Written by: Guy Jeffress In April 2022, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (aka “NAIOP”), released the results of their national Developer Approvals Index study. The results of the study ranked Prince William County, Virginia in sixth place nationally, with an overall weighted score of 51, and attained a category-leading score of 75 points for

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Written By Lisa Shea, Esq. The United States has announced a program to benefit Ukrainians still living abroad through its Uniting for Ukraine program. This is a new parole allowing a U.S. supporter or sponsor, who 1) has lawful status in the US, 2) passes a security and background check, and 3) has sufficient financial

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Written By Lisa Shea, Esq. Pictured is Marta and her beautiful two-year-old daughter.  Marta is an immigration success story after Lisa Shea, head of the immigration practice group at VFN, helped Marta obtain her green card in 2011 through special immigrant juvenile status adjustment.  Marta was born in El Salvador in 1991 and at the

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I think that I shall never see

            a billboard lovely as a tree.

Perhaps, unless the billboards fall,

            I’ll never see a tree at all.

—Ogden  Nash

Written by: Monica Munin, Esq. The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia released a published opinion granting (in part) a plaintiff’s motion to compel seeking the release of an employer’s communications and investigation report with counsel regarding a complaint of sexual harassment.  The motion also sought information from counsel regarding what

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Congratulations to Rick Nishanian for being named a “Go-to Lawyer” in Business by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (VLW). This program recognizes the top lawyers across the commonwealth in a given practice area, and the first field of practice is business law. Rick handles complex business matters, mergers and acquisitions, and structuring business and real estate transactions

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By Lisa Shea, Esq. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today the designation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of April 14, 2022, will be eligible for TPS. “The United States recognizes the ongoing armed conflict in Cameroon, and

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By Brett Callahan People often want to know what the difference is between mediation and arbitration.  It all comes down to who makes the final decision on how to resolve the issue, you or someone else. “Traditional” litigation often presents the same two options: do you want to settle the case, giving you some control

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By Lisa Shea, Esq. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan due to the ongoing dire situation in Afghanistan with the Taliban takeover. Any Afghan who has lived in the United States as of March 15, 2022, and continues to live in the U.S., may qualify to register for

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By Lisa Shea, Esq. On March 21, 2022, CARECEN (The Central American Resource Center) and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) entered into a Stipulation (settlement agreement) whereby USCIS will generally exercise its prosecutorial discretion by agreeing to jointly re-open deportation orders, move to dismiss removal proceedings and allow certain persons with Temporary Protected

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Written by: Bradley Marshall, Esq., VF&N Criminal Law Division A deferred disposition is a way to resolve a criminal case in a way that can reduce or even dismiss a charge if certain conditions are met.  Generally, the defendant has to enter a plea of guilty or no contest (meaning you don’t admit guilt, but

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Written by: Guy Jeffress In a January 2022 unpublished opinion, the Court of Appeals of Virginia upheld the immediate revocation of a certificate of occupancy for a hospitality venue located in Fairfax County, effectively closing the business. The revocation was based in part on a single notice of violation issued by Fairfax County almost nine

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VF&N is pleased to announce that four of its senior associates, consisting of Brett Callahan, Olaun Simmons, Guy Jeffress, and Bradley Marshall, have been named as partners effective March 1, 2022.“Each of our new partners have demonstrated superior legal ability, work ethic and commitment to our clients and our communities,” said Rick Nishanian, the VF&N

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Every second Friday of the month VFN host a fun event for their employees. This month’s Fun Friday did not disappoint. Murlarkey Distilled Spirits set up a tasting and a few mixed drinks at our office. Thank you MurLarkey Distilled Spirits for creating a memorable event for our staff. This blog post is not intended

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Written by: Tyler Blaser,Esq. Part II: Securing Your Transaction Secured Transactions. The success of every business depends on its ability to drive revenue through securing payment of amounts they are owed. My social media feed is full of memes with lofty inspirational quotes about how everyone should love what they do. I’m not here to

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By Lisa Shea, Esq. ***UPDATE EFFECTIVE 03/01/2022 Very exciting update!  The Biden Administration has authorized Temporary Protected Status for Ukraine today for anyone who was present in the United States on March 1, 2022.  It will be for a period of 18 months.  Eligible persons, approximately 75,000 Ukrainians in the US, will be able to

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By Bradley Marshall, Esq. What happens if you have been charged with a crime, but the code section you are charged with or a related code section changes before your case gets finalized in court?  That is a pressing question right now in Virginia as sweeping criminal justice reform measures took effect in 2021.  Cases

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By Martin Crim, Esq. If a legislative bill has no preamble, readers are left guessing at what problem the drafter is trying to solve, if any. If the preamble identifies the problem to be solved, then readers can evaluate whether the proposed solution is effective, proportional, and practical. Most Americans (and many others around the

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Written By:Kristina Keech Spitler, Esq. COVID-19 Legal Update Businesses continue to have challenges in dealing with the Covid-19 virus’ impact in the workplace, figuring out how to comply with the many changing laws and regulations, and trying to work with people with divergent views of what constitutes the “correct” actions for a business or school

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The Wrong “Help” Can Hurt: The Importance of Experienced and Licensed Legal Counsel in Immigration Cases and How to Avoid Scams by Fraud Notarios By Meghan M. Phillips, Esq.[1] The rapidly changing immigration laws and policies of the United States often require non-citizens or their family members to seek legal assistance. In fact, the complexity

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Written by: Monica Munin, Esq. Republican governor Glenn Youngkin assumed office on January 15, 2022, enacting 11 executive orders including orders that; end mandatory masking for children in grade K-12; ban critical race theory from state classrooms; promise to “investigate wrongdoing” in Loudoun County Public Schools; and, promise to cut workplace regulations.  Consequently, the fate

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Written by: Tyler Blaser,Esq. Part I: Protecting You & Your Business from Legal Liability The Problem. As a young lawyer growing a business transactions legal practice, one of my toughest challenges is helping entrepreneurs in our community understand the cost-benefit value of consulting with a lawyer to plan and prevent legal problems, rather than contacting

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Written by: Guy Jeffress On Wednesday, December 8, 2021, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”), a bureau of the U.S. Treasury that works to safeguard the U.S. financial system from illicit use and money laundering, and to promote national security, issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (a “ANPRM”) to solicit public comments on proposed

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Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is honored and proud to announce that 11 of its attorneys have been selected by the Virginia Business Magazine as 2021 Legal Elite. Virginia Business Magazine recognizes each year the leading attorneys in Virginia by practice area. We congratulate our selected attorneys for their great achievement.

Written by: Brett Callahan Legal Risk Check-Up It is almost the end of the calendar year! It is also a busy time for many businesses as they try to wrap up any deals, close their books for end-of-the-year accounting, recognize their employees, and celebrate their past year’s accomplishments. And let’s face it, making it through

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Written by: Bradley Marshall 2022 Criminal Law Mental Health Update Bradley Marshall will be teaching a continued legal education class on Friday, January 21st, and on Wednesday, March 9th. Both of these dates offer a live webcast and live telephone options. He will go over the new updates effective July 2021, how these changes apply

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Written by: Olaun Simmons City of Manassas Approves Special Use Permit for Building Expansion Olaun Simmons of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. represented the Prince William Islamic Center in their pursuit of a special use permit to expand their place of worship located on Mathis Avenue. The PWIC, a well-established religious institution in the community

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Written by: Martin Crim Freedom of Information Act – How Can We Best Serve the Public? Virginia first adopted a Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, in the 1960s. Its purpose is to ensure that the people of the Commonwealth have ready access to public records in the custody of a public body or its

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Written by: Guy Jeffress Phase I Environmental Site Assessment – updated standard requirements On November 1, 2021, ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) approved revisions to the ASTM 1527 standard, more commonly known as a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report. Once the new standard is adopted by the Environmental Protection

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Written by: Meghan Phillips Six Paths to Legal Immigration Status Without Staying in an Abusive Relationship A topic that sadly affects many immigrants is abusive relationships or domestic violence. One out of four women and one out of nine men in the United States sadly suffer from this issue. Immigrant women and men are not

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Written by: Mosal Hashimee Abandoned, Afghans Desperately Wait for News of Pending Humanitarian Parole Applications Amidst Unprecedented Levels of Poverty and Hunger Over three months ago, the world witnessed the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban for the second time in 25 years. As the U.S. expedited its evacuation of troops and personnel, Afghans desperately

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Written by: Monica Munin OSHA published its highly anticipated Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS” or “the standard”) on November 5, 2021, mandating those private employers with 100 or more employees implement a policy that requires all employees to either receive one of the COVID-19 vaccines or submit to weekly COVID tests and wear a face covering

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Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is pleased to announce that Ms. Lisa Shea (formerly Lisa Johnson-Firth) and the lawyers and staff of Immigrants First, PLLC have joined our firm. Ms. Shea has focused her practice in immigration law for 20 years.  As a nationally recognized leader in immigration law, she has used her immigration expertise

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Marijuana became legal in Virginia for the first time in July 2021.  But it is not entirely unregulated; there are still laws and regulations that govern its use, gifting, growing, sales, and more. In this blog – part of Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian, P.C.’s series featuring our new cannabis practice area – we explore what

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  This article provides a high-level overview of the new legal landscape in Virginia related to the production and sale of cannabis and the opportunities out there for entrepreneurs. For perspective, the Virginia General Assembly has only approved four (4) companies to legally process pharmaceutical cannabis for medical use, with one additional permit authorized, but

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  In Grano v. Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Judge Moon of the Federal District Court made preliminary rulings about a new Virginia law that allows electric utilities to put broadband cables in existing electrical easements. The facts are these: A new state law in 2020 granted electric utilities like Rappahannock Electric Cooperative the power to install broadband cables

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  The new law statute talks explicitly about what happens when somebody needs to have medical cannabis oil. One thing they must do, is they have to possess an unexpired written certification from a practitioner (which could be a doctor or a nurse practitioner.) Someone who’s usually allowed to write prescriptions. They must be registered

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Virginia’s new law that prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, or discriminating against an employee for the employee’s lawful use of cannabis oil. Virginia recently enacted a new law that makes it unlawful for employers to discharge, discipline or discriminate against an employee for the employee’s lawful use of “cannabis oil.”  In order for the use

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Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is pleased to announce the addition of our newest associate Monica Munin. She is currently licensed and authorized to practice law in the District of Columbia. Her practice includes employment law as well as litigation. Prior to joining VF&N, Ms. Munin worked as an associate at Brustein & Manasevit PLLC

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Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is pleased to announce the addition of our newest associate Tyler J Blaser. His practice includes commercial real estate, business, and other complex financial transactions. Prior to joining VF&N, Mr. Blaser worked as a business transaction and commercial litigation associate for Surovell Isaacs & Levy PLC and as a clerk

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Congratulations to Kristina Keech Spitler for being named as “ Virginia’s Go-to Lawyer” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (VLW) in Employment Law. This program recognizes the top lawyers across the commonwealth in a given practice area. A full profile, highlighting Ms. Spitler’s achievements in Employment law, is featured on the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Site. Kristina Keech

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Delving into the Weeds: How to Prepare for the Legalization of Marijuana in the Workplace Join Kristina Keech Spitler, Esq of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. for this one hour session where she will review Virginia’s new marijuana-related legislation and explain what it means for employers. Attendees can expect to learn about the particulars of

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Oct. 8th, 2021: 8:00 am- 5:00 pm Manassas, VA Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian P.C. in collaboration with Prince William SHRM will host our 10th annual Employment Law & HR Virtual Summit, Level up: HR as the game changer. The Summit offers an easy and affordable way to summarize and highlight the most up-to-date information employers

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Olaun A. Simmons, as legal counsel for the Town of Quantico, Virginia, recently completed a lengthy and extensive review and revision of the Town of Quantico’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan in order to achieve compliance with Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. As a result of Mr. Simmons’s work and diligence, on March

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VF&N’s criminal defense attorney, Bradley Marshall, will co-teach CLE on the representation of mentally ill defendants in criminal cases March 9th and March 31st, 2021 Register Here: https://www.vacle.org/product.aspx?zpid=7147 The Virginia State Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct form the backdrop of any attorney-client-based interaction. In their application to handling mentally ill clients, the Rules are instructive

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VF&N is Named One of the Best Places to Work in Virginia! Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is honored to be named one of the 2021 Best Places to Work in Virginia by Virginia Business Magazine and Best Companies Group. This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best

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Congratulations to Michael Vanderpool for being named as a “Go-to Lawyer” in Virginia by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (VLW). This program recognizes the top lawyers across the commonwealth in a given practice area, and the first field of practice is business law. A “Go To Lawyer” is defined as: A lawyer who is an expert in

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Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is proud to announce that three of its attorneys have been recognized by the Virginia Business Magazine as being among Virginia’s “Legal Elite” within their various practice categories. We are extremely honored to celebrate their continued success and exceptional work!

EMPLOYMENT LAW SUMMIT 2020 Oct. 9th, 2020: 8:30 am- 1:00 pm If you enjoyed our 2020 Legislative Update and Business Continuity Resources COVID Series, this event will not disappoint! Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian P.C in collaboration with Prince William SHRM will host our 9th annual Employment Law Summit, Moving Forward Together. The Summit offers an easy and affordable

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Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is pleased to announce the addition of our newest associate Laura M. D’Agostino. Her practice includes employment law and litigation. Laura’s passion for business and employment law stems from her upbringing and involvement in her family’s business. In this role, Laura assumed significant management responsibilities as she interacted with local

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Part 1 of a Series By Kristina Keech Spitler, Esq. On July 27th, 2020, the “New Emergency Temporary Standard – Infectious Disease Prevention: SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19” by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (“DOLI”) became effective and applies to virtually all employers in Virginia. It is the first of its kind in the

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(Part Four of a Four-Part Series)  By Kristina Keech Spitler, Esq. and Brendan F. Cassidy, Esq. A new law prohibits Virginia employers from entering into, enforcing, or threatening to enforce non-compete agreements with low wage employees.  A “low-wage employee” is defined as a worker whose average weekly earnings during the previous 52 weeks “are less than

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(Part Four of a Four-Part Series)  By Kristina Keech Spitler, Esq. and Brendan F. Cassidy, Esq. Employers Must Report Independent Contractors to the Virginia New Hire Reporting Center A new law requires Employers to submit independent contractor information to the Virginia New Hire Reporting Center in the same manner as employees if the independent contractor: Has

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(Part Three of a Four-Part Series)  By Kristina Keech Spitler, Esq. and Brendan F. Cassidy, Esq. Virginia employers will need to comply with a new Virginia minimum wage increase to $9.50 an hour starting May 1, 2021. Initially the minimum wage increase was planned for January 1, 2021, but Governor Northam delayed the increase as a

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(Part Three of a Four-Part Series)  By Kristina Keech Spitler, Esq. and Brendan F. Cassidy, Esq. While businesses have been focused on dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, working remotely, educating kids, and figuring out how to return to work safely, new laws will go into effect starting on July 1, 2020 that you need to know

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(Part Three of a Four-Part Series)  By Kristina Keech Spitler, Esq. and Brendan F. Cassidy, Esq. While businesses have been focused on dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, working remotely, educating kids, and figuring out how to return to work safely, new laws will go into effect starting on July 1, 2020 that you need to

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**Part Two of a Four-Part Series: Click Here for Full Series** By Kristina Keech Spitler, Esq. and Brendan F. Cassidy, Esq.  Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. In Part 2, we will address a new law that prohibits employers from inquiring into possession of marijuana for employee applicants, and a law that restricts state agencies and localities when inquiring

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**Part One of a Four-Part Series: Click Here for Full Series** By Kristina Keech Spitler, Esq. and Brendan F. Cassidy, Esq. Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. While businesses have been focused on dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, working remotely, educating kids, and figuring out how to return to work safely, new laws will go into

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Let’s assume that you are the owner of a small business (a corporation or limited liability company) working to obtain a contract for services for the business. You’ve done your research, found a solid services company to work with, negotiated the services and payment details, and are at the conference room table about to sign

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As more and more transactions take place via the internet, it is important for individuals to understand, and be aware of, the liability that may be associated with electronically signing a document. Virginia, like many other states, has adopted the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (“UETA”); see Virginia Code § 59.1-479, et seq. The UETA makes

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The City of Manassas is launching a new small business relief grant program. The City anticipates receiving CARES Act funds from the Federal government which may be used, in part, to provide support for small businesses adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City Council and the Economic Development Authority (EDA) intend to use some

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The Local Government Attorneys of Virginia hired Martin Crim of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian P.C. to draft an amicus curiae brief in the Virginia Supreme Court case of Dumfries-Triangle Rescue Squad v. Board of County Supervisors of Prince William County.  The case started when members of the rescue squad falsified operational records and the County’s Operational Medical Director

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An exit strategy is the method by which a business will transfer ownership (all or only a portion of it) to a third party at some point in the future. This is often memorialized in a company’s Operating Agreement, Bylaws, or other formal and binding contracts, and is typically referred to as a buy-sell agreement

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With a steady increase of reported COVID-19 infections, employers face increased risks regarding their employees’ safety. Risks include potential fines and other penalties from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for violation of the OSHA Act. Employers Have an Obligation Under the OSHA Act, employers have an obligation to “furnish to each of his

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The FFCRA was enacted in response to the Corona virus and, in part, requires all private for-profit and not-for-profit employers with fewer than 500* employees along with government employers (“Covered Employers”) to provide certain paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave to employees. To determine whether the FFCRA is applicable to your business,

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What should you do to best protect your business from litigation arising out of the Covid-19 crisis? Stay up to date.  The federal government is passing a significant number of new laws in response to the crisis, especially related to employment.  Additionally, governors, administrative agencies, and courts are issuing orders changing how a business or

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Who bears the risk if a contract can’t be fulfilled due to a Covid-19 hardship? It is important for businesses to review any existing contracts they believe could be affected by these disruptions.  When reviewing your contracts consider these measures: Identify the “choice of law” or “governing law” provision in the contract. Does the contract

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Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is pleased to announce Jonathan S. Gelber, Esq., formerly of Gelber & Associates, PLLC, has joined our firm. Mr. Gelber comes to Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian, P.C. as Of Counsel with over 35 years of experience and practice in collections and in civil litigation within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Gelber

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In efforts to continue to serve our clients in a safe and CDC compliant manner, we are now offering virtual meetings and consultations. If you are interested in scheduling a virtual consultation or meeting with your attorney, please call 703-369-4738 and one of our legal assistants will schedule a zoom appointment.

By: Kristina Keech Spitler, Esquire FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO, PLEASE VISIT OUR COVID-19 PAGE DOWNLOAD REPORT FOR PRINT Given the fast-paced and changing nature of the impacts of the COVID-19 (Corona Virus) pandemic, businesses are working to respond in the best manner possible for the safety of their employees and customers while

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On Thursday evening February 27, 2020 the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce hosted its 10th Annual Business Awards to honor the best of the local business community. Awards recognize excellence in business, innovative practices, and outstanding contributions to the community and businesses/organizations that stand out among their peers. Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. was

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The law firm of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian would like to congratulate Martin R. Crim for being appointed interim attorney for the town of Leesburg. About Martin Crim Martin is a shareholder at Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, and has been practicing law for over twenty-five years. He currently serves as the Town Attorney for Culpeper, Haymarket,

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Vanderpool, Frostick and Nishanian, P.C. is pleased to announce Brad Marshall has joined our firm. Bradley Marshall joins VF&N as an associate. He brings over a decade of experience as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Prince William County, Virginia. Mr. Marshall is leading the firm’s launch of its Criminal, Traffic and White Collar Defense practice,

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Join us for a free upcoming seminar: Employee Handbooks. Will Yours Make the Grade? February 13th, 2020 Time: 8:30 am –10:00 am Location: Paul Davis training room- 44601 Guilford Dr, Ashburn, VA 20147 Join Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C.’s employment law attorneys Kris Spitler and Brendan Cassidy for a presentation on how to create an

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According to WVTF, Wine Spectator Magazine named Virginia a top world destination for wine lovers to visit, along with places like France, Germany, Spain, and New Zealand so it’s no wonder wineries are popping up all over Virginia. In Northern Virginia, in particular, wineries and breweries have gained popularity because of their access to interstates

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Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is proud to announce that six of its attorneys have been recognized by the Virginia Business Magazine as being among Virginia’s “Legal Elite” within their various practice categories. All of the attorneys named have been nominated as Legal Elite in the past and we’re extremely honored to celebrate their continued success

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February 12th, 2002 Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C.  groundbreaking ceremony of the current VF&N building in Old Town Manassas. Brought to you by the magic of VHS conversion. Mr. Vanderpool speaks to the vision he had for his firm and surrounding community. Paraphrased: Today represents an intersection of two different visions; my vision to create

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Wednesday, Oct. 23rd6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.Centerfuse in Manassas Join VF&N’s litigation attorney Brett Callahan as she presents at the Oct. YPNOVA Success Series Seminar: Avoiding Litigation. Ms. Callahan will cover common mistakes businesses make that can lead to or increase the risk of litigation related to contracts, real estate, employment, intellectual property, business formation, and

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Congratulations to our team of AV Preeminent® attorneys Randolph Frostick, Olaun Simmons, Michael Vanderpool & Kristina Keech Spitler! AV Preeminent® is Martindale-Hubbell’s highest professional achievement, a designation trusted worldwide by buyers and referrers of legal services. Litigation | Randolph Frostick rated 4.7/5.0 Read reviews here Municipal and Land Use | Olaun Simmons rated 4.9/5.0 Read

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In our first blog post on the 2019 Virginia proffer legislation, we told you what hasn’t changed with the new law. As promised, now we will address what has changed. Myth: Under the new law, localities have no liability exposure for unreasonable demands unless the governing body requests one in writing, so planning staff can

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  Eighth Annual Employment Law and HR SummitVision 2020: The Future of HR   Friday, October 11, 2019 – 8:00am-5:00pm Foxchase Manor: 8310 Chatsworth Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20109   REGISTER HERE    As a human resource professional, business owner, executive, manager or administrative personnel tasked with dealing with HR issues, you need to stay on

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In a press release by the Australian Minister for Defence; issued March 06, 2019 it was announced that “the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will receive a new sovereign air transportable Submarine Rescue Service capability under a contract with Phoenix International (Australia).” Attorney Christopher Collins speaks to the proposal efforts, the due diligence performed to vet

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ICE Agents have been active recently in the Prince William area and other parts of the VA/DC/MD metropolitan area, investigating businesses (especially small and medium companies) to determine compliance with properly completing and retaining I-9 forms.  Employers in industries involving construction, restaurants, landscaping, and janitorial/cleaning services are frequently (but by no means the only) targets

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Pictured above: VF&N land use and zoning attorney, Karen Cohen, with legendary engineer, Sid Dewberry, PE, LS, Chairman Emeritus, Dewberry, Kat Grimsley, Director of the MS Real Estate Development program at George Mason University, and the team of book contributors, celebrating the publication of the third in a series of land development books by industry-leading

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The commercial real estate and property sector in Northern Virginia and Prince William County has experienced fluctuations in recent years which resulted in vacant buildings. For the owners of these properties, they’re left with a tough decision – let the property stay vacant or repurpose the property. Repurposing property is using a building differently than

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Michael Vanderpool, Esq., founder of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. (VF&N) and a highly regarded community leader, will receive the 2019 Leadership Prince William Vision Award. This award honors an individual in Prince William County whose innovative, strategic or bold leadership has had a positive and significant impact on the community. Past award recipients have

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The government directs 23% of its procurement to small businesses from local, state & federal agencies, large primes and military installations. But some contracts are just too large for many to handle alone. When this is the case, small businesses can team up with one or more other businesses to collectively perform the contract. Learn

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As attorneys and self-proclaimed Proffer Professors, we were concerned by what we were hearing from the industry on the recent proffer reform. Blanket statements like, “oh, it’s just a repeal of the 2016 law” or “proffer schedules are legal now”.  In this post, we clear the air of misconceptions. Myth: The 2019 law repealed the

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Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. (VF&N) welcomes Robert Zelnick, Esq. to the firm’s civil litigation practice group. Mr. Zelnick is a highly respected litigator with over 43 years of experience in Northern Virginia. Robert (Zel) joins VF&N as Of Counsel departing his private practice, Zelnick & Associates, P.C. located in Lakeridge, VA.  He was the

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According to a recent article, the Virginia town of Blacksburg received $27,000 in taxes for four months of Airbnb rentals after it signed an agreement with the vacation rental company. Sounds like a win for localities, right? VF&N’s municipal attorney Martin Crim says differently. “Blacksburg is getting $6750 per month in transient occupancy taxes from

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Since its controversial passage in 2016, Virginia’s Proffer Reform Law has continued to stir debate. Despite the rift between homebuilders and local governments over the law, efforts are underway to find common ground. Initially, opponents of the law sought either outright repeal or additional exemptions to make the law inapplicable to certain parts of the

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by Guy R. Jeffress, Esq. The Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 853, which took effect on October 1, 2018, that added the following text to Section 3-507.2 of the Maryland Code, Labor & Employment: In an action brought under subsection (a) of this section, a general contractor on a project for construction services is

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Special Use Permit is Invalid On Sept. 10th, 2018, Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Carroll Weimer, Jr. ruled in favor of a group of homeowners, voiding the grant of a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a cell phone tower. Under the legal representation of Brett A. Callahan of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian P.C. litigation [...]

In response to recent tech industry expansions and the resulting attraction of technology subcontractors and suppliers to the area, Vanderpool, Frostick, and Nishanian, P.C. (VF&N) announces the formation of its Technology Subcontractors and Suppliers Legal Team to support the needs of this industry. With stringent work requirements such as clean room construction, specialized semiconductor materials

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Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian, P.C. together with Prince William SHRM, Inc. are pleased to invite you to attend the 7th Annual Employment Law & HR Summit. XPLORE HR: Navigating the Road Ahead October 12, 2018 ~ 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Foxchase Manor, 8310 Chatsworth Drive, Manassas, VA 20109 Being informed about changes in the

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Many states have simplified the process of forming a business entity. In many jurisdictions the formation of a limited liability company or “LLC” can be completed either on-line or by filing a single page form along with the payment of a filing fee. Although the filing of the formation documents is quite easy there are

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VF&N’s attorneys Martin Crim, Neal Knudsen, and Kris Spitler, in conjunction with the Prince William County Bar Association and the amazing social services teams of Manassas City and Manassas Park, joined together to celebrate the achievements of local youth who have come in contact with the Prince William County juvenile justice system. These young adults have

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Being a good leader of your company includes correctly identifying and addressing sexual harassment in the current culture of #MeToo and #Time’sUp. Below are eight steps any business should consider when reviewing their sexual discrimination policies and risk management. Company leadership makes a visible commitment to addressing sexual harassment Ensure you & your entire management

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Join our very own Kristina Keech Spitler, Esq. and special guest, Mindy Weinstein, Acting Director of the EEOC Washington Field Office for a lively presentation for CEOs, CFOs, Presidents, Officers and other leaders in your business on: “Combating Sexual Harassment: Corporate Leadership Strategies” Ms. Spitler and Ms. Weinstein will identify sexual discrimination risks in today’s changing

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We are proud to announce that Michael Vanderpool has been nominated by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce for the Charles J. Colgan Visionary Award. This award, named for Virginia’s longest-serving statesman, recognizes an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership within their organization and the community at large. They are innovative, team players, and advocates

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Local Governments Association appoints Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian municipal attorney Olaun Simmons as LGA Outreach Committee Vice-Chair We are proud to announce that VF&N municipal attorney Olaun Simmons has been appointed by the Local Governments Association (LGA) as Vice-Chair to its Outreach Committee. The LGA Outreach Committee is primarily responsible for planning and arranging the annual

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Welcome back to our ‘Meet the Staff’ series where we are introducing the dedicated staff who work behind the scenes at Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian to make the work our attorneys do for our clients possible! We take pride in our staff and the work they put in to ensure our business runs smoothly, often

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Monza’s Martini Wows at VWAA Retreat Last weekend, VF&N attorneys Brett Callahan, Karen Cohen, and Kris Spitler attended the Virginia Women Attorneys Association (VWAA) annual retreat, where Karen and Kris won the cocktail making competition. Their secret? A little help from our friends over at Monza in Old Town Manassas who taught them the recipe

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MANASSAS—January 2, 2018—Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is pleased to announce that Guy Jeffress has joined the firm as an associate attorney in our Real Estate and Corporate Transactions practice. Jeffress has nearly 20 years of legal experience as both private practice and as in-house counsel in Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. About Guy Jeffress

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Welcome to the Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian, P.C. 2017 Review - here you can find a snapshot of some of our firm's biggest news, events, and posts from 2017! 200 attend 6th Annual Employment Law Summit VF&N hosted our 6th annual Employment Law Summit in partnership with PWSHRM and the Prince William Chamber of Commerce.  [...]

VF&N Litigation Attorney Randolph D. Frostick Wins Case for Effingham Manor Winery This story was reported in full in VA Lawyers’ Weekly (login required). The Case The conversion of the 18th century historic estate, Effingham Manor, into a winery caused a stir among residential neighbors who claimed that the winery breached the community’s 2004 development covenants

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Forming a company? When forming a company or changing the organization of your current business, it is important to know the different options available to you. The legal entity that you are operating will determine what tax structure you will comply with and your legal liability as a business owner, among other things. This post

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As our society becomes increasingly litigious, individuals and entities are seeking to avoid the costly, public, and time intensive process of a law suit. As a result, interest in mediation and arbitration has also increased. So what is the difference between the two? This post will give an overview of the similarities and differences between

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In this blog series, we are introducing the VF&N staff who work behind the scenes to make the work our attorneys do for our clients possible. They are legal assistants, bookkeepers, receptionists, and office managers (and marketing directors!). If you’ve ever wondered about the inner workings of our firm, we are pulling back the curtain

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Thinking about renting your home on Airbnb? Make sure to check your local laws! Local laws and regulations often fail to keep up with the speed of market innovation, leaving jurisdictions scrambling to balance personal liberty and community safety. This is the case with Airbnb and other short term rental sites that allow homeowners to

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VF&N assisted Habitat for Humanity in opening its new ReStore in Woodbridge, VA   At Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian, P.C. community engagement is our priority. Our attorneys and staff are active in a variety of organizations, service groups, and nonprofits both personally and professionally. In this weekly blog series, Community Spotlight, we are highlighting these organizations

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This article was originally written by David Wilks, Estate Planning Attorney with Legacy Law Group of Northern Virginia, a division of Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian, P.C., on November 6, 2017. Importance of Wills and Trusts – and Other Personal Legal Documents One of the key components in planning for your future is establishing the right

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VF&N attorneys Mike Vanderpool, Randy Frostick, and Brett Callahan have each held leadership positions in local Rotary Clubs At Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian, P.C., we value our community ties, and we believe that serving our community extends beyond our professional legal services. Community engagement is a priority, and our attorneys and staff are active in

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Written by Martin Crim and Eileen Settlemyer Zoning for your home business Are you interested in operating a business out of your home? In the digital age, starting a business out of your garage or home office is more common than ever. However, most municipalities have very specific requirements for commercial use of residential property

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VF&N has been a longtime supporter of the arts in Manassas, Virginia At Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian, P.C., we value our community ties, and we believe that serving our community extends beyond our professional legal services. Community engagement is a priority, and our attorneys and staff are active in a variety of organizations, service groups,

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VF&N attorney Martin Crim has been on the Matthew’s Center Board of Directors for 4 years and currently serves as the Vice Chair. At Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian, P.C., we value our community ties, and we believe that serving our community extends beyond our professional legal services. Community engagement is a priority, and our attorneys

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Manassas, VA, October 12, 2017– The law firm of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian wishes to congratulate Prince William land use and real estate attorney Karen Cohen of VF&N on her selection as a George Mason School of Business Prominent Patriot 2017. Each year, George Mason School of Business honors alumni nominated and selected by their

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (August 31, 2017) Prince William Law Firm, Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. hosts free seminar on Religious Institutions and the Law. September 28th, 2017. Manassas, VA, August 31, 2017– The law firm of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C.  is hosting a free seminar September 28, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

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MANASSAS —For most business owners, litigation is a very real threat which can be time consuming, stressful and expensive. It was Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian’s pleasure to have Prince William Civil Litigation attorney Randy Frostick hold a presentation on doing business in a litigious world with an emphasis on how to avoid litigation. The seminar was

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On Wednesday, representatives from the City of Manassas came together with Governor Terry McAuliffe and Buchanan Partners to announce the receipt of grants permitting the construction of a new brewery and restaurant in the commercial development of the Gateway Center, now known as The Landing at Cannon Branch. The attorneys at VF&N are pleased to

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On June 28, 2017, Manassas Litigation Attorney Brett A. Callahan, an attorney at Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. became the sitting president of the Prince William Chapter of the Virginia Women Attorneys Association. Brett has been deeply involved and passionate about the Virginia Women Attorneys Association (VWAA) for the past several years. During her time

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Manassas Business Attorney Michael Vanderpool is not only an attorney, but also an adjunct Professor at the George Mason University School of Business where he teaches the Real Estate Entrepreneurship Masters Program. The law firm of VF&N is proud to say that Michael was awarded the George Mason Faculty of the Year for the Master of

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LGA Spring Conference, April 2017- Martin Crim of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian was one three specialists on a panel discussing social services safety plans. Martin spoke on the topic of the development of future plans that would allow for the government to implement  safety precautions and strategies to prevent children from being removed from their current homes, causing less

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On Tuesday April 4, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce hosted a half day event entitled “Powerful Partnerships” at the Manassas Park Community Center. VF&N Manassas attorneys Kristina Keech Spitler and Karen Cohen were asked to serve as panelists and speakers, touching on the legal considerations for powerful partnerships.  The event focused on developing powerful

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The law firm of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian wishes to congratulate Melissa N. Cupp, of-counsel attorney at VF&N,  on being appointed Fauquier’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court judge. On Thursday, February 23rd, the Virginia General Assembly unanimously elected Melissa to a six year term on the bench.This is the first time a woman will serve

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The law firm of VF&N is proud and honored to have received the Business Excellence Award from the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. VF&N was nominated in the Business Excellence Award category for large businesses, and were awarded this honor during the Chamber Business Awards banquet, held February 28, 2017 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in

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PRINCE WILLIAM, VA — The law firm of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is pleased to announce that its shareholder Martin Crim has been appointed Town Attorney for the town of Middleburg. Middleburg’s former town attorney Angela Plowman gave notice of her intent to resign in December of 2016 after having served almost five years.

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January 19, 2017, Manassas, VA – Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian partnered with Matrix Computer Consulting to give a presentation on Cyber Security from a technological standpoint as well as a legal approach. Business owners from the area gathered at Okra’s Cajun Creole to enjoy breakfast and learn more about how cyber security can have a

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We invite you to join our live webinar! December 9, 2016 1:00-2:00 P.M. EST Your company's generic or outdated employee handbook could put your business in danger of becoming another handbook horror story! When it comes to Employee Handbooks and each of the many policies contained in them, there are a multitude of laws, regulations, and [...]

Seven of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian’s Attorneys Named Virginia Business’ “Legal Elite” Manassas, Fredericksburg & Lakeridge VA, October 30, 2016—Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is proud to announce that seven of its attorneys have been recognized by the Virginia Business Magazine as being among Virginia’s “Legal Elite”. These extraordinary attorneys are chosen based off of

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Manassas, Fredericksburg & Lakeridge VA, October 29, 2016— On October 29, Virginia Lawyers Weekly hosted an awards ceremony honoring several lawyers who have made significant accomplishments or achievements in their field, and two of these outstanding attorneys were our very own Kristina Keech Spitler, and Brett Callahan! The Leaders in the Law awards are given to

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Manassas, Fredericksburg & Lakeridge VA, October 28, 2016-The law firm of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian would like to congratulate Martin R. Crim, of VF&N and the Manassas City Attorney’s Office on the honor of receiving the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia 2016 Special Project Award. According to the press release posted by The Local Government

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Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian together with Prince William SHRM hosted their 5th Annual Employment Law Summit on October 14, 2016, and with nearly 200 attendees, it was a wonderful success! Two of our VF&N attorneys, Kristina Spitler and Brendan Cassidy, presented at the event, as well as EEOC Commissioner Victoria A. Lipnic, Michael Douglas Scott

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On the evening of September 20, 2016, Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian had the honor of sponsoring a historic event where the Old Dominion Bar Association, the Prince William County Bar Association, and the Prince William Chapter of the Virginia Women Attorneys Association came together to present a screening of the documentary “The Loving Story”. The

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MANASSAS—September 2, 2016—Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. announced today that Olaun A. Simmons has joined the firm as the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Manassas in its Municipal practice. Simmons brings more than ten years of experience in the Commonwealth where he worked with clients in a broad range of matters while practicing

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We’re proud to announce that our own Brett Callahan has been honored by the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Magazine with the nomination of one of Virginia’s “Up and Coming Lawyers”. This award is presented to legal practitioners who are being recognized for establishing a name for themselves in the field of law as well as their community. This

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We’re thrilled to announce that our own Kristina Keech Spitler has been selected as one of Virginia Lawyers Media’s “Leaders in the Law” for 2016. This award honors lawyers who are setting a high standard of excellence in the legal field, especially for other lawyers with the Leaders in the Law awards program. Attorneys are recognized

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Manassas, VA – On June 2, 2016, Leadership Prince William awarded Brett Callahan with the certificate of completion of the Leadership Prince William Class of 2016! Leadership Prince William hosts an annual class, comprised of leaders from the business, public and non-profit sectors of the Greater Prince William area. Class members spent ten months learning,

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For many attorneys, the intensity of the court room can add an extra stress factor to an already overwhelming profession. How each person handles the burdens of work is unique to them, but for Robert Beard of Vanderpool, Frostick, & Nishanian, it comes by way of a unique transformation: from lawyer to thespian. Robert Beard

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For Immediate Release: Manassas, VA. — In their most recent issue, “Virginia Lawyers Weekly” named Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian one of Virginia’s largest law firms. The “Largest Law Firms” survey, which has been conducted since 1989, gives an overview of the 75 largest law firms within the commonwealth of Virginia, and is judged based upon the number of partners, associates, of-counsel members and office

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A night of celebration took place when Prince William County Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Business Awards on February 25, 2016. The evening’s event was held at the beautiful Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, VA and featured a brand new legacy award! Each year, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Awards recognizes nominees for excellence

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Seven of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian’s Attorneys Named Virginia Business’ “Legal Elite”!  Manassas, Fredericksburg & Lakeridge VA, Nov 30, 2015—Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C. is proud to announce that seven of its attorneys have been recognized by the Virginia Business Magazine as being among Virginia’s “Legal Elite”. These extraordinary attorneys are chosen based off of

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As a human resource professional, business owner, executive, manager or administrative personnel tasked with dealing with HR issues, you need to be on top of the recent developments in employment law that may impact your business. Being informed will help you avoid costly litigation. This Summit is designed to provide you the information you need

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More details and to register: http://events.pwchamber.org/sbaweb/events/events.asp?details=true&cale_id=1145&month=10/24/2014 Join us at the offices of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, PC in Old Town Manassas for a complimentary networking event featuring hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. RSVP requested.

THIRD ANNUAL EMPLOYMENT LAW SUMMIT Jointly presented by VANDERPOOL, FROSTICK & NISHANIAN, PC and PRINCE WILLIAM SHRM, INC. Prince William Chamber of Commerce, Community Partner Friday, October 3, 2014, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Continental Event Center 9705 Liberia Avenue Manassas, Virginia 20110 As a business owner, executive, employee supervisor or human resources professional, you

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VF&N is proud to be a Leadership Sponsor of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce Annual Legislative Wrap-Up being held on May 15, 2014, at 8:00 a.m. at the Old Hickory Golf Club. During this event, Virginia Senators and Delegates will discuss legislation during the 2013 General Assembly session.

BUY-SELL AGREEMENTS              In today’s business climate, businesses cannot afford to make mistakes.  Yet there is one legal mistake that many small and medium-size businesses often make – they don’t have a buy-sell agreement in place.  This can create several big issues.  For example, without an agreement in place, a business owner may wake up

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1. A “Business Savvy” Will Business men and women have very specialized needs when it comes to wills and estate planning.  We provide advice that integrates business and personal concerns and desires. 2. A “Don’t Steal My Business” Non-Compete Agreement Employee loyalty is not what it used to be and today’s business information is mobile.  This can create

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VF&N Manassas Sponsor for the Chamber State of Prince William VF&N is proud to be the Manassas Partner Sponsor for the State of Prince William luncheon hosted by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce on February 13, 2014, at the Continental Event Center in Manassas.  You can find out more about the luncheon and register

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VF&N congratulates its 2013 Legal Elite Winners, Michael R. Vanderpool – Business Law; Randolph D. Frostick – Civil Litigation and Christopher M. Collins – Intellectual Property.