Lawrence Smith News
Court suspends Wyoming Co. attorney
CHARLESTON – Believing a public rebuke for his misconduct is not enough, the state Supreme Court has placed a Wyoming County attorney on suspension.
Court disbars Greenbrier public defender for unspecified reasons
CHARLESTON – A Greenbrier County attorney has surrendered his law license though the reasons why remain unknown.
Md. attorney loses W.Va. license
CHARLESTON – As he did last year in his home state, a Maryland attorney has lost his license to practice law in West Virginia.
CIVIL FILINGS: Mason County
Sept. 19
Fla. and Va. attorneys quit state Bar
CHARLESTON – Two out-of-state attorneys have decided to shutter their practices in West Virginia.
Court's ruling in Jefferson deputy's termination could affect Berkeley case
MARTINSBURG – The state Supreme Court's recent decision in a Jefferson County deputy sheriff's termination may have an immediate implication for yet another similar case pending in the lower courts, this time in neighboring Berkeley County.
Ky. woman chases Mothman event after injuries
POINT PLEASANT – A Kentucky woman's fall at an event showcasing one of the state's most famous extraterrestrial creatures has resulted in a lawsuit against its co-hosts.
Suit accuses Albright Jr. again of mishandling estate case
PARKERSBURG – A suspended Wood County attorney is again in legal trouble over his failure to timely settle an estate.
CIVIL FILINGS: Wood County
Sept. 9
CIVIL FILINGS: Jackson County
Sept. 14
CIVIL FILINGS: Mason County
Sept. 19
A year later, suspension begins for Charleston attorney
Smoot CHARLESTON – A Charleston attorney will begin his year-long suspension from the practice of law nearly a year after the state Supreme Court first ordered it.
Court reverses decision upholding Jefferson deputy's termination
CHARLESTON – Because he was not provided a pre-disciplinary hearing, a former Jefferson County sheriff's deputy again will have an opportunity to challenge his firing.
Deputy decision could affect similar Mason case
POINT PLEASANT – The state Supreme Court's recent decision in the appeal of a former Jefferson County deputy sheriff's termination has implications for a pending case in Mason County where a former deputy sheriff there alleges he, too, was not provided a pre-disciplinary hearing prior to his termination.
Court suspends 48 attorneys for CLE violations
CHARLESTON -– Nearly 50 attorneys have had their careers put on hold for failing to take required continuing legal education.
Disbarred Martinsburg attorney seeks reinstatement
Former Martinsburg attorney Keith Wheaton leaves the Berkeley County Judicial Center March 9 following the first day of hearings in his petition to be readmitted the state Bar. (Photo by Lawrence Smith) CHARLESTON – A disbarred Berkeley County attorney is hoping to return to the practice of law to not only earn a steady income, but to also pay court-ordered restitution to his former clients.
Suit accuses officials of enabling rape at Fayette high school
CHARLESTON – A Fayette County couple is accusing school officials of not doing enough to protect their daughter from becoming a rape victim.
Former Alderson cop files discrimination suit
BECKLEY – A former police officer in a Greenbrier County town is alleging officials used financial problems as a pre-text to engage in racial discrimination.
New River Community College again named in discrimination suit
BECKLEY – For the second time in recent months, a southern West Virginia community college is accused of racial discrimination.
Court rules for community college in grievance case
CHARLESTON – The state Supreme Court has sided with New River Community and Technical College in an employment dispute with one of its former instructors, a Wood County attorney.