• Implementing a Complaint Procedure – Slideshow Presentation: Download this Slideshow Presentation Susan Tarley m… #
• Tarley Robinson Virginia Law is out! ? Top stories today via @gatewood5000 @resipsaapps #
• Looks like bill to increase Va. General District Court jurisdiction to $25,000 will pass http://ow.ly/3TNzl #
• CDC Review Finds No Link Between Chinese Drywall and 11 Reported Deaths in U.S. including 1 in Williamsburg http://ow.ly/3TMZG #
• RT @RVALawyer: New App by Va Lawyer for Va Lawyer.The Virginia Courts app covers every jurisdiction in Virginia http://fb.me/zzTgig6E #
• RT @constructionlaw: New: How To Land Your Dream Job great advice for law students and even Attys seeking change #
• Overnight snow on the ground in Williamsburg and nothing is canceled or delayed. That has to be a first for the modern era. #
• Just a shoutout to RT @SalsByVictor: new website. Recovering nicely after devastating fire a couple of years ago. http://fb.me/PUSX2Nwv #
• Tarley Robinson Virginia Law is out! ? Top stories today via @rvalawyer @szucker @valw @venturelawyer @ronaldelkins #
• TarleyRobinson Williamsburg Daily is out! ? Top stories today via @hittjw @weddlady @alisonheittman @vagazette #
• 2 Minute Drill for 2011-02-09: Maybe this plan will work? RT @rocketmatter: Get More Done: A Round Up of Timers .. #
• The Tarley Robinson HOA Daily is out! ? Top stories today via @tarleyrobinson @minn_hoa_law @hoamgtcom #
• Tarley Robinson February 2011 Newsletter: February Tarley Robinson Newsletter Topics include a discussion of ema.. #

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• Maybe this plan will work? RT @rocketmatter: Get More Done: A Round Up of Timers To Keep Lawyers Productive #
• When must an HOA release a lien? http://ow.ly/3T1FG #HOA #
• Update on HOA bills in the Virginia General Assembly. http://ow.ly/3T1pV #HOA #
• Using your company computer and company email account to email your attorney may be a bad idea. http://ow.ly/3T1jS #
• We have helped HOAs with this, and it can work RT@hoasoftware Code of Conduct can benefit HOA/Condo Association Boards. #
• Ford's Colony Country Club bankruptcy update. Relief from stay denied. Revisit in March. Ticking clock. #Williamsburg #
• Update: mortgage assignment recording bill killed in General Assembly http://ow.ly/3SZ9i #VirginiaLaw #
• Twitter Updates for 2011-02-08: The Tarley Robinson HOA Daily is out! ? Top stories today v.. #

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February Tarley Robinson Newsletter

Topics include a discussion of email scams. Also, we’re sure that you have already made your diet or exercise New Year’s Resolutions. Hopefully you are still on track! For your homeowners association, here’s a simple, but effective and invaluable list of suggested New Year’s Resolutions.

• The Tarley Robinson HOA Daily is out! ? Top stories today via @condobusiness @hoasoftware @seacondoatty #
• Condo unit financing: no easy proposition | Inside Business: via @addthis #HOA #
• James City Co. incubator welcomes new clients | Inside Business: via @addthis #
• Tarley Robinson Virginia Law is out! ? Top stories today via @sharonnelsonesq @fairfaxbar #
• How important are state statutes and case decisions in governing your HOA?: We discussed Governing Documents for… #
• Ask your legal question and get it answered! http://ow.ly/3Si6U @vagazette #
• RT @Lawyerist reasons to separate Business from Personal on Work Computer http://goo.gl/fb/AoCpP More reasons on our blog http://ow.ly/3ShUt #
• Hampton Roads builders buying and fully remediating Chinese drywall houses to resell. http://ow.ly/3ShzG #
• Norment bill to benefit one person in York County clears committee in General Assembly http://ow.ly/3ShxN http://ow.ly/3ShxO #
• Middlesex County: Real estate appraisals reports declining values http://t.co/reFExN4 Headline says "steady values" #
• The Roots rock Charter Day at W&M http://t.co/S4aKorC @VaGazette @Questlove @WMnews #
• TarleyRobinson Williamsburg Daily is out! ? Top stories today via @vagazette @wmalumni @williamsburg411 #

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Tarley Robinson January 2011 Newsletter

Catch up on relevant legal information we discussed in our December blogs. Topics include:

In a struggling real estate market, the payment of real estate commissions becomes more contentious. We reviewed two recent cases involving disputes over the payment of real estate broker commissions. In one case, the Virginia Supreme Court reviewed whether it could enforce an oral listing agreement. In the other case,  a New Kent County judge reviewed the terms of the listing agreement to determine whether a real estate broker could recover a commission when the closing occurred after the expiration of listing agreement.

Also, we reviewed our discussion regarding raising money or obtaining other property for investment purposes. Learn why anyone raising money or obtaining other property for an investment of any kind from whatever source, perhaps especially from “family and friends,” should take care to obtain competent legal advice from an attorney well versed in securities law.

Tarley's compilation of articles he has been reading about the law

1. Undefeated and 9-time world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather is being sued by the homeowners association governing his gated community. According to the lawsuit filed by HOA’s attorney, it seems that Floyd has been “threatening the life of a patrol officer, physically accosting a security officer, refusing to provide identity to gate officers.” Among other things, the HOA wants Floyd to stay in his car when he gets to the gate. Seems like good advice.
2. Continuing with the sports theme, Newport News, Virginia native and former NFL quarterback Aaron Brooks has signed a deal with construction giant Armada Hoffler to develop the Southeast Community of Newport News. Newport News is trying to redevelop the Southeast Community and hopes are that the venture between Armada Hoffler and Brooks will succeed.
3. Mediation is a good idea, and it’s an even better idea to do it early before extensive litigation expenses are incurred. Some confuse “arbitration” with “mediation” but in mediation, an independent third party mediator helps the parties negotiate a resolution. Just like in negotiations, you control the outcome: neither a mediator nor your attorney can negotiate a resolution without your authorization. A mediator helps facilitate the negotiation, but cannot make decisions or rulings on your case. On the other hand, arbitrations are like trials and arbitrators make decisions like judges.

Today’s collection of notable legal stories we tracked.

1. Ex-Texas Tech coach Mike Leach sued his former employer. But he does not believe that little fact is impacting his job search. Reality check here Mike, Maryland hired Randy Edsall whose team lost to Oklahoma by 48-20. In your last game against the Sooners, your team beat Oklahoma 41-13. Suing your former employer is usually a bad career move and it makes it less likely a new employer will take a chance on you.
2. We represent a number of community associations, but not this one. A blind man, Tim Spencer, is fighting complaints and fines stemming from his guide dog’s barking. The Chicago condominium association where he lives has scheduled a hearing to resolve the $300 in fines. I do not know all the facts, but it does not take a legal genius to figure out that suing a blind man because his guard dog is barking is not going to look good.
3. A Virginia judge assessed attorneys’ fees and costs against Westmoreland County officials for holding a closed meeting in violation of the Freedom of Information Act. Ironically, the officials met secretly to discuss a contract with The O’Gara Group, many of whose employees and leaders are former CIA.

The 2-Minute Drill

We continue to warn about the dangers of email scams, safe emailing, and protecting the attorney-client privilege. Here are a few more reasons why.

1.  In this litigation, in-house counsel for defendant received inadvertent emails from plaintiffs. In-house counsel passed them onto attorneys representing the defendant. The court ruled that act tainted the defendant’s attorneys and ordered them replaced.

2. Mom’s children shared an email account with mom. Mom communicated with her attorneys on that account. Court said that sharing waived her attorney-client privilege.

3. Finally, in what seems a nonsensical decision, a man suspected his wife of an affair. On their shared laptop, he logged into her Google gmail account and found, what he considered incriminating evidence. He turned over the emails. Now he is being prosecuted under an anti-hacking statute.

The 2-Minute Drill

1. Governor McDonnell takes Virginia attorneys’ money, still doesn’t fund vacant judge positions. York County will continue to be without a full-time judge.

2. Shocking. A bill has been proposed to limit car title lending interest rate to 36%. Think about it, that means the lending rate is regularly higher than that!

3. I think I’ll do a post on all the lawyer references in “True Grit.”  Some other day. In one scene, Rooster mentions reading Daniel’s treatise on Negotiable Instruments. I looked it up and found this link showing that Daniel may have been a Lynchburg, Va. attorney. How about that?

4. We represent many homeowners associations. . The HOA says inflatable Mickey Mouse is ok, but the “Happy Birthday Jesus” sign, no.