Virginia Farm Bureau has announced two October seminars for professionals that serve rural clients. Here are the details from VFB:

Two October seminars are being planned for legal and financial professionals who serve rural landowners and clients with rural enterprises.

The Rural Land and Agribusiness Update will be held Oct. 1 at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel and Oct. 22 at the Wytheville Meeting Center. It is designed for attorneys, foresters, accountants, financial planners, appraisers and professionals in related fields. Read more »

Justice Cynthia Kinser has been selected as the next chief justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia and will become the first woman to hold the position when the court convenes in February.

Reporter Michael Sluss of The Roanoke Times has more on this story.

As Elaine Harnsberger lay seriouly ill in a hospital bed, officials at Carilion Clinic were drafting a lawsuit that seeks to collect more than $350,000 she has accumulated in medial bills since March.

The lawsuit was served on Harnsberger Aug. 9 — while she was still a patient at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Reporter Laurence Hammack of The Roanoke Times has more on this story.

Roanoke businessman Roland “Spanky” Macher today pleaded not guilty to four counts of bankruptcy fraud and one of tax evasion.

Courts reporter Mike Gangloff of The Roanoke Times has more on the story.

Former clients of Roanoke bankruptcy attorney Ann Marie Miller, who paid for work the lawyer never did, will be reimbursed an average of less than 20 cents on the dollar, according to a court order issued this week in Roanoke Circuit Court.

Courts reporter Mike Gangloff of The Roanoke Times has more on this story.

The law firm LeClair Ryan has chosen David C. Freinberg as its next chief executive officer. Here is a press release from LeClairRyan:

As part of LeClairRyan’s strategic management succession plan, the law firm has selected David C. Freinberg, a shareholder in its Newark, N.J. office, to become its next chief executive officer. Freinberg, who had been leader of the firm’s 75-employee Newark office, will officially assume responsibilities as CEO no later than the fall of 2012, following a management transition period. Gary LeClair, the firm’s co-founder, chairman and CEO, will retain his role as chairman once Freinberg’s transition into the CEO role is complete. Read more »

U.S. Attorney Tim Heaphy said he is forming a bankruptcy fraud task force with agents from the IRS and FBI, the day after federal agents arrested Roanoke businessman Roland “Spanky” Macher on charges of bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion.

Courts reporter Mike Gangloff of The Roanoke Times has more on this story.

Russell T. Schundler

Wood Rogers, a law firm with a branch in Roanoke, is opening an office in Charlottesville. Here is a press release from the firm:

Woods Rogers PLC, a full-service law firm serving businesses and individuals across Virginia and elsewhere since 1893, is expanding with the opening of a new office in Charlottesville.

The office, at 100 Tenth St., Suite 303, is led by partner Russell T. (“Rusty”) Schundler, a former Roanoke-based Woods Rogers attorney whose practice areas include mergers and acquisitions, securities and corporate finance. Schundler returns to Woods Rogers after practicing the last three years at McGuire Woods in Charlottesville, and joins W. McIlwaine (“Mac”) Thompson, Jr. and Peter E. Rosden, who also are with Woods Rogers in Charlottesville. Read more »

Roland “Spanky” Macher, an ex-restauranteur, towing magnate, landlord and used furniture seller in Roanoke, was arrested this morning on federal bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion charges.

Courts reporter Mike Gangloff of The Roanoke Times has more on this story.

The Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society is holding a board meeting Sept. 21. Here are the details from the society:

The Board of Directors of Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society will meet at Emory and Henry College, in the Humphries Room, on Tuesday, September 21, 2010.

The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Emory and Henry College is located in Emory, Virginia, just off I-81 Exit 26.

The public is welcome to participate.