Virginia

SCOTUS lets stand victory by transgender man Gavin Grimm, former student who sued over bathroom policy

The U.S. Supreme Court has let stand a ruling that a Virginia school board violated the constitutional rights of Gavin Grimm, a transgender man and a former high school student, when it barred him from using the bathroom that matched his gender identity.

Jun 28, 2021 10:46 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Suit tossed over ‘stateless’ BigLaw partners; Lafayette Square claims dismissed

Perkins Coie wins suit dismissal because of ‘stateless’ partners The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago has ruled that former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page can’t sue Perkins Coie for defamation in federal court. Page had alleged that the law firm and the Democratic National Committee retained Fusion…

Jun 22, 2021 4:53 PM CDT

Lawyer is disbarred after missing multiple hearings; he blamed PTSD caused by his medical condition

A Virginia lawyer’s license to practice law has been revoked after former clients testified that he left them in the lurch while his license was suspended earlier this year.

Jun 1, 2021 9:05 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Former music executive sues Trump lawyer; attorney charged with sex trafficking minors

Former music executive sues Trump lawyer Marc Kasowitz Litigator Marc Kasowitz, known for his representation of former President Donald Trump, is facing a malpractice lawsuit by a former Universal Music Group top executive. Charlie Walk has claimed that he was pressured to sign a one-sided settlement agreement after facing a…

May 4, 2021 4:33 PM CDT

Virginia becomes the first Southern state to eliminate the death penalty

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill ending the death penalty Wednesday, making Virginia the 23rd state to eliminate capital punishment and the first Southern state to do so.

Mar 25, 2021 2:28 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: BigLaw firm offers gifts on top of bonuses; second state adopts consumer privacy law

Associates at this BigLaw firm get pricey gifts Associates at Davis Polk & Wardwell are getting a choice of gifts as a thanks for their hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gift choices include an outdoor adventure excursion for two, a $1,000 Marriott gift card along with a Tumi suitcase,…

Mar 4, 2021 4:30 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Ex-lawyer sentenced for show-pony secrecy; DOJ drops suit over Melania Trump book

Ex-lawyer sentenced for failure to disclose ponies A former Virginia lawyer has been sentenced to six months in prison for failing to disclose in a bankruptcy proceeding her family’s ownership of several show ponies. Laura Wright, 53, was a lawyer with prior bankruptcy experience at the time of the bankruptcy…

Feb 9, 2021 4:43 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Lawyers knock ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome;’ attorney flashes medical pot card

Trump lawyers seek dismissal of impeachment case Lawyers for former President Donald Trump on Monday asked the Senate to dismiss the impeachment case against him. Their brief argues that the Senate has no jurisdiction under the Constitution to conduct an impeachment trial of a former president, and Trump’s comments before…

Feb 8, 2021 4:33 PM CST

Police demand for ID required valid investigative stop, 4th Circuit rules in partial win for Black motorist

Police officers who arrested a Black man after he refused to identify himself violated his Fourth Amendment rights. But they have qualified immunity because they relied on a county ordinance that made it a crime to refuse to provide an ID to officers, a federal appeals court has ruled.

Feb 5, 2021 12:30 PM CST

Judge John Tran spearheaded adoption of tech to facilitate remote hearings and helped train lawyers

After the Virginia Supreme Court issued an order June 22 stating that remote proceedings should be used to conduct as much business as possible, Tran offered webinars to help lawyers with the Fairfax Bar Association get up to speed with Webex.

Feb 1, 2021 12:10 AM CST

Judge nixes courtroom portraits mostly portraying white judges before Black defendant’s trial

A judge in Fairfax, Virginia, has agreed to a Black defendant’s request to remove courtroom portraits that mostly portray white judges before his trial Jan. 4.

Dec 23, 2020 11:35 AM CST

Former general counsel of LeClairRyan agrees to disbarment

Bruce Matson, the former general counsel of the disbanded law firm LeClairRyan, has been disbarred in Virginia after he was accused of misappropriating money from a bankruptcy trust account.

Nov 19, 2020 3:18 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Secretaries get extra bonuses at this law firm; AG Barr warns of liberal DAs

Secretaries at this law firm get extra bonuses; associates left out Goodwin Procter will pay an extra $1,000 to all secretaries to recognize “hard work during these challenging times,” according to an internal email obtained by two legal publications. The law firm won’t be paying special bonuses to associates, however.…

Oct 19, 2020 1:34 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Property law scholar wins ‘genius grant;’ judge says inmates entitled to stimulus checks

Law prof who studied Black land ownership wins ‘genius grant’ Thomas Wilson Mitchell, a law professor at the Texas A&M University, is the only lawyer among 21 winners of the MacArthur Foundation fellowships, commonly known as “genius grants,” this year. Mitchell left a law firm job to study how property…

Oct 6, 2020 3:15 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Justice Ginsburg will lie in state; 2 lawyers are sentenced in extortion plot

Justice Ginsburg will be first woman to lie in state at Capitol The late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie in repose at the top of the Supreme Court’s steps Wednesday and Thursday, then will lie in state Friday at the U.S. Capitol Building. Ginsburg will be…

Sep 21, 2020 4:36 PM CDT