Virginia

Lawyer can’t sue over poor Avvo rating and allegedly incorrect bar status, federal judge rules

Updated: A federal judge in Seattle has tossed a lawyer’s $1.5 million defamation lawsuit against Avvo for allegedly posting false information that made him look “terrible.”

Aug 28, 2020 2:17 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: 4th Circuit rules for transgender youth; tribe objects to execution

4th Circuit rules for transgender youth on bathroom policy The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Richmond, Virginia, has ruled for former high school student Gavin Grimm, a transgender youth who wanted to use a school restroom that matched his gender identity. The 4th Circuit said the Gloucester County,…

Aug 27, 2020 4:30 PM CDT

4th Circuit strikes down part of federal anti-rioting law but upholds its use in Charlottesville case

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Richmond, Virginia, has struck down parts of a federal anti-rioting law while allowing the use of the remainder of the law against two protesters who committed violent acts at a 2017 rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Aug 25, 2020 10:49 AM CDT

Emotional support dog didn’t have priority over tenant with allergies, state supreme court says

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a no-pets building in Iowa City, Iowa, should not have allowed a new tenant to have an emotional support dog after an objection by another tenant with severe allergies.

Jul 2, 2020 11:03 AM CDT

Twitter dismissed from Rep. Devin Nunes’ defamation suit over parody accounts

A Virginia judge has dismissed Twitter from a $250 million defamation suit filed by Republican California congressman Devin Nunes that targeted parody accounts claiming to be written by Nunes’ mother and a cow.

Jun 25, 2020 12:43 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Prosecutor says Trump ally got break; lawyers’ extortion plea

Prosecutor to testify that Trump ally was treated better A prosecutor who resigned in the Roger Stone case plans to tell Congress on Wednesday that his supervisors told him that Stone was given favorable treatment because he was an ally of President Donald Trump. The prosecutor, Aaron Zelinsky, says he…

Jun 23, 2020 4:44 PM CDT

4th Circuit revives suit against police in shooting death and says, ‘This has to stop’

A federal appeals court has revived a lawsuit against police officers in the shooting death of a homeless black man who was stopped for failing to walk on the sidewalk.

Jun 10, 2020 12:00 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Bar exam pass rate hits new low in California; Ben & Jerry’s ‘happy cows’ suit tossed

California’s February bar exam pass rate drops to less than 27% The pass rate for California’s February 2020 bar exam was 26.8%, which, according to the Recorder, is a record low. The state’s February 2020 exam was taken by 4,205 people, according to information that the State Bar of California…

May 11, 2020 4:19 PM CDT

How to practice law remotely and efficiently during the COVID-19 crisis

As people across the country are coping with countless changes in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the ABA Journal’s Asked and Answered podcast is taking a break from its regularly scheduled programing to share information with lawyers about how they can adjust to the world’s current situation—such as having to work from home, whether they want to or not.

Mar 30, 2020 9:27 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Top Florida court hears case over ticket app; lawyer sentenced for involvement in prostitution

Florida Supreme Court to decide whether ticket app poses legal risk to customers After a yearslong dispute, the Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in the Florida Bar’s lawsuit against ticket-fighting startup TIKD. Attorneys complained to the Florida Bar that TIKD and its founder Christopher Riley were practicing law…

Mar 4, 2020 4:10 PM CST

Virginia is poised to broaden parole in move watched by other states

Virginia lawmakers have passed a bill that would allow parole for hundreds of inmates, the first in a series of parole-expansion bills expected to win approval since the state largely banned parole.

Feb 14, 2020 3:08 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Donor says law school not honoring wishes; Justice Thomas says judges aren’t ‘mass media icons’

Attorney disputes his University of Michigan Law School gift Lance J. Johnson, a Minnesota lawyer who had donated $150,000 to the University of Michigan Law School and had planned to leave it $2 million more in his estate, now claims that the school is not honoring his wishes. Johnson, who…

Feb 12, 2020 3:17 PM CST

Defendant challenges ‘classic dragnet search’ for Google cellphone data within robbery radius

A bank robbery defendant who was arrested based on Google location data is seeking to suppress the evidence under a challenge to the broad warrant that authorized the disclosure.

Jan 24, 2020 10:23 AM CST

What does Equal Rights Amendment ratification in Virginia mean for its chances?

The Equal Rights Amendment has been battling the numbers since 1979, at which time it fell three states short of becoming part of the Constitution. As of 2020, however, just one state was needed to meet a state count threshold to pass the ERA—that’s until Virginia made history on Wednesday, ratifying the amendment.

Jan 16, 2020 4:19 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Michael Avenatti is accused of bail violations; Virginia is 38th state to ratify ERA

Michael Avenatti is arrested for alleged bail violations The lawyer who once represented adult film actress Stormy Daniels has been arrested for alleged bail violations. The federal government contends that, while out on bail, Michael Avenatti tried to hide money from creditors, including a former law partner. Avenatti has been…

Jan 15, 2020 3:43 PM CST