News from February 2009
THEIR VIEW: Strengthening our economy through tax relief, spending discipline
Tax and spending reform can lead to greater economic success in our state. Our economy's recovery will be stronger and quicker the more tax relief and spending discipline we exercise. Tax relief and spending discipline will also result in fuller, longer lasting economic growth.
Charleston lawyers again sue yellow pages publisher, debt collectors
Neely CHARLESTON -- Two prominent Charleston lawyers have again filed a lawsuit against the publisher of the Verizon Yellow Pages and a company that collects its debts.
DHHR focus of federal class action suit
CHARLESTON – A child who was diagnosed with a hearing impairment was deprived treatment by a hearing specialist because the treatment was not covered by the West Virginia Medicaid Basic Health Plan.
*** SupCo calendar for 2/23 issue
Motion Docket
No dissents so far in Court's first 10 opinions
Benjamin CHARLESTON – West Virginia's new Supreme Court of Appeals decided its first 10 cases without a single dissent.
PERSONNEL FILE: Two Bowles Rice attorneys named 'Lawyers of the Year'
Murphy CHARLESTON -- For the first time, Best Lawyers, a respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, has selected "Lawyers of the Year" for 2009 in West Virginia. Of the four attorneys so recognized, two are partners with the law firm of Bowles Rice.
McGraw reaches two settlements
McGraw CHARLESTON - State Attorney General Darrell McGraw recently reached a pair of settlements, one with a debt relief company and another with a car dealership.
La. justices to U.S. SC: Don't believe everything you read
Louisiana's Supreme Court justices, from left: Justice Jeannette Theriot Knoll, Justice Jeffrey P. Victory, Justice Catherine D. "Kitty" Kimball, Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr., Justice Bernette J. Johnson, Justice Chet D. Traylor, Justice John L. Weimer WASHINGTON -- The Louisiana Supreme Court wants to make sure its name isn't dragged through the mud during a key judicial recusal case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
ALL THINGS JURY: Jury selection insights, Part Two
CHARLESTON -- When professionally conducted, jury research can reveal attitudinal and lifestyle questions that may be utilized during the voir dire process.
THEIR VIEW: Leveraging our investment in behavioral health care
CHARLESTON -- In today's world, if an investment advisor told you that you can leverage your initial investment of $1 million with a return of an $3 million in gains guaranteed within a year and that you also will likely receive dividends of $1 million at the end of same year, you might check his credentials to see if his last name is "Madoff."
Harron, others named in Miss. suit over asbestos scheme
Ray Harron LEXINGTON, Miss. – With one and a half million asbestos claims fading into twilight on the East Coast, a defendant seeks accountability in Mississippi from lawyers, doctors and hustlers who manufactured the claims.
PERSONNEL FILE: Flaherty, Sensabaugh & Bonasso welcomes Gaudio to firm
Gaudio WHEELING -- Robert J. Gaudio has joined the law firm of Flaherty, Sensabaugh & Bonasso as Of Counsel in the firm's Wheeling office.
PERSONNEL FILE: Bowles Rice announces new partner in energy department
CHARLESTON -- Eric L. Calvert has returned to the law firm of Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love, according to Managing Partner Thomas A. Heywood.
CALA says U.S. News report shows more need for reform
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."
Southern Region Drug Court expands service area
PRINCETON -– The Southern Region Drug Court Program that has previously served only Mercer County is expanding to serve McDowell, Monroe, Summers, and Wyoming Counties.
McGraw's claims against Eli Lilly dwindling
McGraw NEW YORK -- West Virginia has agreed to drop its request for civil penalties for any acts committed before 2002 by Eli Lilly & Co. regarding its antipsychotic drug Zyprexa.
PERSONNEL FILE: Rubenstein named managing partner of Dinsmore & Shohl's Morgantown office
T. Rubenstein MORGANTOWN -- Dinsmore & Shohl is pleased to announce that F. Thomas Rubenstein has been named the office managing partner for the firm's Morgantown office.
Clifford stamp ceremony is Feb. 20 at state Capitol
Clifford CHARLESTON –- J.R. Clifford belongs on a postal stamp because, 111 years ago, he carved into West Virginia law the right of full education for descendants of slaves.
State must submit plan to prevent juvenile racial injustice
CHARLESTON – West Virginia leaders must convince the U.S. Department of Justice that they can prevent racial discrimination in juvenile justice or they will lose a portion of their federal funds.
Change McGraw's hiring practices, CALA says
McGraw CHARLESTON - While a legislative audit recently shined a light on the hiring practices of the state, a legal reform group is still more worried about Attorney General Darrell McGraw's.