The Supreme Court of Virginia issues one opinion today in which it clarifies that Rule 3:25(b), which requires that a party seeking attorney fees must “demand them” in the appropriate pleading and “identify the basis upon which the party relies,” is a pleading requirement, not a notice requirement. More
Author Archives: Juli Porto
Leiser v. Virginia State Bar ex rel. Fifth District, Section I Committee, Record No. 251120 (Va. July 23, 2026)
In its sole opinion this Thursday, the Supreme Court of Virginia affirmed a three-judge circuit court’s judgment suspending attorney Phillip Ben-Zion Leiser’s law license for three years based on violations of RPC 8.2 and 8.4(b), rejecting his First Amendment and due process challenges to the discipline. More
Horn v. Webb, Record No. 250511 (Va. July 16, 2026) (unpub. order)
Last Thursday, the Supreme Court of Virginia issued the sequel to Horn v. Webb, 302 Va. 70 (2023) (Horn I). Though unpublished, it provides practical guidance on remand proceedings. More
City of Hopewell v. Shree Arihant Motel, Inc., Record No. 251193 (Va. July 16, 2026)
The Supreme Court of Virginia releases one opinion today in which it holds that the City of Hopewell is entitled to sovereign immunity from most claims arising out of its controlled burn of a vacant shopping center. More
Commonwealth v. Mahoney, Record No. 250487 (Va. June 11, 2026)
In today’s one published opinion, the Supreme Court of Virginia reverses a Court of Appeals decision that had vacated convictions for second-degree murder, maliciously shooting at an occupied vehicle, and use of a firearm in the commission of murder. More
Wessel v. Virginia State Bar, Record No. 251004 (Va. June 4, 2026)
The Supreme Court of Virginia releases three opinions today. In this one, it unanimously affirms a 13-month suspension of Douglas Wessel’s law license, finding that he violated multiple Rules of Professional Conduct in his handling of a personal injury case. More
Shalom Presbyterian Church of Washington, Inc. v. Atlantic Korean American Presbytery, Record No. 250303 (Va. June 4, 2026)
In one of three opinions released today, the Supreme Court of Virginia tackles the intersection of church property disputes and the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, ultimately finding that both circuit court and the Court of Appeals of Virginia missed the mark.More
Antle v. Commonwealth / Commonwealth v. Antle, Record Nos. 250174 & 250190 (Va. June 4, 2026)
In one of three opinions released today, the Supreme Court of Virginia reverses all of a defendant’s convictions, holding that Virginia’s endangered species statute prohibits selling protected wildlife but, as currently written, says nothing about buying it. More
EQT Production Co. v. County of Wise, Record No. 250430 (Va. May 21, 2026)
In today’s opinion, the Supreme Court of Virginia reversed the Court of Appeals and held that Wise County was required to assess the fair market value of natural gas reserves—not just well infrastructure—when calculating property taxes on mineral lands under Code § 58.1-3286. More
Scott v. McDougle, Record No. 260127 (Va. May 8, 2026)
In a rare Friday opinion and by a split decision, the Supreme Court of Virginia overturns the vote allowing the General Assembly to redraw Virginia congressional maps. More
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