WASHINGTON – For the first time, West Virginia doesn’t rank 49th or 50th in a national survey ranking states’ legal climates. The Mountain State comes in at 45th in the survey released Sept. 12 by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform. In the 10 previous surveys that span 15 year, West Virginia either ranked 49th or 50th. It was 50th in the last six surveys, dating back to 2006 (also 2015, 2012, 2010, 2008 and 2007).
HUNTINGTON – The Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce presented its Spirit of Enterprise Award to Congressman Evan Jenkins on June 1 at Huntington Steel & Supply.
WASHINGTON – Gov. Jim Justice has signed a bill making key changes to the West Virginia Consumer Credit Protection Act, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is praising the move. Justice signed Senate Bill 563 into law on April 24. Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), said the law will further reduce frivolous lawsuits and improve the business climate in the state of West Virginia.
An unprecedented amount of outside money was poured into the election for the West Virginia Attorney General election to shore up incumbent Patrick Morrisey’s position.
CHARLESTON – A statewide legal reform group is celebrating Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week, but a group for trial lawyers denounced it as another effort to take away West Virginians’ right to a jury trial.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform is pushing Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to sign legislation providing transparency to how the state Attorney General's office operates. ILR President Lisa A. Rickard applauded the state Legislature for passing House Bill 4007, which promotes transparency and limits contingency fees when the AG's office hires outside private plaintiffs’ lawyers.
The copyright fight over a monkey’s selfies and damages sought from a family hug topped the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s annual list of the most frivolous lawsuits.
WASHINGTON – West Virginia no longer is a Judicial Hellhole. The Mountain State, which perennially has been at or near the top of the American Tort Reform Association's annual list, has been moved to the "Watch List," according to the report released Thursday. In discussing West Virginia, the ATRA report commends state lawmakers for enacting reforms that it says has helped the state. "In an encouraging move that may yet stall, perennial Judicial Hellhole West Virginia has dramatically managed
By CHRIS DICKERSON CHARLESTON – To help shine a spotlight on the importance of small businesses in West Virginia and what it calls the harm these businesses can face from abusive lawsuits, West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse has kicked off of its Small Business Summer Tour. “We are very excited to kick off our third annual statewide tour to highlight how lawsuit abuse can hurt small businesses," WV CALA Executive Director Roman Stauffer said.
CHARLESTON – To help shine a spotlight on the importance of small businesses in West Virginia and what it calls the harm these businesses can face from abusive lawsuits, West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse has kicked off of its Small Business Summer Tour.
CHARLESTON – The first Republican-controlled session of the West Virginia Legislature in decades is in the books, and tort reforms were a key focal point.
CHARLESTON – A local attorney testified before a U.S. Senate committee on Feb. 11, regarding a National Labor Relations Board regulation that will soon take effect.
CHARLESTON – Small and local businesses are a staple to communities across West Virginia, but many such businesses feel threatened by abusive lawsuits, which can be very costly even if they are meritless.
WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives recently passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve our nation’s water infrastructure, such as dams, locks, ports, navigation channels and inland waterways.
WHEELING -- West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse has started its Small Business Summer Tour, which is designed to shine a spotlight on the plight of small businesses and the negative impact of abusive lawsuits.
