Archive for 'In The News'
Unfair courts hurt W.Va. businesses
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
April 24, 2009
Your paper’s editorial (“Economic Growth,” April 23, 2009) on Virginia’s recent efforts to attract new jobs should serve as an eye-opening example for West Virginians living just across the border. Even in today’s tough economic times, Virginia remains one of the most attractive states in the nation for jobs. The state’s [...]
Action needed on asbestos reform
The West Virginia Record
April 14, 2009
Dear Editor:
It’s no secret that West Virginia’s unbalanced court system is a favorite place for personal injury lawyers to file thousands of asbestos-related lawsuits, including questionable and downright fraudulent cases. Not surprisingly, our state’s unfortunate rise to “most favored venue” status only adds to the “worst place to do business” [...]
Heath to take helm of WV CALA
The West Virginia Record
April 16, 2009
By Chris Dickerson
CHARLESTON — Charleston native Richie Heath has been named the new executive director of West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse.
Heath replaces Steve Cohen, who has held that role since 2005, effective May 1.
Heath, who has been field director of the statewide organization since 2004, says he is concerned [...]
Judicial Reform Takes a First Step
The State Journal
Apr 09, 2009
Our leaders can improve the state’s reputation as a place to do business by providing employers a sense of predictability in our courts. Gov. Joe Manchin has followed through on his promise in his State of the State Address to examine the state’s judicial system.It is a good first step.
Through an [...]
Veteran justice appointed to W.Va. Supreme Court
The Associated Press
Apr 08, 2009
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Veteran Justice Thomas McHugh was officially sworn in Wednesday to fill the unexpired term of state Supreme Court Justice Joseph Albright, who died last month.McHugh, 73, was sworn in by Chief Justice Brent Benjamin at the state Capitol.
McHugh had previously won terms on the court in 1980 [...]
Manchin Orders Review of State Judicial System
WV Metronews
Apr 04, 2009
Governor Joe Manchin has signed an executive order creating a nine-member panel to “evaluate and recommend reforms” to the state’s judicial system, which has largely been the same for the past 25 years.The governor said in Friday’s five-page order “the estabalishment of an independent commission composed of former jurists, attorneys, academics and [...]
Judges and Recusals
The Washington Post
Mar 12, 2009
Some clarification is in order concerning Robert Barnes’s March 2 Supreme Court reporting ["Case May Define When Judge Must Recuse Self," front page], in which he wrote that “defense lawyers supported” Justice Warren McGraw,” the incumbent defeated in the 2004 West Virginia high court race.Justice McGraw was, in fact, backed by [...]
Examine W.Va. Court System
Wheeling News-Register
Mar 05, 2009
Several questions about West Virginia’s court system have been in the news during the past year. Among them:Should state Supreme Court justices be permitted to sit in judgment on cases involving people or companies who have helped them get elected? Should the state have a better system of appealing decisions by circuit [...]
State’s legal climate does deter business
Charleston Daily Mail
Mar 05, 2009
State’s legal climate does deter businessIn his column in the March 2 Daily Mail, “What do West Virginians owe business?” Dave Peyton asked: “What would it take for us to fill in what they call the ‘judicial hellhole’ in this state?”
I ask: How can a savvy columnist pretend to be unaware [...]
The state’s legal climate does indeed matter
Charleston Daily Mail
Mar 02, 2009
For over a decade, the personal injury lawsuit industry and liberal members of the Legislature told us that lawsuits didn’t cost West Virginia jobs or doctors.Then doctors stopped coming to work because they couldn’t get or afford their medical malpractice insurance.
Fast forward five or so years and Chesapeake Energy is pulling [...]
