Becoming a member of the Va. Bar takes stamina
October 28, 2008
A friend of mine drove down to Richmond on Monday to get sworn in to the Virginia Bar.
After taking what some have said to be the hardest bar exam in the nation (yes, he told me that after the exam, even those who took the California and New York bar exams said Virginia’s was by far the hardest), the new admittees were subject to a new form of torture: an almost four-hour-long swearing-in ceremony.
Evidently, in Virginia, every single person must be named before the group swears to uphold the state and U.S. constitutions. And, not only is every single name read, the name of the law school each admittee attended is also read aloud.
My friend tells me that there had to be at least 3,000 people at the ceremony yesterday (he said he was eyeballing it, and in my experience, he doesn’t tend to exaggerate).
Three hours and 45 minutes later, the new admittees were finally released. I guess the Commonwealth of Virginia wants to make sure its attorneys know just how privileged they are to be members of the Virginia State Bar. It was certainly a ceremony my friend will never forget.
CHRISTINA DORAN, Assistant Legal Editor
Sphere: Related ContentEmbracing the ‘Potomac Primary’
February 11, 2008
If you’re still getting used to the idea that your primary vote carries significant weight this time around, you’re not alone. I felt like I couldn’t escape the campaign ads all weekend.
Though predictions have been swirling about the impending “sweep” by Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, some voters are still undecided. Here’s your guide to the metropolitan-area movements of the presidential candidates today, in case you’d like to take one in:
BARACK OBAMA
- Rally at the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.; Free, public
- Rally at the 1st Mariner Area, Baltimore. Doors open at 2:45 p.m.; Free, public; RSVP encouraged
HILLARY CLINTON
After speaking yesterday in Bowie, the District and Manassas, Va., here’s the Clintons’ schedule for today:
Hillary: Will tour the GM Allison Transmission Plant in White Marsh, Md. and will speak at UVA in Charlottesville, Va. She’ll also take part in a Politico/ABC7 forum this evening.
Bill: Will speak in Fredericksburg, Roanoke and Fairfax, Va.
JOHN MCCAIN
- Rally in Richmond, Va. at Richmond International Airport. Begins at 5:30 p.m.; 5701 Hunstman Road
Have you already visited a local rally or speech? What were your impressions?
Above: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands with Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley during a town hall meeting at Bowie State University in on Sunday, Feb. 10. (AP Photo/Baltimore Sun, Kenneth K. Lam)
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentAnimosity between Washington Post, Virginia bloggers?
December 27, 2007
A NoVa blogger posted over the holidays about the “simmering animosity that has been developing between the Virginia blogosphere and the Washington Post.” According to Prince William Co. blogger bvbl, WaPo is pushing sources not to talk to Virginia bloggers, threatening to cut off coverage.
The Post did launch LoudounExtra.com recently, but the site links to other area blogs run by bloggers not affiliated with the Post. They also have a “sponsored blogroll” on the bottom of the main post.com home page that links to blogs that participate in the ad sales program.
Why would WaPo do that if it felt blogs were competition?
JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor
Sphere: Related ContentNoVa-based business class airline abruptly grounded
December 24, 2007
MAXjet Airways, an all-business class airline based in Dulles, Va., said today it would file for bankruptcy - leaving jets on the tarmac and stranding passengers on Christmas Eve.
In October, the airline halted flights from London to Washington, D.C., according to the BBJ. Earlier this month, it asked for trading of its stock on the London Alternative Investment Market to be stopped. And today, it cited high fuel prices and the deteriorating credit market for its “drastic measure.”
An airline consultant told the AP that “while business class service can be very profitable to airlines, it’s also a very “thin” market,” [Robert] Mann said. Serving, typically, “40 to 70 seats per flight, depending on the route and aircraft.” Any loss of market share to a competitor can be devastating, particularly to an all business-class carrier like MAXjet that didn’t have revenue from economy passengers — or a robust route system — to fall back on.
Rival business class airlines Eos and Silverjet claimed Monday to be enjoying continued success in the business travel market.
JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor
Sphere: Related ContentPaula Deen gets heat over Smithfield Foods endorsement
December 11, 2007
First, a confession: I know this isn’t a typical blog post for On the Record, but anything Paula Deen-related always catches my eye. And, as you’ll soon discover, this squabble involves a Virginia-based company, so I feel justified.
Here’s the story: the Queen of Butter herself, Savannah’s Paula Deen, is being hounded by protestors for her relationship with Virginia’s Smithfield Foods (she peddles their hams).
Why are is the United Food and Commercial Workers union angry with the makers of the tasty meat? Because the union has fought with Smithfield Foods for more than a decade due to attempts to unionize workers at its pork-processing plant in N.C., the largest in the world.
Somehow, the protestors believe it’s Deen’s responsibility to meet with workers and take their concerns to Smithfield executives. And it sounds like they’ll chant “Paula, Paula, meet with the workers!” until she gives in.
The best part of the story? The reporter notes of the commotion outside The Lady & Sons, Deen’s restaurant: “Few customers inside bothered to look up from plates of fried chicken and sweet potatoes.”
JACKIE SAUTER, Multimedia Editor
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