John O'Brien News
W.Va. voters want candidates to use taxpayer money, poll shows
Benjamin CHARLESTON -- A recent poll shows that a majority of West Virginia voters support public financing of state Supreme Court elections.
Supreme Court won't hear cheerleading suit
Benjamin CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court will not weigh in on the lawsuit that postponed a high school cheerleading championship.
Duke professor visits Wheeling
Munger
WHEELING - Duke University professor Michael Munger always thought he'd like to live in a place where he could enjoy a hearty share of snowfall.
New judge for Fourth Circuit
Keenan RICHMOND - Virginia Supreme Court Justice Barbara Milano Keenan has been unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate and will become the next judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
McGraw, CMS spar over disputed settlement funds
McGraw CHARLESTON -- West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw and the federal Medicaid agency traded barbs recently when responding to each others' motions for summary judgment in a dispute over settlement funds.
Business court plan moves ahead
Thompson CHARLESTON - The state House Judiciary Committee has advanced plans to create business courts in the state.
Briefs accepted in asbestos lawsuit fraud appeal
Robert Peirce WHEELING (Legal Newsline) - Despite an asbestos firm's wishes, a federal appellate court will allow several groups to file amicus briefs in a lawsuit against it.
Judge remands McGraw's drug-pricing suit
McGraw CHARLESTON - A federal judge has remanded state Attorney General Darrell McGraw's lawsuit against Rite Aid to state court.
McGraw's Bank of America suit transferred
McGraw CHARLESTON - State Attorney General Darrell McGraw's lawsuit against Bank of America has been transferred to a multi-district litigation proceeding in a New York federal court.
Manhattan Institute probes lobbying efforts of lawyers
McGraw NEW YORK - The Manhattan Institute's latest edition in its "Trial Lawyers, Inc.," series explores the effect the plaintiffs bar has on lawmakers at the state level and in Washington, D.C.
Delegate seeks to reform AG practices
McGraw CHARLESTON -- A state Republican lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require funds gained through litigation by the state Attorney General's Office to be placed in the General Revenue Fund.
Chief justice's comments spark outcry
Davis CHARLESTON - Groups are reacting to West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Robin Davis' recently commenting that the state has no need for an intermediate appellate court.
Asbestos firm argues against amicus briefs
Peirce WHEELING - A Pittsburgh law firm accused of conspiring to fabricate an asbestos exposure claim says several groups shouldn't be permitted to file amicus briefs in the case.
Former SC Justice Maynard running for Congress
Maynard CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Former West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard announced Monday that he is running for Congress.
McGraw has other withhold challenge in court
McGraw CHARLESTON (Legal Newsline) -- West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw is also challenging a ruling that withheld almost $500,000 from the state's Medicaid program.
Groups line up to support CSX asbestos appeal
Peirce RICHMOND (Legal Newsline) -- CSX Transportation's appeal in a case alleging a Pittsburgh law firm conspired with a radiologist to fabricate an asbestos exposure claim is drawing attention from tort reform groups and asbestos expert witnesses.
McGraw takes Medicaid withhold to federal court
McGraw CHARLESTON -- State Attorney General Darrell McGraw is challenging an appeals board decision to withhold $2.7 million in Medicaid funds that stems from a $10 million settlement with OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma he engineered in 2004.
Justices say no to rehearing e-mails case
Maynard CHARLESTON - The state Supreme Court has refused to rehear a case involving the privacy of a former justice's e-mails and postponed a decision on a controversial $50 million case.
McGraw hires familiar faces for Bank of America suit
McGraw HUNTINGTON - State Attorney General Darrell McGraw has again hired his brother's nephew to represent the State, this time in an antitrust lawsuit against Bank of America.
Rehearing of two high-profile cases to be determined
Blankenship CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Supreme Court will soon decide whether to rehear two of its more closely watched recent decisions.