News & Announcements
The latest updates and insights from the team at Kramer Elias.
Virginia’s New Non-Compete Law: What Employers Need to Know for 2027
Non-competition agreements are important to professional relationships. For employers, they can serve as an important tool for protecting an organization’s place in the market. A well-written non-competition agreement can also provide context and a path forward for employees planning their next career move.
AI and Real Estate: 3 Takeaways on Property Value
AI can scan real estate data in seconds, but it can't replace the legal framework that governs property value. Here are three things buyers and sellers in Virginia should keep in mind.
All Four Firm Partners Named to “Top Lawyers” List
All four Kramer Elias Partners were recently named to Northern Virginia Magazine’s 2026 Top Lawyers’ List and are featured in the September 2026 version of the Magazine, on newsstands now.
Back to School: 3 Critical Employee Leave Considerations and Tips
For many businesses and organizations, fall and winter are “busy seasons.” The lull of summer is gone, and demands pick up. For employees with children, autumn also means the return of school and many scheduling obligations (along with the increased spread of germs). Employees without children can also face an uptick in personal issues in fall and winter, given increased illness and family obligations.
Challenging Real Estate Development Decisions: 3 Takeaways from a Recent Court Decision
Zoning laws govern almost every aspect of property use and require significant governmental involvement and approval. Most jurisdictions provide the ability to contest a zoning decision via litigation. In Virginia, parties able to demonstrate particularized harm can contest both the approval or denial of a zoning application. The Virginia Court of Appeals recently reviewed the standard for contesting zoning approvals in the July decision Pendleton House Limited Dividend Housing Associates LP v. City Council for the City of Alexandria et al. (July 7, 2026).
Independent Contractors or Employees? What to Know About the July 1st Law Change
Organizations are fueled by people. Certain businesses rely on independent contractors (also known as 1099s) to help get work done. These individuals can range from bookkeepers who produce reports to IT teams that are engaged for computer issues.
Unfortunately, management’s intent in classifying workers is largely immaterial for purposes of liability. Employee classification is a fact-intensive analysis that requires compliance with both federal and state requirements. Earlier this year, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it plans to rescind the 2024 Independent Contractor Rule (still in effect) that governs the classification of workers on the federal level.
Time Limits for Private Property Claims: Three Takeaways from a Recent Court Decision
Deadlines are important in all areas of life. In the legal context, the required timeframe for a party to act is known as the statute of limitations. For Land Use claims, a failure to act before the end of the statute of limitations could mean never recovering for the loss or damage to private property (or being subject to a significant judgment affecting personal assets).
Employee Leave: Best Practices in Light of Recent Legislative Actions
Kramer Elias attorney Theodora Stringham recently presented a comprehensive overview of these new and forthcoming requirements, including key deadlines, benefit calculations, employer obligations, and practical best practices for policy adoption.
Kramer Elias Partner Named to Super Lawyers’ List
Kramer Elias Partner Alfredo Acin was recently named to Virginia’s Super Lawyers’ list for his exceptional contributions to the legal community. The Super Lawyers’ designation is only awarded to 5% of all attorneys in every state.
Virginia Employment Law 2026: Six Critical Updates
What we do for work is important and impacts our health, well-being, and financial security. The workplace is ultimately shaped by Employment laws, which define what is prohibited and permitted in the employment relationship.
Job Termination and Severance Agreements: Three Tips Based on Recent Legislation
Starting a new job is typically a hopeful time. Both management and the employee look forward to a “fresh start” from whatever came before. However, the end of the employment relationship is typically less agreeable and more difficult.
Kramer Elias Sponsors 50th Anniversary FBA Bench Bar Dinner Dance
Kramer Elias was proud to sponsor and attend the 2026 Fairfax Bar Association (FBA) Bench Bar Dinner Dance. The event celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the FBA, the largest local bar association in Virginia with over 2,200 members.
Kramer Elias’ Intersection of Condemnation and Landlord Tenant Law Featured in Virginia State Bar Journal
Kramer Elias’ condemnation and leasing background featured by the Virginia State Bar. Theodora Stringham’s article “Condemnation Clauses in Leases: Three Frequently Asked Questions from Real Estate Practitioners,” featured as part of Virginia State Bar’s “Fee Simple” Journal.
Kramer Elias Attorneys Selected as part of Virginia Business Magazine’s “Legal Elite” List
Kramer Elias Firm Partners Theodora Stringham and Mazin Elias were recently named to Virginia Business Magazine’s 2026 “Legal Elite” list for their work in the Real Estate and Land Use practice area.
Is Your Contract Valid? Three Tips Based on a Recent Court Decision
Agreements are an integral part of our lives. Everything from our cell phone service to our dry cleaning involves some form of agreement. Many agreements, however, can be more nuanced and may result in a breach by another party. When this occurs, an individual or business may risk dire losses.