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Pender & Coward attorneys are committed to your success and peace of mind. Our motto is simple, yet effective: “Service. Integrity. Results.” Our adherence to that motto transcends the legal services we provide, whether in complicated business law, complex litigation, family law or estate planning. Our attorneys are dedicated to each client’s best interests, and strive to provide first rate legal services at a very fair value. With offices in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Suffolk, our team of experienced attorneys can provide all your legal needs.

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From the Blog

Opinions & Observations

Is Your DEI Strategy 2025 Compliant? What HR Professionals Need to Know Right Now

April 16, 2025

by Jeffrey D. Wilson

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the recent whirlwind of changes around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), you’re not alone. With the Trump administration’s executive order rolling back federal DEI initiatives and a surge of legal scrutiny hitting private-sector programs, HR leaders are navigating uncharted waters filled with compliance challenges.So, what’s changed—and more importantly, how should you respond?First, a Quick RecapIn January,...

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Changing Child Support in Virginia Requires a Court Order

April 11, 2025

by Marcus K. Mitchell

“What do you mean I’m on the hook for years of back child support? We agreed I wouldn’t need to pay any more! They can’t do this to me!”Yes, they can.No, the oral agreement doesn’t count.No, it is not fair, but it is the law.In Virginia, child support orders cannot change without a new court order, even if both parents agree. This article explains what child support orders are, why informal agreements don’t hold up, and how to properly modify a support...

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Navigating an EEOC Charge: A Practical Guide for Businesses

April 08, 2025

by Richard H. Matthews, Jeffrey D. Wilson

Let’s face it—receiving a notice from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) about a discrimination charge can feel like opening Pandora’s box. For many business owners, it’s not just unsettling; it’s downright stressful. But here’s the good news: with the right approach, you can navigate this process effectively and protect your business. Let us walk you through what happens during an EEOC investigation and how to respond in a way that...

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What Happens after My Appeal? A Guide for Next Steps after Your Case Is Decided by The Court of Appeals of Virginia

March 25, 2025

by Scott B. Ingram

In the years following the General Assembly’s expansion of the Court of Appeals of Virginia’s jurisdiction to cover all civil matters and the notable expansion of a right of appeal in all cases, many litigants face the daunting prospect of having their case heard before an appellate court. Having finished an arduous trial or painstaking motions practice before a circuit court, a litigant must put pen to paper yet again to write a brief that they will...

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Our blog "Opinions & Observations" provides important updates, insights and solutions to legal questions and concerns.