News from January 2009
THEIR VIEW: Mona Lisa frowns
CHARLESTON -- Picture this. A young woman, appearing to be about 13 years old, stumbles into a medical clinic. Her hair has been pulled out in places. Her clothes torn. She bleeds from her face, has scratches all over her torso, and bears bruises that are the hallmarks of sexual abuse. Her face expresses the fear that is unique to someone having just been raped by a man more than twice her age.
New Mercer judge to be sworn in on Jan. 16
CHARLESTON -– Omar J. Aboulhosn will be sworn into office as the third judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Mercer County on Jan. 16 in a courtroom at the Mercer County Courthouse in Princeton.
Cigarette company agrees to stop distributing decorative sign
HARTFORD, Conn. -- New Mexico-based Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company,the maker of Natural American Spirit tobacco products, has reached an agreement with 41 states to stop distributing a promotional sign that violates the 1998 tobacco settlement.
Chief Justice Benjamin not receiving much support in Massey recusal issue
Benjamin WASHINGTON -- West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin's decision not to step down from a $50 million case involving a campaign supporter is drawing input from several interested groups, including his colleagues from other states.
Wheeling attorney joins Pa. firm as W.Va. partner
Hill PHILADELPHIA -- Prominent Wheeling attorney Barry Hill has joined Anapol, Schwartz, Weiss, Cohan, Feldman and Smalley as its resident partner in West Virginia.
PERSONNEL FILE: Salsbery joins Dinsmore & Shohl's Charleston office
CHARLESTON -- Dinsmore & Shohl is pleased to announce that H.F. Salsbery has joined the firm as a partner in the Litigation Department.
Kanawha judge King back on bench after October retirement
CHARLESTON -- Kanawha Circuit Judge Charles King is back on the bench after resigning in October.
PERSONNEL FILE: Dinsmore & Shohl announces two new partners in Charleston
CINCINNATI -– Dinsmore & Shohl is pleased to announce 11 new partners, including two at its Charleston office.
McGraw part of AG group settling with insurance broker
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia' Darrell McGraw and eight other state attorneys general settled with insurance broker Marsh & McLennan on Monday, resolving four-year-old allegations of bid-rigging for a collective $7 million.
Starcher files dissent during last days as justice
Starcher CHARLESTON - On his way off the state Supreme Court, former Justice Larry Starcher explained why he feels an Ohio man should be able to file a lawsuit against an Illinois-based insurance company in a West Virginia court.
Ohio widow's suit blames two doctors for man's death
Cabell Huntington Hospital HUNTINGTON -- An Ironton, Ohio, woman has filed a federal suit on behalf of her deceased husband against Cabell Huntington Hospital, the Marshall University Board of Governors and two doctors, alleging her husband died after doctors failed to properly diagnose his disease.
Charleston law firm merges with one from Pittsburgh
Tinsley CHARLESTON -- After more than four years of talk, a merger between Pittsburgh-based Eckert Seamans Cherin and Mellott and Charleston-based Hendrickson and Long has become a reality.
Sanctuary owner, DNR reach agreement
ELKINS – Wildlife sanctuary owner Joel Rosenthal can capture wild animals anywhere in West Virginia and rehabilitate them on his farm near Hillsboro under an agreement he reached with Division of Natural Resources director Frank Jezioro.
Tax Dept. attorney sued by former client for legal malpractice
Golden CHARLESTON – Now that she is gainfully employed, a Sissonville man seeks to dip into the salary a South Charleston attorney now receives at her state job for her alleged failure to file his bankruptcy case.
Judge used powers to squelch criticism of family law matters, complaint alleges
CHARLESTON – Alleging an unlawful practice of law complaint filed against him earlier this year was a ruse to silence his criticism of the state's family law system, a Hampshire County man has filed an ethics complaint against an eastern panhandle judge for abusing her authority.
Hospital right in firing worker, Justices rule
CHARLESTON – Williamson Memorial Hospital managers properly terminated a brand new employee whose special treatment upset other workers, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled on Dec. 12.
Family sues over son's injuries from fight at Hurricane High
PUTNAN COUNTY -- After their son received a fractured jaw and paralysis of his lower lip while attending Hurricane High School, an Arizona couple has filed suit against the Putnam County Board of Education and the family whose son allegedly caused the injury.