News from February 2009
AG's office says Tax officials can monitor raffle slots
McGraw CHARLESTON -– Attorney General Darrell McGraw's office has ruled State Tax Department officials have legal authority to monitor and crack down on illegal raffle slot machines in the state.
Frito-Lay gender discrimination suit moved to federal court
HUNTINGTON –- A Kentucky woman's lawsuit against Frito-Lay in which she alleges she was terminated because of gender discrimination has been moved to federal court.
Judges must resolve old fee disputes in settlements, Justices rule
Davis CHARLESTON – When West Virginia circuit judges approve settlements, they must resolve any fee disputes between lawyers and previous lawyers, the Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Netflix, Wal-Mart targets of federal class action case
CHARLESTON –- West Virginia has joined a series of class action lawsuits filed across the country against Netflix and Wal-Mart that allege the two companies conspired to raise prices and to eliminate competition in the DVD sales and online rental market.
Justices won't hear appeal of Dunbar mayor
CHARLESTON -- The state Supreme Court has opted not to hear an appeal of former Dunbar Mayor Roger Wolfe.
Raleigh woman says wrongly fired her from MSHA job
BECKLEY -- A Raleigh County woman alleges she was terminated from her job as a maid at the Mine Safety and Health Administration after attempting to bring awareness to illegal practices.
Sears seeks to have slip-and-fall case dismissed
BLUEFIELD –- Sears claims the federal court should dismiss a suit against it in which a woman is seeking more than $1 million after she claims she slipped and fell in a Kmart store.
Seth, Prenter residents file suits against coal companies over water
MADISON –- At least 45 Seth and Prenter residents have filed complaints in Boone Circuit Court against eight coal companies, claiming they face serious health problems after their water supply was allegedly contaminated due to nearby mining operations.
THEIR VIEW: 'Oscar-worthy' films help portray state's legal backdrop
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.
World court judge to speak at WVU on international law, human rights
MORGANTOWN -- The treatment of prisoners detained at Guantanamo Bay and questionable government practices raise several important questions about whether the U.S. must comply with international human rights laws in a time of war.
New board chair says Brickstreet soon might expand to other states
Flaherty CHARLESTON -- Under newly elected Board of Directors Chairman Thomas Flaherty, BrickStreet soon might find itself expanding to serve customers in other states.
PERSONNEL FILE: Haydo joins Spilman Thomas & Battle
Haydo CHARLESTON -- The law firm of Spilman Thomas & Battle is pleased to announce that Matthew D. Haydo has joined the firm.
PERSONNEL FILE: Steptoe & Johnson labor and employment practiced ranked fifth largest in country
CLARKSBURG -- Law360, a national newswire for business lawyers, has issued its 2009 edition of Litigation Almanac, in which Steptoe & Johnson ranks fifth in the country among general practice firms with the highest concentration of employment attorneys.
PERSONNEL FILE: Bowles Rice again named a 'Go-To Law Firm'
CHARLESTON -- Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love has been named a "Go-To Law Firm" for the second consecutive year by Corporate Counsel magazine, which conducted a survey of the general counsel at the top 500 companies in the United States.
PERSONNEL FILE: Three lawyers admitted to practice in W.Va.
CHARLESTON -- Three lawyers were admitted to practice law in the State of West Virginia during a ceremony before the Supreme Court of Appeals on Feb. 4.
Show us the proof, McGraw
We think it's a fair request.
When a person suing you claims being damaged by what you did, there needs to be evidence of that damage -- proof that what's claimed to have happened, actually did.
Charleston physician named in wrongful death suit
CHARLESTON - A Charleston physician's failure to perform tests on a Hernshaw man for heart complications resulted in his premature death, a lawsuit alleges.
Putnam man files false arrest suit against Ravenswood, officer
Karr RIPLEY - A Putnam County man is suing a Jackson County municipality and one of its police officers alleging he was falsely arrested on obstruction charges last year.
Dominion to pay about 25,000 under oil, gas well settlement
CHARLESTON – Dominion Transmission will send checks to about 25,000 owners and lessors of oil and gas wells under settlement of a class action suit in U.S. District Court.
CALA questions Stowers fundraiser
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.