John O'Brien News
Change McGraw's hiring practices, CALA says
McGraw CHARLESTON - While a legislative audit recently shined a light on the hiring practices of the state, a legal reform group is still more worried about Attorney General Darrell McGraw's.
Ala. AG files brief in support of W.Va. chief justice
King CHARLESTON - Five more amicus briefs were filed with the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday in West Virginia's judicial recusal issue, including one by Alabama Attorney General Troy King.
Eli Lilly makes move with McGraw's Medicaid claims gone
McGraw NEW YORK -- Because the State of West Virginia is no longer seeking recovery for any actual damage done to its health care programs, much of its remaining claim must be dropped, attorneys for pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co. are arguing.
McGraw settles Countrywide suit
McGraw HUNTINGTON - State Attorney General Darrell McGraw and Countrywide Financial Corp. have settled a lawsuit that alleged the company issued home loans it knew its customers could not afford.
Benjamin recuses himself from Massey cases
Benjamin CHARLESTON -- While he waits for the U.S. Supreme Court to make a decision on his recusal policy, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin is disqualifying himself from any cases involving a major campaign contributor.
Federal judge lets McGraw ruling stand
McGraw CHARLESTON -- A federal judge has denied a request by Capital One to alter his ruling in a dispute over West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw's investigation into it.
Ala. AG King defends stance in Benjamin case
King MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) -- Alabama Attorney General Troy King would prefer it if those criticizing his brief in support of West Virginia Chief Justice Brent Benjamin would hold off until they read it.
Even bigger bucks coming from Eli Lilly?
Ramza-Kutz CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - The recent $1.4 billion settlement into which Eli Lilly & Co. entered with the federal government and more than 30 states may benefit those states like West Virginia that have been holding out on an agreement, a Chicago attorney recently opined.
Caperton always opposed Benjamin being on W.Va. SC
Benjamin CHARLESTON -- The man challenging state Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin's ability to hear certain cases apparently never wanted Benjamin on the Court anyway.
AGs to weigh in on recusal case
King CHARLESTON - A group of state attorneys general soon may come to the aid of state Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin.
Benjamin talks issues facing high court
Benjamin CHARLESTON - State Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin recently said the reputations of public officials can be unfairly linked to independent groups that support them.
Massey appealing fine to W.Va. SC
Blankenship CHARLESTON -- State Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin may soon have to decide if he plans to recuse himself from another case involving his largest campaign supporter.
Federal judges uphold restrictions on W.Va. lottery
McGraw RICHMOND, Va. -- A three-member panel of federal appellate judges has sided with state Attorney General Darrell McGraw's argument that certain advertising restrictions on the video lottery industry should be maintained.
Chief Justice Benjamin not receiving much support in Massey recusal issue
Benjamin WASHINGTON -- West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin's decision not to step down from a $50 million case involving a campaign supporter is drawing input from several interested groups, including his colleagues from other states.
McGraw part of AG group settling with insurance broker
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia' Darrell McGraw and eight other state attorneys general settled with insurance broker Marsh & McLennan on Monday, resolving four-year-old allegations of bid-rigging for a collective $7 million.
Starcher files dissent during last days as justice
Starcher CHARLESTON - On his way off the state Supreme Court, former Justice Larry Starcher explained why he feels an Ohio man should be able to file a lawsuit against an Illinois-based insurance company in a West Virginia court.
Law firm wants out-of-state asbestos claims heard in W.Va.
Peirce WASHINGTON - A Pittsburgh firm is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that West Virginia courts should open their doors for out-of-state visitors with asbestos claims.
ATRF report focuses on actions of plaintiffs bar
Joyce WASHINGTON - Aside from ranking judicial hellholes, the American Tort Reform Foundation is highlighting what it feels is a movement by plaintiffs attorneys to influence elected officials.
W.Va. again the biggest judicial hellhole, tort reform group says
Joyce WASHINGTON - For the second time in three years, West Virginia has been singled out as the nation's most unfair legal environment by the American Tort Reform Foundation.
Chamber begins frivolous lawsuit awareness campaign
Rickard WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A campaign by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform says frivolous lawsuits are harming small businesses and the families that rely on them.