For the past three years, Dan has taught countless Virginia attorneys and paralegals how to use VADER and presented various updates to the VADER software. He is fast becoming the “go-to” source for all things VADER.  To find out more about this program, click here.Great work Dan!!

The President of the Virginia State Bar, George Shanks, attended and read the Law Day Proclamation. Also in attendance were the Fairfax County Circuit Court Clerk and Attorney General Candidate John Frey and president-elect of the Fairfax Bar Association, Jay Myerson.

The colors were presented by the faithful supporters with The American Legion Fairfax Post 177 and the National Anthem was performed by the White Oaks Elementary School. The offerings included brats, root beer, delightful cookies, cotton candy and popcorn. The live music and entertainment was outstanding, as always, and was provided by George Mason University’s Jazz Ensemble, The Law Day Four barbershop quartet, Boyle School of Irish Dance and the Third Herd Boys.

 In discussing the legislative and case updates, both Edward Barnes and Larry Diehl discussed the recent ruling that permits a parent to use a Qualified Domestic Relations Order to collect child support arrears. Other notable developments include the requirement to include a revocation of death benefits notice in all Final Decrees of Divorce beginning July 1, 2012 and the ability to use of Affidavits in no-fault divorces.

 The CLE concluded with Dan’s creative and entertaining discussion of ethics issues, including the potential ethical traps associated with interviewing child witnesses and the spoliation of evidence. Dan’s presentation prompted a lively discussion among participants regarding whether it is necessary to obtain permission from the GAL representing the child prior to conducting a meeting with the child and the best ways to communicate with an unrepresented party about a Waiver form in no fault divorces.

Check back here for a summary of the CLE.  Good luck Dan!!

Hollywood celebrities and the tabloids combine to ensure that divorce is always a hot topic on the newsstand and on the Web. But outside of the more sensational coverage, there are many articles dealing with issues that the average person encounters when divorcing. Here are two such articles on interesting areas of family law. 

Divorcing When Drowning in Debt: 

http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=43d73d8e-f23f-4cb1-9b03-e88de0d24e02&utm_source=JFB&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=familylaw 

CIA Divorces: When Spies Split: 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/cia-divorces-the-secrecy-when-spies-split/2012/03/05/gIQAPpBZAS_story.html

The Project started as a Valentine’s basket, but it grew into a Project that was primarily educational with the young people receiving two or three new books as well as an assortment of hygiene products.  The Project has included the Fairfax County Boys’ Probation Home for the past four years.    

Each year, the Project begins with a call for donations (money and books) in late December or early January.  This year, Tina Fewell (Shoun Bach Walinsky and Curran, P.C.), Courtnie Norris (Fairfax Bar Association), and our very own Joanne Randa co-chaired the Project.  Once they collected the donations, they shopped for the books that the girls and boys requested, as well as all the hygiene products. 

This year, there were 12 girls and 22 boys in attendance. Each girl received four new books and each boy received three new books.  They all received a reusable Trader Joe’s bag filled with hygiene products and various sundries.  The Paralegal Section delivered the items right before Valentine’s Day to ensure that everyone got a surprise for February 14. 

We want to thank Joanne (and Christina) and her co-chairs for all their hard work and dedication to this wonderful project. Check out our Facebook page for more photos!

Attorneys Stephanie Smith and Rob Worster joined forces with Chelsy Weber, an exceptionally talented staff attorney with Hogar Immigrant Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington, back in July of 2011.

Our combined goal was to stop deportation proceedings for a juvenile victim of domestic sexual abuse.

After eight months of preparation, research, briefing, and a necessary appeal, this labor of love resulted in the entry of a Court Order that will jump start the path to citizenship for this delightful foreign national.

We are honored to serve the community and thrilled with the success of our client.

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.