The Library

Article by Matt W. Broughton and Paralegal Cynthia O. Cundiff In personal injury litigation, credibility is not an abstract ideal—it is a measurable asset that affects settlement value, litigation posture, and trial outcomes. Cases rarely fail because an injury did not occur; they fail because a jury, judge, adjuster, or defense counsel does not believe the story being told. For that reason, one of the most important skills a plaintiff‑side attorney or paralegal can develop is the ability to “own the truth” of a case. Owning the truth does not mean minimizing damages or weakening advocacy. It means building a […]

Imagine you are driving down I-81 when a tractor-trailer negligently crashes into you, causing severe injuries. You later learn that the trucking company’s insurer is denying coverage—claiming that neither the driver nor the vehicle involved in the crash falls within the scope of the policy. If the driver and the trucking company lack sufficient assets to satisfy a judgment, are you out of luck? Not necessarily. In certain cases, an MCS-90 endorsement can provide a path to recovery, even when traditional insurance coverage appears unavailable. This article explains what an MCS-90 endorsement is, why federal law requires it, and how […]

Article co-written by Andrew Gay and Summer Associate Randall Shirey A practical overview of amendments affecting residential landlords, property managers, and manufactured home park owners. The 2026 Virginia General Assembly Session produced some of the most substantial landlord-tenant law changes in recent years. Many amendments took effect on July 1, 2026, while others do not go into effect until January 1, 2027, or even July 1, 2027, making advance preparation important for compliance. The 2026 Virginia General Assembly Session produced a broad set of amendments affecting both traditional residential landlords governed by the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (“VRLTA”) […]

Effective July 1, 2026, Virginia landlords subject to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) must provide residential tenants with 14 days’ written notice, rather than the previous 5-day notice, before terminating a rental agreement for nonpayment of rent. The change was enacted through 2026 General Assembly amendments to Virginia Code § 55.1-1245(F). Under the prior version of the statute, if a tenant failed to pay rent when due, a landlord could serve a written pay-or-quit notice giving the tenant 5 days to pay the outstanding rent. If the tenant failed to cure the default within that period, the […]

Virginia employers need to know about a significant change in hiring and recruiting practices as the Commonwealth’s new Pay Transparency Law (SB 215) takes effect on July 1, 2026. The law, codified as Virginia Code § 40.1-28.7:12, creates new requirements related to applicant pay history and compensation disclosures. Below is a link to the new law. View the new law here. Key Requirements for Virginia Employers Pay History Inquiries Are Prohibited Employers shall not seek the wage or salary history of a prospective employee or applicant. If you have language on your application seeking an applicant’s prior pay history, it […]

Allegheny Construction Company, Inc. v. Town of Christiansburg, Virginia, et al., 86 Va. App. 321 (2025). McCormick Taylor, Inc. v. Allegheny Construction Company, Inc., 86 Va. App. 321 (2025). Kleinfelder, Inc., f/k/a Century Eng’g, Inc., d/b/a NXL Constr. v. Allegheny Constr. Co. Inc., 86 Va. App. 321 (2025). A recent decision from the Court of Appeals of Virginia emphasizes legal principles that apply to owners, contractors, and the design and inspection teams who support public projects. It reiterates that project participants working for the same owner—including consultants and their employees—generally can’t be sued for tort claims based on their work […]

Being injured by a hit‑and‑run driver often leaves victims believing they have no legal options because the at‑fault driver cannot be identified. Despite serious criminal penalties for fleeing the scene, hit‑and‑run crashes remain common in Virginia and across the country. Recognizing this, Virginia allows injured people to pursue compensation through uninsured motorist coverage, even when the responsible driver is never found. Driver’s Duty to Stop at an Accident Scene Virginia law is explicit about a driver’s legal responsibilities following a crash. Under Va. Code § 46.2‑894, a driver involved in an accident that causes injury, death, or damage to attended […]

Throughout the first quarter of 2026, Gentry Locke’s Intellectual Property group has witnessed a rise in trademark-related scams and fraudulent solicitations. These notices often reference your trademark directly and will pose as an attorney, billing service, or even a government agency to appear legitimate and pressure recipients to make unnecessary payments or disclose sensitive information. Exercise caution when reviewing any trademark-related correspondence. Below, we have provided information and resources designed to help you identify trademark scams and avoid making payments or providing information to bad actors. How USPTO Correspondence Works When You Are Represented by Counsel USPTO communications go to […]

If you are under investigation, facing a lawsuit, or thinking about hiring a lawyer, you have probably wondered whether you can use ChatGPT, Claude, or another AI chatbot to help you think through your case. A federal judge has now weighed in on that question, and the answer is one that anyone using AI to work through a legal problem should understand. In short: at least one federal court has held that conversations with a public AI chatbot may not be private or privileged, and may be discoverable in litigation. The law in this area is still developing, and other […]