News from June 2008
YOUR LEGAL WRITES: Required summer reading for lawyers
The headmaster of an exclusive, private boy's school in Massachusetts recently issued a statement on the institution's Web site explaining the reasons behind a mandatory summer reading program.
Justices say judge must reinstate verdict in major flood case
CHARLESTON – Raleigh Circuit Judge John Hutchison must reinstate a jury verdict blaming Western Pocahontas Properties for damage from a flood that struck near Mullens in 2000, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
Election bill at center of controversy
Webster CHARLESTON – A state legal watchdog group is unhappy with proposed legislation that would force it to reveal its largest financial backers if it wants to make campaign contributions, claiming it is a violation of its right to free speech.
Karlin is new president of W.Va. Association for Justice
Karlin CHARLESTON -– Morgantown attorney Allan N. Karlin was named president of the West Virginia Association for Justice at the organization's annual meeting recently in Charleston.
PERSONNEL FILE: Jackson Kelly lawyers, practices recognized by Chambers USA
CHARLESTON -- Jackson Kelly is pleased to announce that 15 of the firm's West Virginia lawyers have been ranked as leaders in their field in the Chambers USA 2008 Guide to America's Leading Business Lawyers.
Supreme Court Law Library to host "Changing Your Name" workshop
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia State Law Library will present a FREE workshop titled "Changing Your Name" at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 28.
Two doctors, hospital sued by woman's estate
WINFIELD – The estate of a woman has sued two doctors and the former Putnam General Hospital, blaming them for her death.
Kanawha woman sues Kroger after slip, fall in Charleston store
CHARLESTON - A Kanawha County woman has filed a suit against a local grocery store after she slipped and fell in the store, and was injured.
Logan Court employees participate in 'Aracoma Story'
LOGAN -– A Logan County Circuit Court law clerk and court reporter and their spouses are participants in this year's production of "The Aracoma Story" outdoor drama at Chief Logan State Park.
THEIR VIEW: Legitimate lawsuit abuse
CHARLESTON -- I have been a member of the Bar since 1967, yet I have personally filed only two lawsuits.
THEIR VIEW: McGraw's campaign contributors getting rich
CHARLESTON -- The McGraw camp took a beating in the press lately on their ridiculous settlement practices. And, I'm sure they are all losing sleep over it.
Monongalia man lists 79 companies in asbestos suit
CHARLESTON - A Monongalia County man has filed a suit against 79 companies, after he contracted asbestosis and mesothelioma.
PERSONNEL FILE: Jenkins Fenstermaker legal assistant attains national certification
HUNTINGTON -- Judith Browning, paralegal with the law firm of Jenkins Fenstermaker, was awarded the Certified Legal Assistant designation by NALA, National Association of Legal Assistants Inc., May 2008.
Widow names 35 companies in asbestos suit
CHARLESTON - Mary Kathryn Black, widow of steelworker Steve Black, claims in a Kanawha County suit that he died because 35 companies exposed him to asbestos.
Mylan sued by woman's estate for overdose death
CHARLESTON - A state pharmaceutical company is being sued by the estate of a woman who died after she was accidentally overdosed with a drug distributed by the company.
THEIR VIEW: In defense of democracy and marriage
CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Gazette's characterization of the democratic process in action as, "a clever ploy: using prejudice against gays to reap ... votes" (Gazette, "Storm" 6/13/08) insults democracy.
Wind turbine benefits outweight local opposition, Justices say
CHARLESTON – Benefits of wind turbines on ridge tops in Greenbrier County outweigh local opposition, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled June 23.
Judge wants to see Maynard e-mails for himself
Canterbury CHARLESTON – Kanawha Circuit Judge Duke Bloom will read e-mails from offices of Chief Justice Spike Maynard and decide if the rest of the world can read them.
Widow seeks $1.4 million from VA after husband's death
HUNTINGTON -- A Logan County woman has filed a case against the United States of America after her husband's misdiagnosis by the Veterans' Administration Hospital in Huntington.
Benjamin dissents in case about shackling prisoner witnesses
Benjamin CHARLESTON – Retired Cabell Circuit Judge L. D. Egnor did not violate Gary Gibson's rights by ordering shackles on defense witnesses at his murder conspiracy trial, according to Justice Brent Benjamin of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.