There are several interesting Virginia House and Senate Bills currently before the legislature. Here is a list of some of the more notable Bills:
HB104: If a Defendant fails to file an Answer after service, no additional notice is required.
HB126: Allows evidence of no-fault divorce by affidavit if there is a written settlement agreement between the parties.
HB 283: Allows courts to order maintenance of life insurance policies (and allocate costs) pendente lite.
HB 549: Provides for DSS to publish names of all persons with child support arrearages.
HB1283: Limits the definition of “persons with legitimate interest” in custody cases to grandparents, stepparents, former stepparents, blood relatives or family members.
Click here for a complete list of 2012 House and Senate Bills. Stay tuned to see if any them become laws.
Phase 2 of our construction is now complete. Check out Facebook to view start to finish photos. Phase 3 is underway and is set for completion in early March. We will post photos of Phase 3 on Facebook too. We are nearing the end of construction and are very excited to see the final finished product.
FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY
Cooper Ginsberg Gray, PLLC, a growing Fairfax law firm with a primary focus on domestic relations law is recruiting for a qualified entry level associate attorney. Knowledge of local court practices and procedures is preferred, but not essential. Experience in divorce and family law also preferred. Strong oral and written communication skills required. Ideal candidate is very organized, self-motivated and works well in a team environment. We offer a competitive salary and benefits, a convenient location, and a great working environment. Qualified candidates should send resume and salary requirements by e-mail to info@cgglawyers.com. No calls please.
FAMILY LAW PARALEGAL
Cooper Ginsberg Gray, PLLC, a growing Fairfax law firm with a primary focus on domestic relations law is recruiting for a qualified paralegal. An ideal candidate should possess a paralegal certificate or degree, excellent organizational skills, and attention to detail. Job duties include, without limitation, drafting of pleadings, assisting attorneys with discovery process and trial support. Experience working with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel required. Prior experience in domestic relations law a plus, but not required. Qualified candidates should send resume and salary requirements by e-mail to info@cgglawyers.com. No calls please.
In 2012, Cooper Ginsberg Gray will be very active with Continuing Legal Education seminars (CLEs).
On January 19, 2012, Rob Worster had the opportunity to return to his alma mater for an excellent CLE put on by the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association—Due Diligence in Discovering Assets & Income. This CLE was held in the beautiful Moot Court Room of the University of Richmond’s T.C. William School of Law.
Not only was it a great chance to meet fellow members of the VTLA’s Family Law Section, it was also rich in content on subjects such the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act, Future Trends and Obstacles in Electronic Discovery, Ethical Issues of Discovery and Disclosure and the Classification of Deferred Compensation Assets.
On January 25, 2012, Dan Gray participated as a panelist at the Fairfax Bar Association’s CLE on Family Law in an economic downturn. Other panelists included the Honorable Brett A. Kassabian and the Honorable Jane Marum Roush of the Fairfax County Circuit Court. Stephanie Smith also attended this CLE which provided views from both the bench and the bar.
On March 26, 2012, Dan Gray will present a seminar (with Robin Clark of Clark & Glass, and Anne Marie Jackson of Ain & Bank) for the DC Bar Association on negotiation and drafting of premarital agreements. Dan is also giving the ethics seminar at the VTLA’s 28th annual advanced Family Law seminar in Richmond on April 26.
Phase 1 of our construction is complete. Phase 2 is under way and is set for completion in early February. Phase 3 will begin in mid February. Check out Facebook for photos!
Phase 1 is complete (well, almost complete) and we are moving into our new space on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. We are very excited to have our new offices, reception area, kitchen, and conference rooms. Check back here next week for some photos of the finished product.
Check out our facebook page for new photos of the construction project. Phase one is moving along well, and the new space is looking more and more like an office each day!
As the pro bono coordinator for the Paralegal Association of Northern Virginia (PANV), our own Joanne Randa coordinated participation in the annual Adopt-a-Marine program this year. This is the fourth year that PANV has participated in this worthwhile program.
In the fall, PANV adopts a family, with an active duty U.S. Marine member, for the holidays. Eligible families are those needing financial assistance for the holiday season. Marine Family Services screens the applicant families for resources and need, and then assigns families to program participants. Applying families indicate what items they need and want for the holidays, and Marine Family Services provides this information to participants. Participants then shop for requested gifts, wrap the gifts, and deliver them to Marine Family Services in December.
This year, PANV adopted a family of four: a husband, wife, and their five year old daughter and 21 month old son. The family’s requests included kitchen items, clothing, and toys. The little girl wanted anything “princess” and the little boy wanted anything to do with “cars.”
Joanne and Kathi Ingram (PANV president) did the shopping. They purchased Princess Barbie dolls and an educational toy (My First Leap Top) for the little girl, and Little People cars, dump truck and Clifford for the little boy. In addition to the all-important toys, PANV purchased clothing, a blender, a set of pots and pans, and a gift card for the family. PANV raised the money through generous donations from its members and the legal community.
We cannot say enough about all the great pro-bono work Joanne does. Great job Joanne! Your efforts will certainly brighten the holidays for a very deserving family. Check out the photos below!
We are at the end of week two of construction. We have to deal with some noise, dust, and cramped space, but it will be worth it in the end. View our Facebook page for photos of the first two weeks of the construction process.
On Saturday, December 10, 2011, Rob and his family again participated in the Worcester Wreath Co.’s Wreaths Across America.
The wreath-laying event started approximately twenty years ago when Morrill Worcester donated and laid 5,000 excess Christmas wreaths on headstones in Arlington National Cemetery. This year 100,000 wreaths were placed on the gravesites of our nation’s service members and their families.
A highlight this year was the participation of an 87 year old Tuskegee Airman in the wreath-laying.
Rob noted that it is a distinct privilege to live so close to this hallowed ground and an honor to be able to show respect for our nation’s heroes with his family.
If you are interested in participating, Wreaths Across America is held annually and anyone can lay a wreath just by showing up.
