News

Flora Pettit news and past speaking engagements are listed below.

Christopher R. Tate Authors an Article on the “Live Hearing” Requirements in the Department of Education’s Title IX Final Rule

Christopher R. Tate Authors an Article on the “Live Hearing” Requirements in the Department of Education’s Title IX Final Rule

Trial lawyers around the country are familiar with John Henry Wigmore’s maxim that cross-examination is “beyond any doubt the greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth.” The accuracy of Professor Wigmore’s assertion is itself a matter of debate. Nevertheless, that “legal engine,” a bedrock of courtrooms for centuries, will soon be a central feature of sexual harassment grievance hearings at American colleges and universities.

Flora Pettit Helps Sponsor The Great Community Give

Flora Pettit Helps Sponsor The Great Community Give

Flora Pettit joined The Community Foundation and the Harrisonburg/Rockingham nonprofit community as a Bronze Sponsor for this year's event. Our contribution, along with other generous sponsors, generated $77,000 in cash prizes that were given out every hour on the hour.  The Great Community Give is a single day of giving to partnered local nonprofits to promote charitable giving in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Their mission is to strengthen our communities through purposeful giving and active engagement, which closely aligns with Flora Pettit's mission. We truly thank The Community Foundation for this opporunity to make a difference in our community!

Flora Pettit is Pleased to Announce that Three New Attorneys Have Joined the Law Firm in its Charlottesville Office

Flora Pettit is Pleased to Announce that Three New Attorneys Have Joined the Law Firm in its Charlottesville Office

Marc Peritz, formerly of Morin & Barkley LLP, maintains a varied litigation practice devoting a substantial portion of his practice to medical malpractice defense, trucking litigation, insurance coverage litigation and counseling, insurance defense litigation, and other types of complex litigation and commercial matters. Chris Tate, formerly of Morin & Barkley LLP, focuses his practice on civil litigation, including medical malpractice defense, insurance coverage and defense, construction litigation, and commercial litigation. In addition, Mr. Tate maintains an active higher education law practice, providing investigation, consultation, and crisis response services to colleges and universities. Shannon Temlak, a recent law graduate, focuses her practice on civil litigation including commercial, real estate and employment litigation.  She also has experience with family law and management employment law counseling.

Richard Howard-Smith Authors an Article Published in the Spring 2020 Edition of The Journal of the VSB Real Property Section

Richard Howard-Smith Authors an Article Published in the Spring 2020 Edition of The Journal of the VSB Real Property Section

This article is intended to introduce the reader to Virginia’s newest legal entity and provide a brief overview of some of the more significant characteristics of the “protected series limited liability company” (the “SeLLC”). Hopefully the article provides information to enable readers to assess the potential of the SeLLC with their own review and research of the Act and the SeLLC for asset holding structures that might be useful in particular situations. In particular, a basic discussion of the use of SeLLCs for real estate holdings in Virginia is included.

Flora Pettit is Pleased to Announce that Four of its Attorneys Have Been Honored by Selection for Inclusion in the 2020 Virginia Super Lawyers List

Flora Pettit is Pleased to Announce that Four of its Attorneys Have Been Honored by Selection for Inclusion in the 2020 Virginia Super Lawyers List

Flora Pettit is pleased to announce that four of its attorneys have been honored by selection for inclusion in the 2020 Virginia Super Lawyers list, a Thomson Reuters business. Two of Flora Pettit’s attorneys have been recognized for inclusion in the “Virginia Super Lawyers” list and two of its attorneys have been named to the “Virginia Rising Stars” list. Super Lawyers annually selects lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement through a rigorous process that includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. To be selected as a Rising Star, lawyers must either be 40 years old or younger, or have been in practice for 10 years or fewer.

Our Response to COVID-19

Our Response to COVID-19

Flora Pettit is prioritizing the health, safety and well-being of our clients and staff. As such, we are currently monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely. We are relying on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and will follow the advice of local and national public health authorities. We have increased cleaning protocols in our offices and implemented personnel policies that should help mitigate potential exposure. At this time our offices remain open, however, we are trying to limit in-person meetings. If an in-person meeting is necessary, please call in advance of the meeting to confirm that (i) you are not showing any symptoms of COVID-19, (ii) you have not traveled to any high-risk areas (which now include Europe, the UK and Ireland in addition to China and Iran) or been on a cruise within the last 14 days, and (iii) you have not been in contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 within the last 14 days. If a client answers yes to any of these questions, we will consider and discuss available alternatives. Flora Pettit has systems in place to continue providing excellent and responsive legal services to clients during this time. We have remote meeting and conference call capabilities, password protected file sharing, and electronic signature options available when permitted (certain legal documents require personal signatures.) We will discuss with each client what we can do to best help them with their needs.