Hammer named to Intermediate Court of Appeals Advisory Council
SHEPHERDSTOWN — Chief Justice John A. Hutchison, of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, has entered an Administrative Order appointing Judge David M. Hammer to the newly created West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals Advisory Council.
Hammer will represent West Virginia Circuit Court Judges on the Council from the 23rd Judicial Circuit, along with Judge Jennifer F. Bailey, Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit.
The establishment of the Advisory Council occurred on Aug. 31, 2021, to secure participation of stakeholders and subject matter experts, as well as to promote transparency and public engagement in the creation of the new Intermediate Court of Appeals, according to the appointment order issued by Hutchison.
Hammer said he is looking forward to working with Justice Hutchison, who will chair the Advisory Council, as well as fellow council members to ensure that the Legislature’s creation of the Intermediate Court of Appeals succeeds as intended.
Additional members of the Advisory Council appointed by Justice Hutchison’s order include David P. Greenburg, retired Judge of the 24th Family Court Circuit and Judge Peter Conley, of the 18th Family Court Circuit.
Robby J. Aliff, Esquire, and Benjamin L. Bailey, Esquire, will serve as representatives of the West Virginia State Bar while Jessica A. Haught, interim associate dean for Administration at the West Virginia University College of Law and Clinton Adams, legal director of Legal Aid of West Virginia were also appointed.
Representatives of the West Virginia Association for Justice include Anthony Majestro, Esquire and Jonathan Marshall, Esquire. Jill Cranston Rice, Esquire and Mychal Sommer Shulz, Esquire, will represent the Defense Counsel of West Virginia.
Other members appointed to Advisory Council include Lyne Ranson, Esquire, an attorney who specializes in family law; Edwin H. Pancake, Esquire, Tony Stroud, Esquire and Steven K. Wellman, Esquire, all attorneys specializing in workers’ compensation; Beth Suter, Esquire, from the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review; Delegate Moore Capito of the West Virginia House of Delegates; Craig Blair, president of the West Virginia Senate; Lindsay S. See, solicitor general of the Office of the West Virginia Attorney General; James Berkeley Bentley, Esquire, of the Office of General Counsel from the Office of the Governor; and, Allen McVey, West Virginia Commission of Insurance,
Hutchison’s Order also indicates that the Advisory Council will include ex officio members including the Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, the Clerk of the Court, the Administrative Director, the Chief Consel from the Office of Counsel; the Deputy Administrative Directors; the director of the Division of Court Services; the director of the Division of Technology and Facilities Services, and the director of the Division of Legal Services.