This summary is not the rule. The rule text controls.
Virginia does not have a rule that matches this one. Many states have a rule that explains what happens when a junior lawyer follows instructions from a senior lawyer at their firm. That rule usually says a junior lawyer is not off the hook just because a boss told them to do something. But it also says a junior lawyer is not in trouble if they followed a reasonable interpretation of the rules, even if it turns out to be wrong.
Since Virginia skipped this rule, there is no specific guidance here about how much protection junior lawyers get when they follow orders from supervisors. Lawyers practicing in Virginia need to look at other rules and general legal principles to figure out their responsibilities in these situations.
If you are working with a law firm in Virginia and have concerns about how decisions get made between senior and junior lawyers on your case, you may need to ask directly about who is responsible for what. The usual rule that spells this out does not apply here.
