• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Parks Zeigler, PLLC - Attorneys At Law

Elizabeth City, NC 252-679-8880
Virginia Beach, VA 757-453-7744
Chesapeake, VA 757-312-0211
Roanoke, VA 540-299-5299

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Legal Services
    • Individuals
      • Family Law
      • Personal Injury
        • Car Accidents
        • Motorcycle Accidents
        • Truck Accidents
        • Pedestrian Accidents
        • Bicycle Accidents
        • Bedbug Injury
      • Medical Malpractice
      • Criminal Defense
      • DUI/DWI Defense
      • Traffic Defense
      • Wills, Trusts and Estates
      • Mediation
      • Civil Litigation
      • Credit Reporting Disputes
    • Businesses
      • Small Business Representation
      • Business Litigation
      • Local Counsel
      • Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
  • About Our Firm
    • Our People
    • Our Guarantees
    • Recognitions and Awards
    • Community Involvement
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Client Reviews
  • Results
  • Free Info
    • FAQs
      • Credit Reporting Disputes
      • Family Law
      • Personal Injury
      • Wills, Trusts and Estates
      • Ask An Attorney Your Legal Questions
    • News
    • Videos
    • Resources
    • Books & Guides
    • Blog
      • Civil Litigation
      • Credit Reporting
      • Criminal Defense
      • Family Law
      • Personal Injury
      • Traffic Defense
      • Wills, Trusts and Estates
      • Cybersecurity
      • Small Business
      • Oliver The Service Dog
      • General
    • Newsletters
    • Recipes
  • Client Login
  • Contact
  • Locations
    • Virginia Beach, VA
    • Chesapeake, VA
    • Roanoke, VA
    • Elizabeth City, NC
  • Home
  • Legal Services
    • Individuals
      • Family Law
      • Personal Injury
        • Car Accidents
        • Motorcycle Accidents
        • Truck Accidents
        • Pedestrian Accidents
        • Bicycle Accidents
        • Bedbug Injury
      • Medical Malpractice
      • Criminal Defense
      • DUI/DWI Defense
      • Traffic Defense
      • Wills, Trusts and Estates
      • Mediation
      • Civil Litigation
      • Credit Reporting Disputes
    • Businesses
      • Small Business Representation
      • Business Litigation
      • Local Counsel
      • Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
  • About Our Firm
    • Our People
    • Our Guarantees
    • Recognitions and Awards
    • Community Involvement
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Client Reviews
  • Results
  • Free Info
    • FAQs
      • Credit Reporting Disputes
      • Family Law
      • Personal Injury
      • Wills, Trusts and Estates
      • Ask An Attorney Your Legal Questions
    • News
    • Videos
    • Resources
    • Books & Guides
    • Blog
      • Civil Litigation
      • Credit Reporting
      • Criminal Defense
      • Family Law
      • Personal Injury
      • Traffic Defense
      • Wills, Trusts and Estates
      • Cybersecurity
      • Small Business
      • Oliver The Service Dog
      • General
    • Newsletters
    • Recipes
  • Client Login
  • Contact
  • Locations
    • Virginia Beach, VA
    • Chesapeake, VA
    • Roanoke, VA
    • Elizabeth City, NC
Call
Contact
Blog

Obtain local counsel with experienced Parks Zeigler attorneys

Why is local counsel helpful to out-of-state attorneys? 

Hampton Roads is comprised of 10 independent cities and 6 counties. Each has their own Court system with a bevy of local rules that materially differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Further Virginia has its own set of Rules of Civil Procedure that do not mirror the FRCP in any way.  The following are but a few examples of what makes practicing in Virginia and Hampton Roads specifically unique:

  • If you file your answer to a suit filed in a Virginia Circuit Court 30 days after being served, as allowed by FRCP, your client will be in default by 9 days according to the Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure.  
  • The Code of Virginia has some very unique aspects such as the Plaintiff may take a “nonsuit” at any time (with some restrictions).  A nonsuit allows the plaintiff to voluntarily dismiss their case, without prejudice, one time as a matter of right – even after you have presented your entire defense and all of your witnesses and experts have been cross examined.  
  • Norfolk Circuit Court is the most user friendly and getting a hearing can be accomplished quickly but they are the outlier and not the norm. 
  • Virginia Beach Circuit Court has an open Friday docket where any motion can be address but your entire presentation on all your motions is limited to 30 minutes.  
  • There is a judge that required that jury trials in his Courtroom start at 9 a.m. when the starting time for bench trials or jury trial before other Judges of the Court is 9:30 a.m.  This deviation is not written down anywhere (and that Judge is always on time). 
  • Chesapeake Circuit Court does not hear trials on Wednesdays. If your trial starts on Tuesday and does not finish it will be carried over to Thursday unless you request a substitute Judge to hear the trial which requires a request in advance.  
  • Hampton Circuit Court will not allow a hearing on a motion until the scope and purpose of the hearing has been cleared by the judge assigned to the case. (And except in exceptional circumstances, you will not have a judge assigned to a case in Virginia Beach Circuit Court so your discovery motions, the pre-trial conference and the trial will all be presided over by different judges of that Court). 

If all of this was confusing and overwhelming, we have only highlighted a few of the differences and distinctions that occur in our various courts – there are literally volumes more.  And we did not mention the many local federal rules when practicing in the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA). 

Filing in the Eastern District of Virginia is subjecting your case to what is nationally known as the “Rocket Docket,” a rightfully earned title that describes the very speedy processing of cases in the Eastern District of Virginia.  The history behind the title “Rocket Docket” goes back to the 1960s, when Judge Albert Bryan, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia kickstarted the effort to rapidly push the cases through the system. Back in that day, the court would often make an immediate decision upon the conclusion of oral arguments.

Though that process has thankfully been curbed, the EDVA is known for its tight scheduling and relatively inflexible deadlines. It is very common to have a case to trial (yes, jury trial also) within 10-11 months from filing of the suit. At the scheduling conference (usually 2-4 months after filing suit), the Court Clerk will not allow the trial to be set out more than 6 months from the conference date. And you have a better chance of finding water in the Sahara than getting the case continued once set (with clear exceptions being made when someone from your firm presents and authenticates your recent obituary).  

Knowing these rules, customs, and practices can bring a real advantage to your client. The attorneys at Parks Zeigler regularly and ably serve out-of-state attorneys in Virginia State and in Federal Courts. 

How is local counsel helpful to out-of-state attorneys? 

At Parks Zeigler, our attorneys are well versed in EDVA procedural rules and have experience in both Virginia federal and state courts, at both trial and appellate levels. We ensure that when we serve as local counsel, we work efficiently in compliance with local order, rules, customs, and practice. 

Seasoned EDVA plaintiffs understand the speed of the “Rocket Docket” and will come well prepared by lining up support for their case— they use the speed of the district to their advantage. Those who are unaware of the way the “Rocket Docket” operates will be at a serious disadvantage at trial, which is why we highly recommend seeking out skillful legal counsel in the EDVA, like the knowledgeable attorneys at Parks Zeigler. 

We understand and are well-versed in the unique nature of the various state courts rules and processes.   We regularly participate in the journey that is known as the “rocket-docket”. We view our role as local counsel as an opportunity to help your legal team navigate the nuances of the Commonwealth’s procedural rules and work in the best interest of their clients. 

Ready to retain the legal help your team needs? Contact the experienced attorneys at Parks Zeigler to book a free case evaluation to discuss local counsel in the EDVA. 

Call us at 888-691-9319 to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced attorneys or fill out a quick form to get more information on how we can help you today!

Primary Sidebar

Get Started Now

Let Us Help! Call us on 888-691-9319 or fill out this quick form and we will contact you within 24 hours!
Name(Required)
Agree(Required)
Sign Up To Receive Our Newsletter
* Required
Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Latest Blog

Know Your Rights Under The Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act

January 5, 2023

What Business Owners Need to Know About Virginia’s New Consumer Data Protection Act

January 4, 2023

What You Need to Know Now About Probation in Virginia

November 22, 2022

View More Blogs

Client Testimonials

"I appreciate your due diligence on this matter. Your support and services are greatly appreciated and I’m happy with the outcome. I have to say, your..."

PH

"Parks Zeigler, PLLC provided the greatest experience I could have ever imagined! Everyone involved was very respectful, knowledgeable, kind, and understanding..."

Rudy G.

"This was my first time every having to get an attorney, and Parks Zeigler, PLLC was the best choice I made. Because of Parks Zeigler, PLLC, I was able to start..."

K. Townend

View More Testimonials

Our Library

  • Posted on 07/22/2020
    Wrongful Death Attorneys in Virginia
  • Posted on 06/18/2020
    Virginia Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyer
  • Posted on 07/03/2019
    Acquired Brain Injuries can greatly impact your life
View Library

Footer

Contact Us

Let Us Help! Call us at 888-691-9319 or fill out this quick form and we will contact you within 24 hours!
Name(Required)
Agree(Required)
Sign Up To Receive Our Newsletter
* Required
Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Parks Zeigler, PLLC
Virginia Beach Office

  • 4768 Euclid Road, Suite 103
    Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462-3810
  • 757-453-7744
  • 757-453-7578
Directions

Parks Zeigler, PLLC
Chesapeake Office

  • 524 Albemarle Drive, Suite 200
    Chesapeake, Virginia 23322-5500
  • 757-312-0211
  • 757-453-7578
Directions

Parks Zeigler, PLLC
Roanoke OFFICE

  • 25 Church Ave SW
    Roanoke, Virginia 24011-2010
  • 540-299-5299
  • 540-299-5295
Directions

Parks Zeigler, PLLC
Elizabeth City Office

  • 201 East Elizabeth Street
    Elizabeth City, NC 27209
  • 252-679-8880
  • 252-254-1380
Directions
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2023 Parks Zeigler, PLLC – Attorneys At Law All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission Privacy Policy