Jessica M. Karmasek News
Panel denies officials' motion for stay of ruling in redistricting suit
King CHARLESTON - A federal panel on Tuesday denied a motion by a group of West Virginia officials asking for an immediate stay of a ruling issued last week in a congressional redistricting lawsuit.
Monsanto trial could start next week
WINFIELD - A spokeswoman for the state Supreme Court of Appeals says a class action lawsuit filed against Monsanto and related companies over its old plant in Nitro could go to trial in Putnam County next week.
Clawges enters order denying Big East's motion to dismiss
Clawges MORGANTOWN - A Monongalia Circuit Court judge this week released the order in which he denied the Big East Conference's motion to dismiss West Virginia University's lawsuit against it last month.
Auto parts recyclers tell McGraw to stop using term 'junkyard parts'
McGraw CHARLESTON - The Automotive Recyclers Association last week sent a formal letter of complaint to West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw, urging him to stop using the term "junkyard parts" when referring to recycled or salvaged auto parts.
W.Va. officials to appeal redistricting ruling to U.S. SC
Kessler CHARLESTON - Those West Virginia officials named as defendants in a congressional redistricting lawsuit said Thursday they will ask for an immediate stay of a ruling earlier this week and seek an appeal from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Groh, Thacker nominations could see vote in February
Groh WASHINGTON - A University of Richmond law school professor says it is unlikely that Berkeley Circuit Judge Gina Groh or Charleston attorney Stephanie Thacker's nominations will receive a vote by the U.S. Senate before the end of January.
Law firm appeals case over insurance coverage to high court
Richard Lindsay CHARLESTON - A Charleston law firm is asking the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to determine that a circuit court judge erred in granting summary judgment to a legal malpractice insurance company.
Panel to hear congressional redistricting case
King CHARLESTON - A three-judge panel will hear a challenge over the current makeup of West Virginia's three congressional districts next week.
Judge denies Big East's motion to dismiss WVU lawsuit
MORGANTOWN - A Monongalia Circuit Court judge has denied the Big East Conference's motion to dismiss West Virginia University's lawsuit against it.
Judge sides with legal malpractice insurer
Richard Lindsay CHARLESTON - A Kanawha Circuit Court judge says a legal malpractice insurance company owes no duty to defend a Charleston law firm in a claim over missing money.
McGraw sues insurer, body shop for fixing vehicles with bad parts
McGraw CHARLESTON - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw is suing Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. and a St. Albans frame and body shop for allegedly repairing vehicles with junkyard parts.
W.Va. remains third on 'Hellhole' list
Joyce WASHINGTON - Even with a couple of "well-reasoned" decisions by its state Supreme Court this year, West Virginia remains third on an annual list of Judicial Hellholes, according to a new report released Thursday.
Driver at center of All Good lawsuit denies liability
CLARKSBURG - The driver of a pickup truck who allegedly hit a tent and killed a young South Carolina woman at this summer's All Good Music Festival denies he is liable for her death.
Tomblin, Tennant respond in congressional redistricting case
Tomblin MARTINSBURG - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, in a filing in federal court Thursday, argues no relief can be awarded against him in a lawsuit over West Virginia's congressional redistricting plan.
WVU: Big East's motion to dismiss 'poorly veiled' move
LaCagnin MORGANTOWN - Lawyers for West Virginia University called the Big East Conference's legal argument in a motion to dismiss filed last week "self-defeating" and said the conference's move was a "poorly veiled attempt" at changing venues.
McGraw among AGs against mobile call bill
McGraw WASHINGTON - A group of attorneys general, including West Virginia's Darrell McGraw, is urging Congress to reject a bill that it says would allow debt collectors and other businesses to robocall consumers on their cell phones.
Preston court sides with grantee in oil and gas case
Hudkins KINGWOOD - The Preston Circuit Court, charged with determining the ownership of a one-seventh interest in a 225-acre oil and gas tract, last month ruled that the oil and gas passed onto the grantee.
Big East asks court to dismiss WVU lawsuit
MORGANTOWN - Lawyers for the Big East Conference are asking a Monongalia Circuit Court to dismiss West Virginia University's lawsuit against the conference, which was filed in hopes of being able to move to its new home, the Big 12, more quickly.
BrickStreet lawyers say case protects state's business climate
Parker CHARLESTON -- Lawyers at Charleston firm Spilman Thomas & Battle PLLC say a recent case involving their client, workers' compensation insurer BrickStreet Mutual, holds "great importance" for all workers' compensation insurance carriers operating in West Virginia.
C8 panel finds link between DuPont chemical, preeclampsia
Deitzler VIENNA -- A panel of scientists has found there is a "probable link" between exposure to a processing aid chemical that DuPont uses and pregnancy-induced hypertension.