Archive for 'Uncategorized'
Treasury tax break for lawyers bothers leaders
The West Virginia Record
By Chris Dickerson & John O’Brien
July 15, 2010
WASHINGTON — While some are reacting to news that trial lawyers may soon receive a tax break, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is not commenting.
A Treasury spokesperson said Wednesday that the department did not have a comment on a member of the nation’s trial [...]
‘Happy Meals’ lawsuit seems like overkill
The Herald-Dispatch
June 30, 2010
Early in the morning while traveling home from a visit with our family in Boston, I started reading the “Boston Globe.” At first I thought I was sleepy and misreading the headline of an article that stated “Suit will say toys in Happy Meals break the law.”
But as I read The Associated [...]
Judicial reform to be hot topic in January
The Exponent Telegram
By Paul Fallon
December 15, 2009
CLARKSBURG — The regular session of the West Virginia Legislature will begin Jan. 13, and local lawmakers are gearing up for a full 60 days in Charleston.
Senate President Pro Tem Joe Minard, D-Harrison, said the budget is always a hot topic during the legislative session.
“The Legislature’s main function is [...]
Examine Court Plan Carefully
The Intelligencer
November 19, 2009
One of the recommendations made by a special commission set up to examine West Virginia’s court system is puzzling in some ways. It is that the state should establish an intermediate-level appeals court.
Gov. Joe Manchin established the Independent Commission on Judicial Reform earlier this year. It released a set of recommendations a [...]
Exploration of judicial reform warrants the public’s attention
The Herald-Dispatch
August 27, 2009
West Virginia citizens with concerns about the state’s judicial system will have an opportunity in Huntington on Friday to learn more about the issues and offer their opinions on possible solutions.
We encourage them to take full advantage of the occasion, because all of us have a stake in how justice is carried [...]
Recusals
Are requests becoming too commonplace?
The Register-Herald
July 25, 2009
For years, West Virginia was branded as a “judicial hellhole.” And despite reforms that have been made in the state’s civil justice system, the label won’t completely go away.
Now a new term is becoming almost commonplace in court talk — recusal.
And it’s seemingly always linked to Massey Energy [...]
Legal Reforms Would Provide Gateway to Job Growth
The State Journal
July 23, 2009
West Virginia should look to Texas for ideas on how to make effective legal reforms
Commentary by Richie Heath
Job growth is an uphill battle in many parts of our country, but West Virginia continues to lag behind other states due in large part to the unneeded roadblocks of an ailing legal system. [...]
Legal reform vital to W.Va.’s future
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
July 9, 2009
Virginia’s latest number one ranking as the most pro-business state for 2009 serves as yet another reminder that West Virginia has much work to do. While our neighbor to the east appears to be weathering the tough economic times, West Virginia continues to struggle. The latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates show [...]
State courts are a political matter
Charleston Daily Mail
June 12, 2009
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that state Supreme Court candidates who benefit from too much financial support – the court did not specify what amount is toxic – may be presumed to be biased and should not hear cases involving the parties that supported them.
The ruling cheered the critics of [...]
West Virginians can’t win for losing
Charleston Daily Mail
June 9, 2009
The politics of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has more plot twists than “As the World Turns,” and a 5-4 majority of the U.S. Supreme Court just kinked it even further.
The state’s highest court, with employer-hostile decisions and invention of novel causes of aggrievement, added to West Virginia’s [...]
