Juli Porto

Importance of Preserving Error

I recently sat down with Zane Myers to discuss the differences in trial work versus appellate work, as well as the importance of and procedure for preserving error at the trial level. Click the image to hear our conversation:More

Worth a Listen: Judge Ortiz on Just Virginia

No new opinions or orders come from the Supreme Court of Virginia this Thursday, but if you still want something to fill the gap, you can turn to the Virginia Law Foundation’s podcast Just Virginia. More

Pinnacle Flooring Solutions, LLC v. Premier Homes Group, LLC, Record No. 250618 (Va. July 30, 2026)

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

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 Though unpublished, it provides practical guidance on remand proceedings.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