Blog: Opinions & Observations
New Laws in Virginia Effective July 1, 2025
June 25, 2025
Here is my annual summary of bills that will become law in Virginia on July 1st and a brief explanation of how they came about. The legislature sent 916 bills to Governor Youngkin. Initially, he signed 599 bills, amended 159 bills, and vetoed 157 bills. The budget (HB1600) was returned with 205 amendments and eight items vetoed. When the General Assembly reconvened, the House voted to lump most of the Governor’s 95 vetoes into a single block. Of those, 82...
Read MoreSummer Employment Issues: 10 Legal Traps (and How to Avoid Them)
May 20, 2025
As the weather warms up, employers face unique legal challenges tied to the summer season. Whether it’s hiring interns, teenage workers, or hosting company outings, summer introduces a range of compliance issues that can create legal exposure if mishandled.This guide highlights 10 key summer employment issues with practical tips for staying compliant, particularly under Virginia and federal law.1. Summer Internships: Wage and Hour ComplianceSummer is...
Read MoreMay 14, 2025
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...
Read MoreVirginia's AI Bill Veto: What Does This Mean for Virginia Businesses?
April 22, 2025
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...
Read MoreIs Your DEI Strategy 2025 Compliant? What HR Professionals Need to Know Right Now
April 16, 2025
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,...
Read MoreChanging Child Support in Virginia Requires a Court Order
April 11, 2025
“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...
Read MoreNavigating an EEOC Charge: A Practical Guide for Businesses
April 08, 2025
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...
Read MoreMarch 25, 2025
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...
Read MoreVa. Code § 8.01-626: Appealing Adverse Immunity Rulings on an Expedited Basis
March 03, 2025
Virginia Code § 8.01-626 provides a mechanism for bypassing the typically lengthy appeals process for certain types of cases and decisions. Titled “Review of injunction; petitions for review,” this section of the Virginia Code not only applies to injunctions but also applies to orders “granting or denying a plea of sovereign, absolute, or qualified immunity that, if granted, would immunize the movant” from continued participation in the lawsuit. Va. Code...
Read MoreWho Owns that Unused Street? A Roadmap to Virginia’s Layered Legal Approach
February 24, 2025
Most people do not think twice about the quiet, unused, streets that hide within our neighborhoods, cities, and towns. These streets are easy to overlook, until a disrupting event—such as new property development, utility work, or a dispute between landowners—raises the question: who actually owns these forgotten streets? The ownership of unused streets can be a complex issue, that can generate legal disputes over who has the right to access, use, or...
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