BLOGS: Western District of Virginia Law Blog

Jason grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, clerked for Judge Samuel G. Wilson in Roanoke, Virginia, and practices law in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014, 3:02 PM

Senate Approves Judicial Nomination of Elizabeth Dillon

The Western District of Virginia has a new judge.

Yesterday, the US Senate confirmed the nomination of Salem attorney Elizabeth Dillon to replace Judge Wilson, who retired in August.  Judge Dillon will be the first female judge in the Western District of Virginia.  Like her predecessor and the author of this blog, Judge Dillon is a graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law.

Dillon has been a practicing attorney in the Roanoke/Salem area for many years is also a former city attorney for the City of Roanoke.  President Obama nominated Dillon on September 18, 2014, after Virginia's two senators had recommended her and Ward Armstrong for the spot.  The Virginia Lawyers Weekly article about the confirmation is here.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has published Judge Dillon's answers to written questions submitted by Senators, including Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Ted Cruz.  Many of the questions are overtly political and most of the answers are boilerplate, but there were some interesting parts.  For example, this is how Judge Dillon described the most important attribute of a judge:

"The most important attribute of a judge is to have the utmost respect for the tremendous responsibility of the position. A judge who recognizes and respects the responsibility of the position will respect the rule of law, the litigants, and the lawyers, and will serve with integrity, fairness, and impartiality. I have the utmost respect for the tremendous responsibility of the position and would be honored to serve should I be confirmed."

We are looking forward to Judge Dillon's tenure as the newest federal judge in the Western District of Virginia.


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Thursday, December 4, 2014, 4:54 PM

Womble Client Wins Stormwater Case in Charlottesville

Another victory in Central Virginia for Womble Carlyle.  Last week, Albemarle County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Higgins ruled in favor of the Shops at Stonefield (also known as Albemarle Place), finding the stormwater management plan for the shopping center was reasonable and lawful.  In so ruling, the Court denied the requested injunction and is set to dismiss the trespass and nuisance claims filed by a neighboring shopping center.  This ruling comes after a week long bench trial before Judge Higgins in June 2014.  More information about the case and the real estate development at issue is in the following article from Charlottesville Tomorrow.  Womble Carlyle attorneys Paul Kaplan and Jason Hicks represented Stonefield in this matter.

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