyers caught unaware of new Medicare rules, ‘set aside’ practices could be on the way
- Lawyer is sanctioned for ignoring res judicata
- FDIC will back full amount of IOLTA accounts
- Litigation over who missed deadline expands to four suits
- Downtown diners and courthouse cafes
- Lawyers in the News
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