The past two years have seen an extraordinary amount of legislative change in the Commonwealth. Much attention has been paid to landmark bills such as the abolition of the death penalty and the legalization of marijuana; however, beyond the banner headlines a host of legislative changes were enacted during the last two special sessions that have fundamentally altered long-standing aspects of Virginia law and procedure – in both the criminal and civil realms. Basic questions regarding interpretation, retroactivity, and the collateral consequences of these new laws continue to vex courts and practitioners. This CLE addresses some of these less-heralded but still significant changes, with a particular emphasis on their impact for General District Court practitioners, both criminal and civil.
Hon. Donald M. Haddock, Jr. Chief Judge Alexandria General District Court Hon. Donald M. Haddock, Jr., Chief Judge, has been sitting in the Alexandria General District Court since 2008. Prior to becoming a judge, he was in private practice, the last five years of which he had a solo practice in Alexandria based primarily in litigation. He attended the University of Virginia as an undergraduate and for law school.
Sean A. Sherlock PartnerKing, Campbell, Poretz, and Mitchell PLLC
Sean A. Sherlock is a partner at King, Campbell, Poretz & Mitchell, PLLC, where he focuses his practice on criminal defense in the state and federal courts in Virginia, and civil litigation. Prior to re-entering private practice in 2018, Sean worked as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in the City of Alexandria, where he tried jury trials on offenses ranging from drug possession to murder. Sean graduated cum laude from American University, Washington College of Law, in 2011. During law school he clerked for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Crime and Drugs Subcommittee. He has taught CLEs on various topics including electronic evidence, victimless prosecution of domestic violence cases, and Fourth and Fifth Amendment issues, at local and state-wide conferences. Sean was born in the City of Alexandria, and lives in the Beverly Hills neighborhood of Alexandria with his wife Christina and three lovely daughters.
Alexandria CourthouseThe Alexandria Bar Association520 King Street, Room 202Alexandria, VA 22314Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. by telephone 703-548-1106 or email at alexbar@alexandriabarva.org
Alexandria Circuit CourtAlexandria General District CourtAlexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations CourtGeneral Information for Virginia Courts
Lawyer Referral ServiceLegal Services of Northern VirginiaAlexandria Law LibraryVirginia State Bar