Beyond the Verdict: A Virginia Appeals Blog
An Appellate Christmas Carol
An Appellate Christmas Carol Ghosts of Procedural Defaults Past, Present, and Future  “Every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be
What Not To Do at Oral Argument
What Not To Do At Oral Argument I was listening to Fourth Circuit arguments recently. Two experienced appellate lawyers were arguing. Both were smart lawyers,
What to Write When You Don’t Feel Like Writing
What To Write When You Don’t Feel Like Writing It’s (kinda) fall and I’m ready for it. I love summer but the heat and camp
Mandate Mayhem
Mandate Mayhem The Supreme Court recently dropped an unpublished order that we should pay attention to. Real estate gurus, remember Horn v. Webb? These folks
Goldilocks and the (no more than) 3 Assignments of Error
Goldilocks and the (no more than) 3 Assignments of Error Let’s talk about something difficult to get *just* right: assignments of error. Why do we
Lion Cubs and Legal Loopholes
Lion Cubs and Legal Loopholes It isn’t often that criminal defense attorneys get to celebrate a unanimous victory in the Supreme Court of Virginia, but
Guest Post: “On Micromorts and Appellate Law”
Guest Post by Oliver Ward: “On Micromorts and Appellate Law” Allow me to introduce Oliver Ward. Oliver is one of the appellate lawyers at our
Virginia Loves Procedure: A Redistricting Post
Virginia Loves Procedure: A Redistricting Post Let’s give the people what they want: redistricting. JK…the Supreme Court said no. But I’ll at least give you
Which Balls Are We Okay With Dropping?
Which Balls Are We Okay With Dropping? It’s been too long since my last blog post. I have a tremendous guilt complex, which makes this