CHARLESTON — Kanawha Circuit Court Judge Maryclaire Akers has been appointed to the state's Business Court Division to replace Wayne Circuit Judge James H. Young Jr.
Young, who had served on the court since it began in 2013, asked to not be reappointed when his term ended on Dec. 31.
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Evan Jenkins appointed Akers to a seven-year term that will end on Dec. 31, 2028.
Akers
"I thank Judge Young for his years of service on the Business Court and Judge Akers for accepting the appointment," Jenkins said. "Judge Akers will be an excellent addition to this hard-working group of judges who take on Business Court Division cases in addition to their regular dockets and receive no additional pay for doing so."
Akers said she was looking forward to serving.
"I appreciate the confidence the Supreme Court has shown in me with this appointment," Akers said. "I look forward to working with my peers across the state in important matters that impact West Virginia businesses."
Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Judge Michael D.Lorensen, who is chair of the Business Court Division, is welcoming of Akers joining the division
"I am delighted to have Judge Akers join the Business Court Division," Lorensen said. "I am looking forward to working with her. I appreciate her willingness to help us."
Akers has practiced law in Kanawha County for more than 20 years.
The Business Court Division specializes in business litigation within the circuit court system in the state.
The division chair assigns one of the division judges as the presiding judge over the case after the Supreme Court chief justice reviews all motions to refer the case. There are seven judges on the division who serve seven-year terms.
The current division judges include Lorensen, whose term ends in 2026; Judge Charles Carl III, whose term ends at the end of this year; Judge Jennifer Dent, whose term ends in 2025, Judge Paul Farrell, whose term ends in 2023; Judge Shawn D. Nines, whose term ends in 2027; and Senior Status Judge Christopher Wilkes, whose term ends in 2024.
