Hunton Andrews Kurth Represents City of Richmond in Dismissal of Injunction Barring Removal of Monuments

RICHMOND – September 2, 2020 – Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP represented the City of Richmond on a pro bono basis to obtain the reversal of a temporary injunction barring the City’s removal of its Confederate monuments. The plaintiff, who has remained anonymous throughout the litigation, sought to preserve the monuments and was granted a temporary injunction against further removals in July after Mayor Levar Stoney ordered the removal of the monuments.

On August 26, 2020. the Supreme Court of Virginia vacated the temporary injunction, holding that the plaintiff had failed to allege a viable cause of action and was therefore not entitled to the injunction.

“We are pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision and expect it to affect other similar litigation regarding locally owned monuments,” said Bob Rolfe, the litigation partner who led the matter for Hunton Andrews Kurth. The Hunton Andrews Kurth team also included partners Stuart Raphael and Ed Fuhr, counsel Matt McGuire and associate Matt Brooker.

The case now goes back to the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond where the Hunton Andrews Kurth team will seek its dismissal. The same anonymous plaintiff has filed a second action asking the Supreme Court of Virginia to issue writs of mandamus and prohibition requiring restoration of the statues. Yet a third case has been brought by residents of Monument Avenue in Richmond challenging the statues’ removal. Hunton Andrews Kurth represents the City and its officials pro bono in those cases as well.

“We are glad to be able to support our local and state officials as they make important and challenging decisions affecting our community,” added Doug Granger, managing partner of the firm’s Richmond office. “We have participated in the resolution of many important legal issues affecting Richmond and the surrounding area over the years. We are proud to be part of Richmond’s continuing evolution.”