CHARLESTON – West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse's board of directors has elected Greenbrier County small business owner Duane Zobrist to serve as board chairman again for 2016.
“I’m excited to serve as chairman of the board of directors of WV CALA for a second year," Zobrist said. "Our 30,000 grassroots members led the effort to encourage legislators to support much-needed lawsuit reforms during this year’s legislative session.
"Thanks to Senate President Bill Cole and House Speaker Tim Armstead’s leadership, we are taking major steps to address the notorious labels that have been associated with our lawsuit system for many years. As a job creator with dozens of employees, I understand the direct impact that abusive lawsuits can have on a small business and our community."
Zobrist is the owner of an outdoor adventures company that operates recreational and team-building activities in Greenbrier Country and other areas. He also owns several other small businesses and leads a speaking, consulting, and organizational performance firm focusing on business, family and collegiate leadership.
“Thanks to the support and leadership of Duane Zobrist, our board of directors, and our grassroots members, many much-needed lawsuit reforms became law this year," WV CALA Executive Director Roman Stauffer said. "These reforms will ensure all litigants are treated fairly and impartially.
"However, our work is not done. West Virginia continues to be the only state in the country that doesn’t provide an appeal of right for either civil or criminal litigants. Our state is one of nine that doesn’t have an intermediate court of appeals. We are hopeful the legislature addresses these legal appeal issues in 2016 to ensure West Virginia’s court system better serves Mountain State citizens."