Archive for July, 2009
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. [...]
CALA: Berger’s replacement an important decision
West Virginia Record
By Justin Anderson
July 14, 2009
CHARLESTON — A non-profit legal advocacy group is calling on Gov. Joe Manchin to choose wisely in naming a replacement for Kanawha Circuit Judge Irene Berger, who was nominated to fill a federal court vacancy.
West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse said Manchin must be careful in picking [...]
Quick Draw McGraw
West Virginia Record
July 10, 2009
How’s this for a deal: You win the lottery and we spend the money?
Doesn’t seem quite fair, does it? That’s essentially the deal state Attorney General Darrell McGraw is trying to foist off on the people of West Virginia.
Acting on behalf of the state, McGraw has settled lawsuits against major drug [...]
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 [...]
Interest peaks for Berger’s seat on bench
Charleston Daily Mail
By Cheryl Caswell
July 10, 2009
CHARLESTON, W.Va.–Interest in a possible vacancy on the Kanawha Circuit Court is building again, now that Judge Irene Berger has been nominated for a federal position.
Berger, who knew she was being considered as a replacement for U.S. District Judge Dave Faber in West Virginia’s Southern District, was [...]
Lawmaker wants PEIA to ask for Oxy money
West Virginia Record
By John O’Brien
July 9, 2009
CHARLESTON — Before a state agency starts making budget cuts, one West Virginia lawmaker wants it to inquire about money that he feels it may be owed from state Attorney General Darrell McGraw’s controversial 2004 OxyContin settlement.
Del. Jonathan Miller (R-Berkeley) recently submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to [...]
