Weekly Edition
At long last an evidence code?
By Peter Vieth
November 3, 2008
STAUNTON—Signals from the Supreme Court of Virginia indicate that a two-decade effort to establish official rules of evidence for Virginia courts may be nearing fruition, according to a lawyer who has advanced the cause since the mid-1980s.
John M. Oakey Jr. of Richmond is encouraged by signs that Chief Justice Leroy Rountree Hassell Sr. is laying […]
NoVa condo buyers get out of their contracts
By Alan Cooper
November 3, 2008
The developers of condominiums in the Merrifield Town Center in Northern Virginia prevailed before one federal judge in their efforts to keep deposits to buy the units after the purchasers refused to close on them.
But they lost last week before another federal judge who found that they had violated the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure […]
Business fraud is an issue in dentist’s divorce
By Alan Cooper
November 3, 2008
The relationship of Marlin and Sheila Rekow began as a marriage of economic convenience but soon became romantic as well, and the couple married in December 1995.
Before the start of the relationship, Sheila Rekow, who had been licensed as a dental hygienist, ran Manassas Dental Centre, from which she managed as many as five dental […]
To manage risks of employee blogging, set a clear policy
By Chris Gatewood
November 3, 2008
Blogging in its current form has been around since at least the late 1990s, including millions of blogs written by millions of people in their spare time. Even personal blogs often include information about the writers’ work. Their employers, however, very rarely have the opportunity to monitor or approve anything that is posted on the […]
Obituaries
By Virginia Lawyers Weekly
November 3, 2008
Andrew Jackson “Jack” Ellis Jr.
Andrew Jackson “Jack” Ellis Jr., a retired partner of the Richmond firm of Mays & Valentine who held several positions in Hanover County, died Oct. 11 at Broomfield, his farm in Beaverdam. He was 78.
Mr. Ellis had served as a substitute general district and juvenile and domestic relations district judge in […]
Lawyers in the News
By Sarah Rodriguez
November 3, 2008
Janie L. Rhodes has joined the Alexandria office of MercerTrigiani, where she will focus her practice on representing common interest communities and real estate developers in transactions and developments. Rhodes was previously an associate with Reed Smith LLP. She earned her undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1998 and her law degree from George […]
Man indicted for selling bear to undercover agent
By News in Brief
November 3, 2008
STAUNTON—A grand jury has indicted a Churchville man on a charge of selling a mounted black bear to an undercover agent.
According to an indictment returned last week by an Augusta County grand jury, Jonathan T. Goble accepted a $200 deposit from the undercover officer on Aug. 28. The agent said Goble completed the sale […]
UVa researchers to review effect of domestic violence on kids
By News in Brief
November 3, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE—Three University of Virginia researchers will look at the often-overlooked victims of deadly domestic violence: the children.
The researchers have received a $275,000 grant from the National Institute for Mental Health to examine resources for children who are often alone when one parent kills another.
The study will look for 100 adults nationwide who have […]
McDonnell: Count federal absentee ballots
By News in Brief
November 3, 2008
Virginia’s attorney general told state election officials last week that they must count perhaps hundreds of federal absentee ballots despite a state law ordering some of them to be cast aside.
A dispute arose last week after Fairfax County’s registrar said state law bars him from counting dozens of federal absentee ballots because the witnesses failed […]
NAACP files suit against Kaine over election preparation
By News in Brief
November 3, 2008
The Virginia NAACP sued Gov. Tim Kaine last week, arguing that the state has failed to prepare for an unprecedented voter turnout in next week’s presidential election.
The complaint, filed late Monday in U.S. District Court in Richmond, alleges that with record increases in voter registration, the state has failed to provide enough polling places.
It asks […]
IMPORTANT OPINIONS
- Traffic Offenses - Bifurcated Trial ‘Notice’ DNA in Traffic Court
- Tort - Telecom Company Can Sue for Business Conspiracy
- Tort - Government Not Liable for Stability Test
- Search & Seizure - Vague Affidavit Cannot Support Warrant
- Search & Seizure - Invalid Warrant - Affidavit Specificity
- Negligence - FELA - Wrongful Death - Release