Cohen CHARLESTON -- A state legal reform group is citing a recent report showing West Virginia last nationwide in job creation as another reason legislators should try to fix the state's "broken lawsuit system."
Standing in front of House Speaker Rick Thompson (D-Wayne), Gov. Joe Manchin delivers his State of the State address Feb. 11. (Photo courtesy of the governor's office) CHARLESTON – In his State of the State address, Gov. Joe Manchin said he will sign an executive order to create a commission to study ways to modernize the state's court system.
CHARLESTON – The Academy Awards are approaching, and it's time for the 2009 list of award-nominated motion pictures with titles illustrating West Virginia's broken lawsuit system.
Stowers CHARLESTON –- A statewide legal reform group says it is waving a red flag over a January campaign fundraiser for new Putnam Circuit Judge Phillip M. Stowers.
CHARLESTON -- It's a new day for West Virginia. The state Ethics Commission has a new director. Against the backdrop of pay-to-play antics in the governors' offices of Illinois and New Mexico, the Mountain State can set a tone for conduct in public office as pure as the driven snow.
CHARLESTON -– The recommendation of West Virginia's two U.S. Senators of Kanawha Circuit Judge Irene Berger to the federal judgeship held by retiring U.S. District Judge David Faber is being applauded by a statewide legal reform group.
Berger CHARLESTON -– The recommendation of West Virginia's two U.S. Senators of Kanawha Circuit Judge Irene Berger to the federal judgeship held by retiring U.S. District Judge David Faber is being applauded by a statewide legal reform group.
CHARLESTON -- If now notorious Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is allowed to take his parrot with him if he ends up in the federal penitentiary, you can bet the cellblock will be serenaded with "Pay to Play, Bawwwwwwwwwk! Pay to Play! Pay to Play! Bawwwwwwwwwk!"
CHARLESTON -- Just weeks before Christmas, retiring Justice Larry Starcher was made a "Distinguished West Virginian," presumably because, in the words of the award, he has "brought positive attention to our state."
CHARLESTON -- At a meeting of the National Governors Association in Washington last winter, Gov. Joe Manchin was reportedly in the company of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor who, the word is, shared unflattering observations about the reputation of West Virginia's courts.
Cohen NEW CUMBERLAND – As Circuit Judge Ronald Wilson awarded $3.9 million to lawyers who secured a $12.2 million statewide sales tax holiday on appliances, he blistered a court critic who asked for an accounting of the work the lawyers performed.
Workman CHARLESTON -- The head of a statewide legal reform group has criticized a fundraiser supporters of newly elected Supreme Court Justice Margaret Workman held to help her pay off campaign debts of $78,982.
Cohen CHARLESTON -- A statewide legal reform group says West Virginia's move back to the top of the "Judicial Hellhole" standings underscores the need for reform
McKenzie CHARLESTON -– A statewide legal reform group has named Republican state Senator Andy McKenzie its "Watchdog of the Year" for raising questions about the attorney general's spending of lawsuit settlement dollars.
Hurney CHARLESTON -- Forcing losers in lawsuits to pay the winner would help stem the tide of frivolous lawsuits flooding many U.S. jurisdictions, a new report says.
CHARLESTON -- While the economic downturn this holiday season has households everywhere retooling their Christmas shopping lists, a handful of West Virginians likely will be plotting a luxury retail bonanza.
McGraw CHARLESTON -- About half of the personal injury lawyers who contributed to Attorney General Darrell McGraw's 2008 re-election campaign with large contributions have worked as special assistant AGs for his office.