Greear
CHARLESETON -– Charleston attorney Dan Greear has filed candidacy papers to run for a seat on the Kanawha Circuit Court bench.
Greear, a former House of Delegates member and candidate for state Attorney General, said he has been meeting with leaders across the state since he filed pre-candidacy papers last month. Those meetings, he said, have shown overwhelming support of his bid for a seat on the bench.
"I did not sign up because I thought this would be easy," Greear said of his decision to run. "The citizens of Kanawha County deserve a hard-working judge, and I will work hard to win their confidence.
"I love to campaign and look forward to interacting with the citizens of Kanawha County and listening to their concerns about the judicial system. I am very fortunate to have a loving and supportive family that will be right beside me in this process."
Greear will be going after the seat currently held by Carrie Webster. Webster, a former House of Delegates member and chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee, was appointed to the seat last month by Gov. Joe Manchin after former Circuit Judge Irene Berger was appointed to a federal judgeship by President Obama.
Webster already has filed papers to run for the position. She and Greear are the only candidates who have filed so far.
For more than 17 years, Greear has been practicing law throughout the state of West Virginia and is currently a partner with the Charleston law firm Kesner, Kesner & Bramble.
Greear said he intends to use an aggressive grassroots campaign that will include phone banks, attending community events and going door-to-door in every community in Kanawha County.
Greear said he anticipates strong support in the 30th House District which he previously represented, as well as the 32nd District, traditionally a conservative stronghold. In 2008, Greear nearly unseated career politician Darrell McGraw in the statewide attorney general race; Greear defeated McGraw in Kanawha County by more than 4,000 votes. In 2004, McGraw had defeated his opponent in Kanawha County by a wide margin.
"As I have spoken with local attorneys and individuals who are currently pursuing lawsuits in Kanawha County, there is a great deal of interest in having a judge with extensive litigation experience, as opposed to political connections," Greear said. "In addition to knowledge of the law and legal system, a judge is responsible for managing his or her courtroom and staff; I look forward to comparing my litigation and management experience with my opponent.
"I have been in a leadership position with my law firm for over a decade, which has equipped me with the managerial skills necessary to administrate a courtroom, and I make a conscientious effort to do my job to the best of my ability at all times. I hope and believe I have earned the trust of those around me throughout my life, both personally and professionally."
The Greear campaign already has begun raising money. It also plans to focus on raising money through mailings, business after-hour events and one-on-one meetings.
Last week, the Greear committee launched the fundraising campaign with a successful event hosted by Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants, several local business owners and philanthropists Larry and Lisa Pack.
Greear, 41, is a lifelong native of West Virginia, currently residing in South Charleston with Amy, his wife of 17 years, and the couple's two sons. He has been practicing law for more than 17 years and is currently a partner with the Charleston law firm Kesner, Kesner & Bramble. Greear has successfully tried cases throughout the state of West Virginia in state and federal courts, representing both plaintiffs and defendants.
He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Liberty University with a B.S. in Political Science in 1989 and obtained his law degree from the West Virginia University (WVU) College of Law in 1992 where he graduated third in his class. While a student at the WVU College of Law, Greear was recognized as a member of highly prestigious The Order of the Coif, he received the St. George Tucker Brooke Fellowship and served as the Associate Manuscript Editor of the West Virginia Law Review.
Greear served in the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1995 and 1996, representing the people of Kanawha County in the 30th District. Along with his family, Dan is a lifelong member of Spring Hill Baptist Church where he is a Deacon, Sunday School teacher and youth leader.
