The University of Richmond Law Review is proud to present the thirty-fourth issue of the Annual Survey of Virginia Law. Since 1985, the Annual Survey has striven to provide a comprehensive resource detailing recent legislative, judicial, and administrative changes in Virginia. Today, the Annual Survey is the most widely read publication of the University of Richmond Law Review, reaching lawyers, judges, legislators, and students in every corner of the Commonwealth. In continuing the Annual Survey tradition, we have selected pieces we believe are timely, compelling, and useful to staying informed of relevant legal and social issues.
The University of Richmond School of Law is heavily associated with the legal community of Richmond; many alumni begin their careers right here in town, and some spend most, if not all, of their careers in Richmond. This year, the Richmond legal community lost a distinguished defense attorney and University of Richmond School of Law alumnus Michael Morchower. We are proud to help preserve his legacy with an In Memoriam.
This issue of the Annual Survey of Virginia Law further contains seven articles, each providing summaries of changes in the last year to substantive areas of the law. The topics of these updates include Civil Practice and Procedure; Criminal Law and Procedure; Corporate and Business Law; Employment Law; Taxation; Wills, Trusts, and Estates; and Local Government. Additionally, this issue contains two essays focused on narrower topics in the law, including both an analysis of the downfall of Virginia’s Incumbent Protection Act and an exploration of emotional distress claims in the Virginia workplace. Finally, the Law Review is proud to also include a student comment written by a University of Richmond Law Review staff member, which sheds light on a foster-care-to-prison pipeline in Virginia.
The enduring Annual Survey tradition is made possible only by the commitment and talent of our authors, many of whom contribute to the Annual Survey each year. Each unique piece is the culmination of diligence, resounding expertise, and sacrificed time, all in the name of legal scholarship. I am grateful for these authors’ continued dedication to our publication and the furtherance of the Virginia legal community.
I would also like to extend sincerest thanks to the Law Review staff for their careful editing and commitment to our organization, especially by balancing editing duties with associate positions and internships throughout the summer. In particular, the efforts of our Editor-in-Chief, Ashley Phillips; our Executive Editor, Thomas Dorsey; and my fellow executive board members Athena Dufour, Allison Bohan, Jon Roellke, Kellen Shearin, and Grace Nichols have been invaluable over the last several months. I know that no matter what Bluebook problem keeps me up at night, one of you always has the answer.
I also cannot give enough thanks to both Glenice Coombs and Emily Palombo. Glenice, your enduring commitment and sharp wit keep the wind in our sails, and we would surely be lost without you. Emily, your guidance and continued devotion to the Annual Survey tradition has helped me time and time again, something I am ever grateful for.
Finally, thank you to my wonderful and supportive friends and family, especially my parents, Mark and Connie, and my two older brothers, Jacob and Lucas. Thank you all for your unwavering love and encouragement, and especially to Lucas for allowing me the privilege of featuring your work in our publication. And of course, thank you to Marina Batalias for your steadfast support throughout law school, which helped make all of this possible.
We hope you find the 2019 Annual Survey of Virginia Law valuable, helpful, and thought-provoking. As a lifelong Virginia resident, it has been an honor to serve as the Editor of the 2019 Annual Survey of Virginia Law, and I thank you for your continued readership and patronage.
Matthew L. Pangle
Annual Survey Editor