Lawrence Smith News
Wheeling attorney faces suspension for using felon to collect debts
CHARLESTON – The state Bar is seeking the suspension of an Ohio County attorney's license for allegedly asking a known felon to obtain a "throw away" gun, and use it in conjunction with collecting debts from former clients.
Magistrate dockets at heart of attorney's dismissed DUI case
Wolfe CHARLESTON – The decision as to whether DUI charges are reinstated against a Charleston attorney awaits a judge's interpretation of how magistrates handle their dockets.
Kanawha man indicted on sex abuse charges
Edmonds CHARLESTON – A grand jury has indicted a youth pastor of an upper Kanawha Valley church for allegedly sexually abusing a former student of the church's affiliated school.
Questions linger about enforcing back child support payments
CHARLESTON – The attorney representing the state of West Virginia in its attempt to collect child support Timothy Edmonds owes to his children in Wisconsin isn't saying what effect, if any, his indictment for sexual abuse has on collection efforts.
Attorney asks to withdraw from Title IX suit
Ranson CHARLESTON – Citing differences with his clients in settling a sex discrimination suit with WVU Tech, a Charleston attorney is asking a federal judge to relieve him as counsel in the case.
Bank, attorney at odds over payment of loan
CHARLESTON – A Charleston attorney says he is baffled as to why, despite making regular and timely payments, he's been named a co-defendant in a lawsuit alleging he "defaulted" on a nearly $500,000 loan.
Judge ignored evidence in divorce, complaint says
Kelly CHARLESTON – A Dunbar man has lodged a complaint against a Kanawha family law judge alleging the judge not only failed to consider evidence of his ex-wife's bigamy during their divorce, but also failed to forward to information to police.
Official: Lakin criminal, civil cases are firsts
Childs POINT PLEASANT – Both a civil and criminal case arising from a former maintenance supervisor having a sexual relationship with an inmate at the Lakin Correctional Center for Women are the first since the facility opened in 2003 and a law passed penalizing sex with inmates, a top correctional official said.
Bar delays action in complaint against man accused of unlawful practice
CHARLESTON – Despite the state Bar postponing action on a complaint it received for alleged unauthorized practice of law, a Hampshire County man now knows the identity of his accuser.
Attorney has past of history of communication failure
Golden CHARLESTON – Even when her telephone is functioning, clients of a South Charleston attorney have had problems communicating with her.
Dismissed complaint at odds with Golden's account
CHARLESTON – Though Ellen Golden will be defending herself against one less ethics complaint with the state Bar, information contained in it seemingly contradicts her claim about her telephone service provider being to blame for not being able to communicate with her bankruptcy clients.
Former Kanawha principal's suit against Charleston attorney dismissed
Evans CHARLESTON – Citing its filing well past the statute of limitations, a Kanawha County magistrate dismissed the small claim suit a former principal filed against her former attorney.
Negligence led to woman's breast cancer, suit claims
Pleasant Valley Hospital is located in Point Pleasant. POINT PLEASANT – A Mason County hospital and two physicians are named in a malpractice suit alleging they failed to properly diagnose a woman for breast cancer.
One med mal suit dismissed, another filed against Point Pleasant urologist
Vaidya POINT PLEASANT – Despite the dismissal of one, a Mason County physician finds himself defending against another malpractice suit.
Cipoletti elevated to chief ODC post
Cipoletti CHARLESTON – A longtime staff member at the Office of Disciplinary Counsel has been named as its new chief.
Hampshire man investigated for unauthorized practice of law
CHARLESTON – The state Bar is investigating a Hampshire County man for practicing law without a license.
HALT lists best judicial discipline practices, top states
CHARLESTON – In a follow-up to its judicial accountability report card, the legal watchdog group Help Abolish Legal Tyranny recently released a 10 best practices list.
State earns passing grade on judicial discipline report card
CHARLESTON – West Virginians have one more reason to exclaim "Thank God for Mississippi."
Jackson Kelly co-sponsoring inaugural hands-on diversity program for West Virginia
CHARLESTON -– One of state's largest law firms is taking a lead role in sponsoring the first-of-its-kind diversity management program in West Virginia.
Complaints lodged against Charleston attorney who previously worked on ODC staff
Golden CHARLESTON – An attorney who assisted the investigation into the alleged misdeeds of other attorneys now finds her own conduct under scrutiny by not only her former employer, but also a federal judge.