Weekly Edition
Getting Along
By Sarah Rodriguez
October 27, 2008
Maybe you’ve seen this scenario at a law firm (maybe yours):
The new associate has joined the firm at full steam, acting as if she’s entitled to choose her own hours and take on the full responsibility of a case. Even in an entry-level position, she won’t hesitate to inflict her opinion on others and she […]
VSB sinks mandatory insurance
By Alan Cooper
October 27, 2008
STAUNTON—After wrestling with the issue of mandatory legal malpractice insurance for more than two years, the Virginia State Bar Council rejected the concept by a 60-11 vote.
The vote at the council meeting on Oct. 17 at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in Staunton was almost anticlimactic, with only three council members speaking against it after R. […]
Despite changes in law, loan ‘auditors’ flourish
By Peter Vieth
October 27, 2008
While new legislation passed in January has cut into the rate of mortgage foreclosure “rescue” scams in most of Virginia, a new variation of homeowner rip-off appears to be thriving in Northern Virginia.
A legal aid lawyer in Fairfax says her agency is considering legal action against loan “auditors” who charge huge fees to […]
Globe-trotting father can’t halt son’s move
By Deborah Elkins
October 27, 2008
A father whose work for a defense contractor takes him all over the world has lost his bid to keep his 5-year-old son in Roanoke.
Roanoke Circuit Judge Clifford R. Weckstein rejected the recommendation of the guardian ad litem and approved the mother’s plan to take the boy and join her fiancé in Cheyenne, Wyo.
Saying […]
VSB to seek info on lawyers’ health and substance issues
By Alan Cooper
October 27, 2008
Virginia State Bar President Manuel A. Capsalis will send an e-mail message within the next few days to all Virginia lawyers asking them to respond to a survey about mental health and substance abuse issues among attorneys.
The survey will be e-mailed to all VSB members within a few days of Capsalis’ message.
It will be used […]
Chief Justice will forgo raise, leaves question for others
By Alan Cooper
October 27, 2008
Virginia Chief Justice Leroy Rountree Hassell Sr. says he will forgo the 2 percent raise the General Assembly has approved for judges but will leave it to the conscience of his judicial colleagues as to whether they will do the same.
Hassell made the comment at a meeting of the Virginia Judicial Council, the judiciary’s top […]
Bloggers dodge lawsuit
By Peter Vieth
October 27, 2008
Two Christiansburg bloggers hit with a $10 million lawsuit by a local businessman may face another round in court after their initial victory this month.
Meanwhile, the increasing numbers of such lawsuits has led a national organization to launch a program that offers legal advice and a liability insurance program for amateur Web-writers like the Christiansburg […]
Supreme Court floats rule on attorneys’ fees, seeks input
By Virginia Lawyers Weekly
October 27, 2008
The Virginia Supreme Court’s advisory committee on rules of court is proposing a rule that would require attorneys to ask for attorneys’ fees in their initial pleadings or risk waiving the possibility of getting them.
The committee is asking that comments on the proposed Rule 3:25 be sent to by Nov. 24 to Steven Dalle Mura, […]
Vote absentee…if you have a good excuse
By The Associated Press
October 27, 2008
(AP) Ever considered voting absentee? State and local election officials in Virginia wish you would.
With an unprecedented tsunami of energized voters expected to flood the polls in an emotional, historic election, absentee voting could help you avoid the hassle and shorten long lines on election day.
Virginia doesn’t have early voting, as many states […]
Norfolk rail line to cost more, amount unknown
By News in Brief
October 27, 2008
NORFOLK—Norfolk’s starter light rail line will cost more to build than projected, but officials say they can’t yet pinpoint the increases.
The rail line will run from Eastern Virginia Medical Center to the Virginia Beach border. It was budgeted at $232.1 million and planned to open in early 2010.
But Virginia Department of Rail and […]
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
- Real Estate - Foreclosure - Power Of Attorney
- Contract - Accounting Firm Purchase - Due Diligence
- Criminal - Sentence Reduction - Cocaine Amendment - Plea Bargain
- Negligence - Auto Accident - Collateral Source Rule
- Domestic Relations - Child Support - DCSE Petition - Nonsuit
- Real Estate - Episcopal Church Property - Breakaway Congregations