Westlake Legal Group

11/27/2023

Hello,

I am reaching out because I think you can help. Three years ago, I joined the Board of Directors of A Farm Less Ordinary (“AFLO”), a Loudon-based non-profit that works with adults in the ID/DD area. ID/DD means “intellectual disabilities/developmental disabilities” and is the term describing situations in which intellectual disability and other disabilities are present. Examples of these disabilities include autism, behavior disorders, brain injury, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, intellectual disability, and spina bifida.

Most notably, there is a significant number of adults with ID/DD in our community and they struggle to find meaningful work and activity that helps them gain confidence that they are vital to our communities. Some have to overcome the inability to even shake hands with others.

Recognizing that all people have inherent value and the desire to learn and excel, AFLO provides job and skill training through the operation of two farms in Loudoun County. AFLO teaches people to GROW FOOD and to prepare food, and to sell food. AFLO provides a vehicle for those in the ID/DD community to learn life skills and to graduate to more productive lives. For some of the growers, making change at a farmers’ market when selling beans is a major accomplishment.

This past year, AFLO employed 30 growers with ID/DD on the farms. However, the farms and AFLO’s operations still need the support of our larger community. This is why I am writing.

November 28th is . I am asking your help so that AFLO can continue to change lives. I am asking you to go to AFLO’s website here:
https://www.afarmlessordinary.org Learn about the organization.

On Tuesday, I am asking you to sponsor a grower. I don’t care if it’s $10/month, $25/month, $50/month, or $100/month. I am just asking for your participation. Help me help those in the ID/DD community realize their potential and underscore their value as humans and participants in our community.

Go here to give:
https://afarmlessordinary.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/12871

If you can’t give monthly, I would appreciate some gift. No gift is too small. Every dollar raised becomes a paycheck for someone with an intellectual or developmental disability. $25/month employs a grower for a week. Help me help them. Together we can change lives.

If you don’t want to wait until Tuesday, click on the link NOW.

I thank you in advance for recognizing the value of our disabled neighbors and for joining me in the effort to enhance their lives.

Respectfully,

Tom Plofchan

02/27/2023

11/25/2020

11/06/2020

I personally don’t see an equal protection argument in the Constitutional challenges to the voting process because the language of the Constitution specifically gave certain powers to the states and certain powers to the Feds. For example, as I mentioned above, Congress can enact laws regarding the elections. For the military, it is covered under https://www.justice.gov/crt/uniformed-and-overseas-citizens-absentee-voting-act. However, For the most part, states can decide their absentee and voter laws. However, the argument is that in doing so they have to act within the Limits set by Congress, which has declared the first Tuesday in November to be the day for voting. Thus, much of the argument is definitional. Are votes postmarked on the 3rd valid? Do they have to be received by the 3rd? What does it mean to have the election on the first Tuesday? Those are the questions. As commented above, it more akin to a supremacy argument. Interesting to note that some states have viewed that the election had to be complete on the first Tuesday and shaped their absentee laws to reflect that. Thus, in Virginia all absentees had to have been postmarked a week earlier. It is an interesting legal question that will likely be decided by SCOTUS.

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11/06/2020

Framing the state v federal right to control the manner of election

Article 1, Section 4 states: The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

Article I sec 2 states: the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

Thus state legislatures proscribe the means of electing senators, reps. And Electors are elected in the same manner as the most populous state house chamber.

Article 1, section 8 seems to give power to Congress to set other laws for elections: To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Ex*****on the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

With regard to the President, article II, section 1 states: The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

Thus there is argument that a state cannot have late ballots unless that is permitted by federal law. Because though they choose the qualifications for electors because they choose how their house is elected, the Fed’s choose the time and place of election.

11/06/2020

The second video in the Virk case

10/11/2020

Words from people I trust.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/10/11/alleged-plot-michigan-isnt-an-anomaly-domestic-terrorism-threat-is-rising/

Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are focused on domestic terrorism threats.

10/10/2020

Tom Plofchan’s recent interview on the Virk case

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikb1koCAOmo

The Virk Case (lawyer stepped back and jailed) handled by Attorney Thomas Plofchan should be studied closely by all attorneys practicing law in the Commonwea...

05/21/2020

The SBA has issued official guidance on the allowance of borrowers to claim forgiveness on their Paycheck Protection Program Loans. According to the guidance, at least 75% of the loan must be spent on payroll costs. Click the link to see the detailed guidance:

https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-07672/p-90

T K Plofchan Jennifer Guida Jackie Kramer Jessica Elizabeth McCollum Mason Dalman

This interim final rule announces the implementation of sections 1102 and 1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act or the Act). Section 1102 of the Act temporarily adds a new product, titled the ``Paycheck Protection Program,'' to the U.S. Small Business...

05/06/2020

https://www.wsj.com/articles/law-firms-gear-up-for-expected-jump-in-bankruptcies-triggered-by-coronavirus-11588766411?emailToken=e2bf79ac974ef655ecdf4d2f428146cco0kuVQGk9iX5HhIy4DmiX2exIEXhhvGlsFiEHbRojs+qv9Vj9bn6QMr6ebcKXdZrKpMFCCpLkPa9iUUXDVwzip+mGjF+9OvyAa4aul7f/sUwox6DWhbKSgfoJH918qh5PhSJsIeCy6Kn8aFlEDWH7Q%3D%3D&reflink=article_imessage_share

Practices whose ranks have been thinned by a decade of economic growth are preparing for a wave of business collapses triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

04/29/2020

As many of us are currently at home with our families, and thinking about our loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic, now is a perfect opportunity to review your will, trust, power of attorney, and other estate planning documents. Don’t have any estate planning documents? Attorneys at Westlake Legal Group would be happy to meet with you via Zoom and discuss your family’s specific needs and situation. Having an estate plan in place is especially important in the following situations:
• You have children under the age of 18—Who will act as their guardian?
• Blended families—especially when there are children from prior relationships
• You are recently married, divorced, or widowed
• You want to put provisions in place for you end-of-life care
• You want specific individuals to act on your behalf to carry out your healthcare wishes
• You have assets (money, real estate, etc.) that would need to be distributed after you pass away

Every family situation is unique, and Westlake Legal Group will design an estate plan tailored to your needs and wishes. Please contact us at 703-406-7616 to schedule a consultation.

T K PlofchanJennifer GuidaJackie KramerJessica Elizabeth McCollumNassir Aboreden Mason Dalman

04/29/2020

Stealing, to quote Tammy Glaser, cuz it’s “clever”:

04/28/2020

Yesterday, Judge Yeatts of the Lynchburg Circuit Court enjoined Governor Northam from enforcing part of the executive order.
Much of the argument uses a statutory analysis Tom Plofchan identified after the first three Executive Orders. Albeit, Judge Yeatts' conclusion does not rest solely on a state constitutional analysis because it incorporates the statutory carve out for the right to bear arms. However, the initial approach is solid. This opinion demonstrates that there is rife legal and academic support for the proposition that the Executive Orders are illegal and unenforceable, at least in part. Judge Yeatts' opinion does not provide an advisory opinion on all future cases. Again, it is Tom's opinion that one can obtain public cooperation without creating precedent for curtailing or eliminating civil and Constitutional rights.

To view the opinion, click the link below:
https://freebeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LynchburgRangevNorthamOrder.pdf

04/27/2020

Jackie Kramer, an attorney at Westlake Legal Group, is also a Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Ashburn's Annual Flags for Heroes Memorial Day Event is fast approaching. The Flags are displayed in front of the One Loudoun sign on Route 7. This year the Rotary will have drone video of the ceremony posted on Facebook on Memorial Day to promote social distancing.

Last year, Rotary’s Flags for Heroes focused on honoring veterans. This year, in light of COVID-19, the Rotary Club is expanding the scope to include other heroes along with veterans, such as first responders and medical professionals.

Support for this cause would be much appreciated. Proceeds benefit the Ashburn Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that supports student scholarships and charitable endeavors here in Loudoun County. Please see the Flags for Heroes website for more information. Cost is $50 per flag.

https://ashburnva-flagsforheroes.square.site/

For those that wish to write a check, they can be mailed to RCOA Foundation PO BOX 392 Ashburn, VA 20146. Please write your check out to the Rotary Club of VA Foundation. Your contributions are tax deductible.

Flags will be up at One Loudoun May 23rd through June 10th.

Please consider sponsoring a Flag in honor of your favorite veteran, first responder, or medical professional.

Mason Dalman, T K Plofchan, Nassir Aboreden, Jennifer Guida, Jessica Elizabeth McCollum

04/24/2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals are struggling financially and are wondering what options they may have. Westlake Legal Group has prepared a PowerPoint that addresses some basics in Bankruptcy. Click the link to view the slideshow.

https://westlakelegal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Bankruptcy-The-Basics.pdf

Mason Dalman, T K Plofchan, Jennifer Guida, Nassir Aboreden, Jackie Kramer, Jessica Elizabeth McCollum, Kelly Carpenter Cook, Tanya Frye.

04/24/2020

While the courts are closed to the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, exceptions to these closures include the requests and hearings for Protective Orders. Westlake Legal Group has put together a power point that outlines the general process and benefits of a protective order, click the link below to view the slideshow.

https://westlakelegal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Protective-Orders-PSA.pdf

Jessica Elizabeth McCollum, Jennifer Guida, Nassir Aboreden, T K Plofchan, Jackie Kramer, Mason Dalman

04/16/2020

For those with federal student loans, there is relief! Provisions of the CARES Act are designated to assist those with federal student loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Take a look at the slideshow created by Mason Dalman of Westlake Legal Group to learn more.
https://westlakelegal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Student-Loan-Provisions-of-the-CARES-ACT.pdf

Jennifer Guida, Jackie Kramer, Nassir Aboreden, T K Plofchan, Jessica Elizabeth McCollum