CHARLESTON – Tributes have been pouring in for former West Virginia Attorney General and Supreme Court Justice Darrell McGraw.
McGraw, 88, died December 7 following a heart attack. He served 20 years as attorney general and 12 as a state Supreme Court justice.
“Darrell was one of my dad’s best friends and an absolute legend in the legal community to lawyers of my generation,” attorney L. Dante diTrapano said. “We just lost one of West Virginia’s great leaders.”
Another attorney also praised McGraw’s larger-than-life impact.
“It’s hard to describe his impact in words, as they seem inadequate,” Teresa Toriseva said. “He fought for West Virginia people and their families his entire life. His 16 years as our attorney general were years of legendary outcomes resulting from his political and legal acumen.
“Personally, he taught me how to win in and out of the courtroom. His impact will continue for me in my work — and for many others who he influenced and inspired.”
West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Tim Armstead praised McGraw’s years of public service.
“Darrell McGraw devoted his life to service in West Virginia’s government through 12 years on the Supreme Court and 20 years as Attorney General,” Armstead said. “He played a key role in an entire generation of jurisprudence in the Mountain State. We honor Justice McGraw’s legacy of service to our state and extend our deepest prayers and sympathies to his wife Jorea and their children during this difficult time.”
Justice Bill Wooton, who will be Chief Justice in 2025, agreed.
“Darrell McGraw’s legacy is an indelible mark on West Virginia’s legal landscape,” Wooton said. “His leadership was evident at an early age; he served as Student Body President at West Virginia University and devoted most of the remainder of his life to public service across all three branches of government. He was a key figure in the administration of Gov. Hulett Smith, a counsel to the Legislature, a former Justice of our Supreme Court and West Virginia’s longest-serving Attorney General.
“A hallmark of his public service was his love of the state of West Virginia and its people. He will be remembered by those who knew him as an inordinately kind and good man.”
Kanawha County Commissioner and former West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant said the state “has lost a one-of-a-kind public servant.
“I had the privilege of working alongside Darrell McGraw,” she posted on X formerly Twitter. “No one had better stories and more pride about West Virginia and Wyoming County. We're still benefiting from his accomplishments and lasting impact he made for West Virginia.”
Retiring U.S. Senator Joe Manchin said McGraw had “a life well lived.”
“His unwavering and steadfast dedication to the rule of law and his lifetime of public service leave a legacy that will live on in West Virginia,” Manchin said on X.
The state Democratic Party praised McGraw, calling him “a tireless advocate for justice, fairness and the people of our great state.”
“Darrell’s work made a lasting impact on our state, and his spirit of public service will continue to inspire generations to come,” the party posted on X. “Rest in peace, Judge McGraw. You will be missed.
“His legacy of service and commitment to our state will never be forgotten.”
Attorney Walt Auvil also praised McGraw.
“I owed Darrell McGraw a lot personally and professionally,” Auvil posted on X. “A true public servant back when we had those in statewide office in West Virginia.”
The president of a group for the state's trial attorneys hailed McGraw's dedication to the state as well.
“For decades, Justice Darrell McGraw served West Virginia and was a tireless advocate on behalf of the people who live and work here,” said Steven Broadwater, president of the West Virginia Association for Justice. “Justice McGraw was a national leader in consumer protection, preserving the rights of injured workers, and holding corporations accountable when people were harmed.
"He was an exceptional advocate, ally and friend."
Attorney General and Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey defeated McGraw in the 2012 AG race.
“My prayers and sympathies go out to the family and friends of Darrell McGraw for their loss,” Morrisey said.
McGraw was born in McGraws-Tipple and graduated from Pineville High School. He served two years in the Army, stationed in Germany, before attending West Virginia University, where he served as student body president and dedicated the mast of the U.S.S. West Virginia on campus. He earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and law degree at WVU.
After serving as counsel to Gov. Hulett Smith and the state Legislature, McGraw was elected to the Supreme Court in 1976. In 1992, he was elected to the first of five four-year terms as Attorney General.
As AG, McGraw played a key role in the 1998 multibillion-dollar State Tobacco Settlement, which secured billions of dollars for West Virginia. And in 2001, McGraw was the first state AG to sue Oxycontin maker Purdue Pharma. Just before trial in November 2004, Purdue agreed to a settlement paying West Virginia $10 million for programs to discourage drug abuse.
McGraw is survived by his wife Jorea Marple and four children. Marple was the state’s first female superintendent of schools.
McGraw’s brother Warren also was a state senator, Supreme Court justice, Wyoming County circuit court judge. Warren McGraw died last year.