CHARLESTON — Charleston attorney Kristina Thomas Whiteaker has been named the new president of the West Virginia Association for Justice.
Whiteaker, who resides in Pinch, was elected the president for the 2019-2020 year.
Whiteaker said being elected to the position is a great honor for her.
"I am so proud of the good work that our members do, not only on behalf of their clients in their courtroom but also their community service as well," Whiteaker said in an interview with The West Virginia Record. "Our members help West Virginia consumers, workers and business owners who have been hurt or wronged seek justice in the courts."
Whiteaker said WVAJ members are problem solvers and peacekeepers.
"Our work protects citizens' constitutional rights and ensures that the government and big money special interests can't rig the system against West Virginians," Whiteaker said. "It makes all of us safer."
Whitaker said as president, she will work with members and the leadership team to advocate for West Virginia citizens and protect their access to the state's civil justice system.
"Many people do not realize how important and integral our civil justice system and our right to trial by jury are to our freedom and democracy," Whiteaker said. "Our courts serve as important arbiters of fairness in our government, workplaces, and daily lives. An important goal of mine is to educate West Virginians about how our civil justice system protects their individual rights and freedoms."
Whitaker said she looks forward to collaborating with lawmakers, community and business leaders and other groups to protect rights and access to justice in West Virginia.
Whiteaker practices with The Grubb Law Group in Charleston and practices employment law and consumer protection. She is originally from Jackson County.
Whiteaker graduated from West Virginia University College of Law in 2003. She was a member of West Virginia Law Review while there.
Whiteaker also has an undergraduate degree from Marietta College and a master's degree in English literature from Ohio University.
Whiteaker's practice specializes in employment law including discrimination law, wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, disability discrimination; consumer protection law including lemon law, fraud, unfair/deceptive business practices and fair debt collection; and personal injury.