The Governor's Advisory Committee on Judicial Nominations for the Kanawha County Judicial Circuit today presented its recommended list of candidates to Gov. Manchin for consideration, should the seat currently held by Judge Irene Berger become vacant.
Gov. Manchin will choose a successor for Berger in the event she is confirmed for a seat on the federal bench. Gov. Manchin will not name a successor until Berger's post actually becomes vacant. In the interest of expediency and the likelihood that Berger will move to the federal court, Manchin began the selection process in September.
"The governor understands the considerable caseload in the Kanawha County circuit, and believes it was responsible to begin the process, should Judge Berger's seat become vacant," said Jonathan Deem, general counsel for the Governor's Office, and the governor's designee on the advisory committee.
"The advisory committee will consider these candidates and provide recommendations to the governor, but only after the seat becomes vacant. At this point, the governor does not have a vacancy to fill, but in the interest of transparency, we want to provide the list of these well qualified and capable candidates."
The seven candidates are listed below (in alphabetical order):
Brown, Kathy A.
Kathy Brown Law, PLLC
Carter, Phyllis H.
Chief Administrative Law Judge, West Virginia Human Rights Commission
Cecil, David J.
Barth & Thompson
Dooley, Katherine Louise
The Dooley Law Firm, PLLC
Hackney, John G., Jr.
Solo practitioner and Judge, West Virginia State Court of Claims
Tabit, Joanna I.
Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC
Webster, Carrie
Bucci, Bailey & Javins, LC