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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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Opinions & Observations

In Newport News School Board v. Z.M. the Supreme Court of Virginia Leaves No Doubt that Sovereign Immunity is “Alive and Well” for School Boards Across the Commonwealth of Virginia

May 14, 2025

by Anne C. Lahren

In the 1960 case of Kellam v. School Board of the City of Norfolk, the Supreme Court of Virginia affirmatively held that school boards are protected from suit for tortious claims by the doctrine of sovereign immunity. Kellam, 202 Va. 252 (1960). Over the ensuing sixty-five years, this doctrine has been challenged repeatedly by those seeking to sue the sovereign and recover money damages for allegedly tortious acts and omissions. Such challenges attempt to...

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Virginia's AI Bill Veto: What Does This Mean for Virginia Businesses?

April 22, 2025

by Jeffrey D. Wilson

In a decision that has sparked widespread discussion, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin recently vetoed HB 2094, a bill aimed at regulating artificial intelligence (AI) and addressing concerns about algorithmic discrimination. For business leaders in Virginia—and across the country—this decision raises important questions about the future of AI regulation and its implications for businesses operating in an increasingly tech-driven world.So, what exactly...

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